MCCARTHY RAFTING FIELD GUIDE
Three Days on the Chitina: Rafting the Wilds Out of McCarthy with St. Elias Alpine Guides
A verified, 3-day Chitina River rafting itinerary from McCarthy for ages 8 and up, covering group and private-booking options, rates, and essential planning details.
Three Days on the Chitina: Rafting the Wilds Out of McCarthy with St. Elias Alpine Guides.
Run by St. Elias Alpine Guides out of McCarthy, Alaska, the Chitina River trip is a three-day rafting adventure that promises big river scenery and a program suitable for all abilities — with a minimum age of 8 years old.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Three days of Chitina rafting
This is a 3-day rafting experience on the Chitina River organized by St. Elias Alpine Guides, offering a concentrated stretch of river travel that showcases Alaska’s river scenery.
Breathtaking landscapes and wild corridors
The trip emphasizes expansive Alaskan river landscapes and the visual rewards of a multi-day river journey — the kind of broad scenery and river character that make the Chitina notable.
Flexible group and private booking with tiered rates
St. Elias Alpine Guides runs scheduled group departures and offers private, customizable trips; published 2025 pricing is tiered by party size and group-trip pricing guarantees are designed to give you competitive per-person rates.
What the day feels like
What a 3-day Chitina trip feels like
Over three days, participants travel the Chitina River as part of a guided program from McCarthy; the itinerary and staffing are provided by St. Elias Alpine Guides, and the trip is presented as accessible to paddlers of varying experience levels while maintaining the feel of a true Alaskan rafting expedition.
THE RIVER
Three days of Chitina rafting
This is a 3-day rafting experience on the Chitina River organized by St. Elias Alpine Guides, offering a concentrated stretch of river travel that showcases Alaska’s river scenery.
THE SCENERY
Breathtaking landscapes and wild corridors
The trip emphasizes expansive Alaskan river landscapes and the visual rewards of a multi-day river journey — the kind of broad scenery and river character that make the Chitina notable.
THE VALUE
Flexible group and private booking with tiered rates
St. Elias Alpine Guides runs scheduled group departures and offers private, customizable trips; published 2025 pricing is tiered by party size and group-trip pricing guarantees are designed to give you competitive per-person rates.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip is best for — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Consult the operator’s equipment list for required and recommended items for an Alaskan multi-day rafting trip; the trip page contains the full equipment list.
Expect to receive guidance and an equipment checklist from the operator prior to departure; follow that list closely for safety and comfort on a 3-day river program.
Review the operator’s provided equipment recommendations and plan your personal kit accordingly; the operator’s trip page links to the detailed equipment list.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Chitina River trip?
The trip duration is 3 days.
What is the minimum age to join?
The minimum age for participants is 8 years old.
Are there scheduled group trips or private departures?
Both: scheduled group trips are offered and private trips with custom dates are available.
What are the published 2025 rates?
Published 2025 pricing ranges from $4,150 for a single participant down to $990 per person for parties of 7–12; detailed per-person rates by party size are provided in the trip information.
When are the listed group-trip dates?
The trip listing includes the following group-trip dates: July 15 - 17, 2026 and Aug 18 - 20, 2026 (as shown in the trip information).
Is the trip appropriate for those with no rafting experience?
Yes — the trip is described as suitable for all abilities and is presented as a good option for participants with varying levels of rafting experience.