Copper River

America Outdoors outfitters provide numerous activities on the Copper River, including kayaking, whitewater rafting, family trips, fishing and educational programs.

WHITEWATER RAFTING 

The Copper River is a large glacial river with mostly Class I and II water. From the Tazlina River to the confluence with the Chitina River, the Copper meanders through a valley sided with forested bluffs. The river is braided for the most part and navigating the main channel is necessary to keep from running aground on gravel bars. Waves and holes along various stretches make for exciting travel.

From Chitina, the river cuts through the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound on the Gulf of Alaska. High winds along this stretch of the route can make travel difficult. It is recommended to travel in the morning as the winds tend to come up in the afternoon, blowing dust along the gravel bars and making downstream travel almost impossible at times. Just south of Chitina, the Copper passes through Wood Canyon, a scenic section of fast water. Beyond Wood Canyon is the Haley Creek hydraulic which can be avoided by staying river-left. There are numerous campspots with clearwater streams along the way, and also scenic and historic areas that make for interesting side-trips. Near the confluence with the Bremner River, the river braids extensively, and the main channels are usually found toward river-right.

Approximately 8 miles before the Million Dollar Bridge are the Abercrombie Rapids, a series of large waves and fast water. This area can be avoided by staying on river-right, although some rough water may be encountered here as well. Beyond the rapids is Miles Lake, an area of slow, flat water. This area is very scenic as the lake is bounded by the Miles Glacier to the east.

FISHING

Copper River Salmon are some of the finest salmon in the marketplace today. Typically the first salmon commercially harvested in Alaska each year, these robust fish fetch a high price in restaurants across the nation. In some years, in excess of one million Copper River salmon are taken commercially. While the commercial salmon fishing occurs outside of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park near the mouth of the river, many of these fish originated from within the Park/Preserve and are attempting to return to their birth streams or lakes to spawn. In addition to providing for subsistence, sport harvest, and other visitor experiences, these returning salmon play an important role in the natural ecosystem.