FLOAT THE SUMMER AWAY

MAT-SU — A great way to beat the summer heat is to get wet — or at least hop in a raft and get on the water, where a wealth of wilderness awaits.

Many Mat-Su rivers and streams are well suited to floating, with easy put-in and take-out access. By getting on the rivers, you can get away from a majority of the crowds and enjoy a relaxing day in the sun.

You don’t have to have your own raft or boat to enjoy a float trip, however — there are several local guides who offer scenic float trips on a number of rivers. Several rafting companies have daily float trips on the Talkeetna River, while a few others offer scenic day floats on Willow Creek.

If a gentle float trip isn’t your thing, but you still want to hit the water, try some whitewater rafting on the Matanuska River. NOVA River Guides offer daily trips on the Matanuska River, with whitewater trips less than $100 per person. Unless you are very experienced with whitewater, it’s a good idea to hire a guide who is familiar with the river, current conditions and certified in rescue techniques.

For scenic float trips (or fishing trips), rafters can put boats in the water at the Parks Highway bridges of Willow Creek and Little Willow Creek, with take-out opportunities at the Willow Creek Campground. For streams farther north on the Parks Highway, rafters can take out at Susitna Landing.

Those not interested in moving water can find a bounty of Mat-Su lakes that are well suited to kayaking and canoeing. The Mat-Su has been dubbed the “Stillwater Fishing Capital of Alaska,” so grab your rod and reel when you head out on the lakes — you may be surprised at how productive the fishing is.

For more information about float trips in the Mat-Su Valley, visit alaskavisit.com. A list of guides, as well as trip itineraries, can be found at the site.

Casey Ressler (casey@alaskavisit.com) is the marketing and communications manager at the Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau.