Frequently Asked Questions
Who can go?
We will take ages 3 and up, but encourage you to choose “The Shorty” trip if you have younger children, as often the 12-mile float can be a little too long for younger children.
If your child requires a car seat for the shuttle back, please be sure to bring it when you show up to meet us.
Are there rapids?
The section of the river that we raft contains no more than Class 1 rapids. All you just have to do is sit back and take in the scenery while the guide rows.
For safety purposes, if you or someone in your party has health issues, please check with us ahead of time so we can talk about if the trip is right for you.
What should I bring?
If you can, please bring rain boots and durable rain gear (raincoat and pants) and layers layers layers! We can’t stress this enough.
Even if the weather looks nice, it can change before your trip is over. Sitting in the rain and wind on a raft can be miserable if you are not prepared for the weather.
If you need rain gear please let us know in advance what sizes of pants, jackets, and boots are, and we will make sure to bring some along.
There is a $5 fee for parking at the State Park boat ramp, so please bring $5 in change and be prepared to fill out an envelope with your license plate.
We will provide a few different “mom snacks” and bottled water, but if you have special dietary restrictions, please feel free to bring your own.
What’s the weather like?
The weather changes constantly! One day it can be sunny and warm, the next day it can be cold and windy.
We go in most weather conditions (YES, this means rain) unless it poses a risk to the safety of guides and customers.
If you are concerned about the weather, please wait to book, as we do not offer refunds for rain or cold weather (it is Alaska, after all).
Will we see wildlife?
Wildlife is completely hit or miss. Some summers we see bears every week.
Some summers we may see 5 bears a summer.
In the spring there are frequent moose sightings.
The most frequent wildlife that we see are bald eagles.
As mentioned above, the 12 Mile “Refuge Float” is your best bet to see wildlife but is no guarantee, as the final 5 miles are through a salmon run.
What Should I Wear?
Dress in layers! Bring a raincoat and pants (or send us a message with the sizes you need)!
It may seem sunny and perfect when you arrive, but the river tends to be breezy. Even if there isn’t a cloud in sight, a lot can change in 2-3 hours. We will have a dry bag that you can stuff extra clothes in, or you’re welcome to bring your own pack. It’s better to be prepared than cold and wet!
We highly recommend waterproof boots as well and can bring some if you don’t have any.
Whoever sits towards the front of the raft is more likely to get wet feet even on a dry day, due to some splashes from the few small rapids we go through.
What kind of raft will we be on?
Our raft is a little different from other companies. It is a 16’ cataraft with two pontoons and a metal floor. Behind the rower, there are two back seats that are often given to people with mobility needs or who need back support. In front of the rower is a bench seat that two people normally sit on.
In the front of the raft are wooden boards that we usually put the most adventurous people on so they can drape their feet off the front of the raft. Please be aware that unless you have reached out in advance for mobility needs, you may be seated in any of these spots, so dress accordingly (rubber boots are key for splashing).
The raft is a little smaller than the other company’s self-bailing rafts, but we only do groups of six, as opposed to their groups up to 12.
Where do we meet?
Directions: When coming from Anchorage, as you get into Cooper Landing, you will cross a large bridge. As soon as you cross the bridge, take the first right onto King Salmon Drive. Take the next right into the state park parking lot, and look for a silver Econoline van with a trailer on it. I should be at the van waiting with life vests and any additional rain gear or boots that you requested.
If coming from Soldotna or Homer, it’s the first left onto King Salmon Drive after Mile Marker 48. After turning left, take a right into the state park parking lot.
Cooper Landing Boat Launch
18787 Sterling Hwy
Cooper Landing, AK 99572
Parking in the State Park lot is a $5 fee per vehicle. You will have to have your plate number and a credit card ready to pay at the kiosk at the far end of the lot when you arrive.