U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Bald Eagle

Caribou

Black Bear

Grizzly Bear

Trumpeter Swan

Refer to Alaska Department of

Fish and Game regulations before
fishing or hunting.

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Common fish species found in the Gulkana River

Rainbow Trout

Chinook (King) Salmon

Arctic Grayling

Sourdough Creek Campground
MP 147.5

Elijah Waters

Main Stem Float Highlights

Put-in is located at the Paxson Lake Campground Boat
Launch.

It takes 3 to 4 hours to row to the outlet of Paxson Lake,
depending on wind.

There are Class I-Il rapids for approximately 2.5 river
miles.

The confluence with the Middle Fork is at river mile 2.8.

A 1/2 mile portage around Canyon Rapids is marked with

RAPIDS AHEAD

gran nripsAHEAD ___ signs on river left at river mile 17.5. Depending on craft,

water level and ability you may have to portage gear or
entire craft. Recommend scouting before running rapids.

Class II-III rapids begin after Canyon Rapids and last for
approximately 8 river miles.

Encounters with power boats can be expected as early as
river mile 35, depending on water levels.

Confluence with the West Fork is at river mile 37.

Take-out is located at the Sourdough Creek Campground
at river mile 45.5.

A typical float trip on the Main Stem takes 3 to 4 days.
We recommend using the Floater’s Guide that is available
to identify river features and to find campsites that are
appropriate for your group size.

Gulkana Float Descriptions

River Average
Float Craft Put-in Take-out Miles Trip Portage Rapids
Floated Length
Sourdough . Aen ;
raft, canoe, ise Mscei Cresk oy socials a ales
Main Stem cata-raft, kayak Compgrotnd ne Campground a 70S xtays craft, abilities, or comfort short stretches of
175 Richardson Hwy MP 147.5
Richardson Hwy levels Class Ill or IV
Several possible
Deka Wayside MF Sourdough portages if accessed ee A
21.5 Denali Hwy Ceak thrsuan ul Tanal Majority of river
Middle (through Upper . ough Upper Tangle i class or ll with
canoe, kayak Campground 72 6to7 days Lakes, lining may be
Fork Tangle Lakes} or MP 147.5 required at low water short stretches of
ies a Moat Richardson Hwy levels, Canyon Rapids Claas Bory
portage on Main Stem
West Fork vive reeatwed Sourdough Several portages to
(North lake;South Branch: Creek Gosia chee Riou, capers
canoe, kayak float plane or Campground 110 7 to 14 days y x pth
; water levels lining may nature of trip adds
and South multiple portages MP 147.5 :
. be required at placeson to the challenge
Branches) from Lake Louise/ Richardson Hwy feat heanck we

Tyone River

For a more detailed description of these trips, see the Gulkana National Wild River Brochure

Emergency Contact Information

Alaska State Troopers, Glennallen Bureau of Land Management

(907) 822-3263 or 911 Glennallen Field Office

PO Box 147

Mile 186.5 Glenn Highway
BLM Rangers, Glennallen Glennallen, AK 99588
(907) 822-3217 (week days only) (907) 822-3217

Fish and Game Regulation Information

AK Department of Fish & Game - Glennallen Office
PO Box 47, Mile 186 Glenn Highway

Glennallen, AK 99588

(907) 822-3309

Pre-Float Reminders

Campsite Selection

Use the Gulkana River Floater’s Guide to help select
campsites that are appropriate for your group size.

Green sites are suitable for

1 to 2 tents. They may be
harder to see from the river,
but are usually more secluded
and offer the most privacy.

Orange sites are suitable for
3 to 4 tents. They have more
room for camping gear and
most have an established
fire ring.

Purple sites are suitable for 5
to 6 tents, They are the most
visible from the river and are
appropriate for larger groups,
providing the most room for
camping gear.

Group Size

A smaller group is more likely to see wildlife, has an
easier time finding a campsite to accommodate its size,
and has less impact on the fragile riverbank vegetation
and wilderness experience of other users.

In order to protect campsites
and maintain the
wild character of the
Gulkana River,
group size is limited
to 12 people per group.

Portable Toilets

Using a portable river toilet system will
eliminate the unpleasant experience
of rolling into camp and having to deal
with the possibility of human waste or
toilet paper in the bushes.

A boater dump station is located at
Sourdough Creek Campground for
your convenience.

Garbage

Small fires are not as hot
as larger ones and do

not allow for trash and
aluminum to burn. The
result is partially burned
cans and garbage left for
the next river user to find.

Use a fire pan and pack out

all garbage to reduce the amount of litter on the banks
of the Gulkana River. Keep food and trash contained
and away from tents and gear to avoid attracting bears.

Prohibited within the Gulkana
National Wild River Corridor:

* fireworks
* recreational shooting
* chainsaws