Chena River: Our most recommended tours and activities

Fairbanks: Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour

1. Fairbanks: Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour

Enjoy a riverboat cruise along the Chena river. Discover the beauty of Alaska from the river and make multiple stops to truly understand the Alaskan way of life. You'll visit a local village, visit a dog-sledding kennel, and watch a bush pilot take off and land right in front of the boat. Be immersed in frontier living firsthand with a guided walking tour of an Athabascan village. You’ll see an Athabascan village with cabins made of spruce logs, a cache used for storing supplies, a primitive spruce bark hut, and fur pelts. Your guides will explain how the wolf, fox, martin, and beaver were used to provide food and protection in the harsh Arctic climate. They will also share how the Athabascans skillfully survived for over 10,000 years and how they adapted to village life and Western culture in the past century. At the end of your guided tour, you will have time to explore the village on your own, interact with your guides and visit dogs from Susan Butcher’s Trail Breaker Kennel. You'll also get the chance to see an Alaskan bush pilot take off and land right next to the boat. The pilot will share his stories of village life and explain the vital role planes play in remote Alaska. Finally, visit the home and kennel of the late four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher as you pass Trail Breaker Kennel along the Chena River. Learn firsthand about kennel life and the challenges that go into making a champion dogsled team. Hear stories of life on the trails as puppies play in anticipation of joining the team. Keep your cameras ready; you will not want to miss the dog mushing demonstration. If you are hungry, stop by the Captain's Corner located inside Steamboat Landing. There you'll find freshly made sandwiches, wraps, and salads ready each day. Enjoy your lunch on the beautiful outdoor deck as you soak in the sun and enjoy views of the Chena River. Beer, wine, and snacks are also available for sale aboard Discovery III.

Fairbanks: Interactive Day Mushing Adventure Tour

2. Fairbanks: Interactive Day Mushing Adventure Tour

Get an authentic taste of the “Last Frontier” on this mushing tour experience in Fairbanks. Meet the dogs and experience the excitement with them as they power down the snow International Yukon Quest trail. Stop at the half-way point to take unbeatable photos. Start your experience getting to know your group of adventurers in an authentic Mongolian yurt warmed by a cozy wood stove. Once geared up for the elements, step outside to be introduced to your canine team. Learn about handling the huskies and how to harness and hook up a team, then take off into the snow. Mush amongst snow-capped black spruce through the twists and turns of the slough. Keep your eyes peeled for moose. Take advantage of beautiful sun-drenched photo opportunities with your fellow adventurers before returning back to the Mongolian yurt to warm up from the trail and get an opportunity to purchase souvenirs to remember the adventure.

From Fairbanks: Half-Day River Fishing Excursion

3. From Fairbanks: Half-Day River Fishing Excursion

Treat yourself to something special while in the Fairbanks area. Head off on a float trip and do some good old-fashioned fishing. Bring the whole family along for a half-day on the Chena River with a guide. All equipment is provided. Your guided fishing trip day begins right at your Fairbanks hotel in town, so you don’t need to plan your route to the meeting point or worry about taxi fare. Head out on the water for a half-day of great fun for the whole family with an excellent fishing opportunity. Become an expert angler on the Chena River. Keep your eyes peeled and throw in a line for northern pike and arctic grayling while cruising around on a scenic guided tour. Savor a tasty light lunch. Your experienced fishing guide will show you the best spots to insure the most success possible. This half-day tour includes 3.5 hours of fishing with fly or spinning rods. Get dropped off at your hotel after an amazing day out on the water.

Add dates

Things to do in
Chena River

3 activities found
Sort by:

Other Sightseeing Options in Chena River

Want to discover all there is to do in Chena River? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Chena River

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 15 reviews

It was an awesome tour to have in Fairbanks. Our musher, Amanda, is knowledgeable and patient with all our questions during the trip. Highly recommend to other travelers.

This trip was a blast!! Laura was an awesome musher!! I can’t say enough good things about this group, very informative during the trip

Chase was very knowledgeable and super friendly! Had a lot of pride in his dogs and an experienced dog sledded. Highly recommend!

This experience was better than I ever could have imagined! Very informative and friendly staff and dogs.

Our adventure was an absolute blast! If you want to experience Alaska, you should do this!