NPS Photo- Bryan Petrtyl The rivers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve offer a scenic and remote backcountry experience. Boats provide an incredible way to move through the mountains and experience one of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet. There are, however, considerations that must be taken on Alaskan rivers that don’t apply elsewhere. If your group is uncomfortable with the inherent risk of any of these hazards, we recommend reaching out to a guide service. Hazards:Cold Water - The rivers in Wrangell St- Elias National Park are primarily fed by glaciers and snow melt. This means they are very cold, sometimes just a couple degrees above freezing at their headwaters! Dry suits, layers, and a way to heat up fast (stove, sleeping bag, hand warmers) are all recommended on trips in the park. Wood - Wood hazards (strainers and sweepers) are present on all rivers in the park. Thanks in part to constant erosion of riverbanks, trees falling into or leaning over rivers is commonplace. Situational awareness and prompt action is imperative to mitigate wood hazards. Silt - Due to glacial silt suspended in the river water, most underwater obstacles cannot be seen. Rivers range in color and turbidity and often rocks and wood hazards beneath the surface are challenging to identify. Water reading skills are necessary for a safe river experience.
Environmental considerations (sun/rain) - Contrary to most other places, Alaskan rivers are at their highest sustained flows during hot sunny periods in the middle of the summer when the glaciers are putting out the most meltwater. For the same reasons, in warm weather river discharge is often highest later in the day. When looking at the weather forecast, be aware of this correlation and plan accordingly. Rivers are also prone to large and destructive flooding events when the terrain becomes saturated after sustained periods of rain. Remote - Very few rivers in the park are accessed via the road system. Most are either fly in or hike in experiences. This means that typically you encounter very few people. It also means that in the event of an emergency, help is a long way off. It is encouraged to plan trips that are well within the skill/experience level of everyone in the group and discuss contingency plans and resources prior to getting on the river. Fast/Continuous - Most of the rivers in the park are characterized by a gravelly and ever-changing stream bed. Rivers are fast and do not have many large/defined eddies to regroup in or recover after a swim. Practice swimming in your dry suit/PFD in glacial water is recommended prior to launch. Changing River channels - Geologically speaking the rivers in the park are young, and for many their glacial headwaters are rapidly changing. This means they are incredibly dynamic. They are not set in bedrock river channels and many of them are characterized by multiple braids. Channels change seasonally, and sometimes daily due to water levels, bank erosion, stream bed erosion, and flooding events. They can move laterally great distances and even create new pathways through adjacent forest. No two floats are identical, and it is important to be able to identify and avoid hazards. 
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If you are on a self-guided river trip keep these hazards in mind and have a plan in place to mitigate them. Happy boating! For information to plan a river trip, please email a backcountry ranger at wrst_backcountry@nps.gov 
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Last updated: September 17, 2025