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MARSH FORK/CANNING RIVER RAFTING Wilderness Wildlife & Birding
Main Raft Trip (Marsh Fork to Lower Canning)
June 19-30
12 Days - $4,550 from Fairbanks

Optional Extension: Lower Canning Raft Trip to the Coast
June 19-July 5
17 Days - $5,500 from Fairbanks

We are thrilled to offer this classic 12-day raft trip once again.  The Canning River skirts the western boundary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), weaving between the Philip Smith, Franklin, Shublik and Sadlerochit Mountains on its way north to the Arctic Ocean.

We begin this adventure high in the mountains on the spectacularly scenic Marsh Fork of the Canning River. We will have about 1/4 mile portage from where the plane lands and drops off the gear to the river’s edge.  We then float northeast through the mountains, paddling our way to the confluence with the main stem of the Canning River six or seven days later.  We will explore side valleys in a mixture of rafting and hiking.  We will experience a some excitement as we pick our way down a several-mile stretch of Class III whitewater. Once we reach the main Canning River valley, the landscapes begin to expand.  Floating through the foothills, we gradually leave the mountains behind as we traverse the coastal plain, a uniquely beautiful high arctic tundra ecosystem. The landscapes are now so vast that you can see the curvature of the earth.  Twenty miles short of the Arctic Ocean, at the top of the huge Canning River delta, our journey comes to an end.

We often see wolves and almost always see grizzly bears. The Central Arctic and Porcupine caribou herds mix along the lower stretches of the river and we often encounter large groups of these mobile creatures with their young calves. This is also an excellent place to catch a glimpse of the refuge’s dwindling musk ox herd. The rich ecosystem of the river delta contains a number of bird species not encountered in the up-river habitats, diversifying our opportunities to see more varieties of birds and other wildlife.

Optional Extension to the Coast:
As we float the Marsh Fork & Canning Rivers to the usual takeout at the top of the delta, still 20 miles from the coast, we traverse a variety of habitats through which the bird diversity changes daily. Last year we followed the river through its delta all the way to the Arctic Ocean for the first time and were richly rewarded with an exciting variety of additional bird species, lots of wildlife, different wildflowers and the unique, other-worldly sense of being at the edge of the continent where few have traveled. Experience the Arctic Refuge from the continental divide to the Beaufort Sea of the Arctic Ocean. This exploratory trip extension is only available to those participating in the Marsh Fork/Canning River raft trip. The price covers the 12 day Marsh Fork/Canning raft trip plus the extension to the coast.

We hold a pre-trip meeting the evening before the trip begins. On Day 1, we fly from Fairbanks to Arctic Village in a Cessna Caravan, which seats 9 people.  In Arctic Village, we meet our bush pilot and begin shuttling the group to the river in loads carrying  2-3 people per flight, taking four loads to get the whole group in. We camp the first night on the tundra bench where the plane leaves us. After shuttling all of our gear to the river’s edge, usually about 1/4 mile away and across some auf eis, we begin floating downriver on Day 2 or 3.  During the trip, we’ll take layover days whenever we can, spending two nights at the same camp and taking a day hike on the day between. On Day 12, our bush pilot arrives to take out anyone departing the trip at this point; those people will return to Arctic Village with him and connect to an afternoon flight back to Fairbanks, arriving at 5 or 6 PM. Those taking the 17 day trip to the coast will continue downstream, arriving at our pick-up spot with hopefully time to hike explore and bird before our bush pilot comes in on Day 17, weather permitting, to shuttle us either to Arctic Village or to Kavik, a closer strip on the coastal plain. From there, we’ll fly back to Fairbanks, arriving around 5 or 6 PM. The trip ends upon our arrival in Fairbanks.

This trip is very remote, adventurous and can be strenuous; outside help is days away. Participants need to be in good health, pack a positive attitude, and be capable of handling a variety of conditions. Anytime we one ventures into the wilderness, one has to be prepared to deal with unexpected challenges. After all, what would a true adventure be without some unknowns?

The price of the trip includes all flights from Fairbanks to the Arctic Refuge and back, WBA guides, all group gear (rafting, kitchen, etc.), all meals during the trip, and all permits. You are responsible for your Fairbanks logistics and expenses (lodging, meals, etc.) and your personal gear. Upon signing up for the trip, we provide an information packet to help you plan and prepare for the trip, including recommended lodging in Fairbanks.

A sampling of birds we usually encounter includes: Gray-headed Chickadee, Golden Eagle, Gyrfalcon, Peregrine Falcon, Smith’s Longspur, Long-tailed and Parasitic Jaeger, Yellow Wagtail, Arctic Warbler and Yellow-Billed Loon. 

Musk Ox - Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Buff-breasted Sandpiper - Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Birding Alaska's High Country, Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Passing the Aufeis - Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge