Packrafting River Trips
The Ultimate Fusion of River Rafting & Backpacking
Packrafting merges the thrilling aspects of river trips with the explorative spirit of backcountry hiking and backpacking. This innovative travel method’s growing popularity is due to the adaptability and accessibility it offers adventurers, opening up otherwise inaccessible routes that cover vast mountain ranges and secluded waterways.
Why Choose NOLS for Your Packrafting Trip
Unlock unparalleled opportunities to explore remote routes where untamed rivers meet rugged trails in remote wilderness locations.
Comprehensive Packrafting Skills Curriculum
Meticulously designed to act as both a beginner's guide for those new to packrafting, as well as an opportunity to refine essential packraft skills for those already familiar with the sport, our curriculum covers a wide range of essential techniques and knowledge from packing dry bags for "river mode" to advanced river navigation and self-rescue skills. Students begin the class with the basics of packraft paddle strokes on flat water and progressively advance to more challenging whitewater river sections. This progression builds a robust foundation suitable for novices and experienced packrafters alike.
Explore Otherwise Inaccessible Routes
Utilizing lightweight, single-person inflatable boats, you'll traverse a range of landscapes, from river valleys to high alpine passes. Paddling along winding rivers and hiking among scenic lakes, alpine forests, mountainous regions, and rugged coasts, you'll navigate through a variety of terrains on foot and by boat. This method of adventure, effective in various regions, from Alaska to New Zealand, exemplifies the versatility and efficiency of packrafting, making it ideal for accessing some of the most captivating routes available.
Experienced Packrafting Instructors
Our packrafting course instructors are seasoned adventurers with extensive knowledge and experience in wilderness navigation and packraft skills. Our instructors hail from a wide array of disciplines including environmental science, emergency medicine, and adventure education, enriching the course with a holistic approach to learning. Packrafting course participants benefit from their seasoned instructors' hands-on experience and guidance. Beyond their accomplishments, our instructors hold certifications in swiftwater rescue, wilderness first responder, and are trained in the latest wilderness risk management practices. Our packraft instructors create a learning environment where managing risk and nurturing safety is a priority, empowering participants to make informed decisions on the water.
Forge Deeper Connections with Nature
Beyond technical packrafting skills and leadership development, our packrafting courses offer the opportunity to form a profound connection with the backcountry. Packrafting simplifies wilderness travel, allowing participants to celebrate exploration in its most elemental form. It's an invitation to engage deeply with nature and observe breathtaking wildlife. Observing wildlife in their natural habitat, from the majestic flight of an eagle to the quiet grace of a deer walking by the riverside, instills a sense of responsibility towards these ecosystems. Participants emerge not just as skilled packrafters, but as ambassadors for conservation, inspired to protect these wild places for future generations.
Versatile & Practical Equipment
Packrafting equipment is as versatile as it is practical.
Paddles can double as supports for camp shelters, most packrafts can be used as cushioned loungers or sleeping platforms, and cutting-edge packing techniques maintain the raft’s equilibrium and keep belongings dry. This gear’s multifunctional nature not only elevates the wilderness camping experience but also fosters creative gear utilization.
The essential gear setup for a NOLS packrafting adventure encompasses only a few things—a lightweight packraft, a foldable paddle, a drysuit, a personal flotation device (PFD), and a helmet. Weighing in at approximately 20 pounds, these essentials make way for a light and minimalist personal gear philosophy and maximum efficiency and mobility. This approach helps manage the inherent weight of packrafting gear, urging adventurers to thoughtfully assess their gear choices. Such mindful selection of what to carry not only lightens the load but also significantly enhances the overall enjoyment and fulfillment of the expedition, ensuring adventurers have easy access to what they need, when they need it, without being weighed down.
2025 Packrafting Courses
Alaska Packrafting – Fly-in/Float Out – Adult
Our Talkeetna Packraft course for adults offers an introduction to all aspects of a true packraft expedition by alternating between boats and backpacks to connect alpine ecosystems, glacial rivers, low tundra, and clear mountain streams. The expedition begins by flying in a bushplane to a backcountry airstrip deep in the Talkeetna Mountains. We will focus on camping and backpacking skills as we make our way to the headwaters of the Talkeetna River, where we will transition into river mode. This low-gradient, braided river is an appropriate challenge for people totally new to packrafting as well as those with prior experience. Over several days of paddling, there should be great opportunities for wildlife, excellent riverside camping, and mountain views. Deflating our boats and changing into hiking mode again, we will leave the Talkeetna River to slowly bushwhack our way to the tundra, possibly enjoying views of Denali, before descending to Chunilna Creek, referred to by locals as Clear Creek. Our time on Clear Creek will include learning to paddle whitewater, fishing for salmon and trout, and scenic camping on gravel bars.
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Check out The Packrafting Scholarship!
The American Packrafting Association (APA), Alpacka Raft, and the NOLS have partnered to offer “The Packrafting Scholarship” that will provide an experience to participate in a NOLS packrafting course at NOLS Alaska this summer. The application period opens March 4, 2025 and will close on April 4, 2025; the recipient will be chosen by early May. Applicants must be 23+.
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Plan Your Next Packrafting Trip
Begin your packrafting adventure with NOLS and explore the world from a new perspective!
Our courses are designed to suit various interests and skill levels, offering everyone a chance to embark on an adventure. Whether you’re looking to explore the wilderness in a new, exciting, and fun way or seeking to challenge yourself with advanced river navigation skills, NOLS has a course for you.
Beyond packrafting, we invite you to explore our wide range of adventure courses that cater to every type of explorer. Dive into our backpacking trips to traverse untouched trails in the Himalayas, Alaska, or Wind River Range, or elevate your adventure with our river rafting trips and whitewater adventure courses designed for those seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush on the Salmon River.
