Basics
- Class:
- Class III-IV
- River Length
- 28 miles
- Time:
- 1/2-1 day
- Season:
- June to July
Description
A day trip down the Klutina River is an excellent way to experience the wilderness of Wrangell St Elias National Park and navigate through exciting whitewater without a big time commitment.
The Klutina River drains the glaciers and snowfields of the Chugach Mountains and flows heavy with glacial silt. A tributary to the Copper River, the Klutina River meanders through majestic Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve and features intermediate and advanced level rapids along its entire length. The Klutina River’s powerful and cold waters surge seaward through a constricted river canyon packed with waves and big hydraulics.
The Klutina River is perhaps best known for its impressive fishery. The river contains King Salmon, Dolly Varden, Red Salmon and Arctic Grayling, allowing for world-class fishing. In addition, wildlife is often seen along the Klutina River’s heavily forested banks, including Moose, Bear and Eagle.
The Klutina is accessed via Klutina Lake located off the Richardson Highway from Valdez. The river flows conveniently to the hamlet of Copper Center, located at the edge of Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, where visitors take-out and are shuttled back to Valdez.
