Whitewater Rafting in a National Park

The Chilikadrotna River flows through the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve from the Twin Lakes. It is one of many ideal fishing spots in Alaska. The national park, located in the southeastern part of the state, became a national monument in 1978 and then a national park in 1980. The park has more than 3.6 million acres, and features numerous lakes, one of which is Lake Clark, measuring more than 40 miles long. The park is filled with waterfalls, active volcanoes, and glaciers. The Chilikadrotna runs 60 miles west through forests into western Alaska, where is joins with the Mulchatna River. The river is a popular destination for whitewater rafters. The first 8 miles are categorized as Class I to Class II. The next 31 miles are all Class II and Class III rapids. There are numerous challenges along the whitewater course including boulders, sweepers, and rocky rapids, as well as a variety of twists and turns. There is a stretch of the river that drops 50 feet within one mile of travel. About five miles from the Mulchatna River there is a Class III rapid. The final 21 miles of the river are Class I, leading into the Mulchatna, which is all Class I. This is a thrilling rafting river and a scenic trip rafters will remember for a long time to come.