The Kenai River is one of Alaska’s most important waterways, linking glacial lakes, mountain snowfields, and the Pacific Ocean through Cook Inlet. Originating at Kenai Lake, the river carries cold, clear water shaped by glaciers and seasonal snowmelt, giving it the distinctive turquoise color seen during summer months. Its geography creates ideal conditions for salmon, supporting some of the largest runs of king, sockeye, and silver salmon in the state. These runs feed bears, birds, and marine l

Pack rafting is one way to float the Kenai River. Here is Ranger Nick’s perspective while floating the Naptown Rapids earlier this week. What is your favorite section of the river to float? Video description: an inflatable blue raft floats through choppy swift-moving turquoise blue river water, past green spruce trees on the river bank. Credit: Nick Longobardi | Kenai National Wildlife Refuge