A river watershed so spectacular it was given preservation status. Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve is managed by the National Parks Service and has no road access. The Charley River drainage joins the mighty Yukon River before flowing on to the Bering Sea.

All the adventure, wilderness, and excitement of a Charley River float trip is best accessed with the float trip experts at Tok Air Service. We offer the most affordable and convenient way to access the headwaters of the Charley River. A scenic 3 1/2 drive from Fairbanks and a 50 minute bush plane flight will place you and your adventure companions at the beginning of a memorable rafting experience.

North and a little west of Tok, in the Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve, the Charley River is classified as a class II-III. In times of high water the upper areas of the river can reach class IV. Many types of wildlife can been seen along the river including peregrine falcons, sheep, caribou, moose, bears, and wolves.

We recommend booking early and planning your trip for the last week of May and the first part of June when the river is still flowing with spring run-off and the mosquitoes are not as bad as later in the year. During seasons of low water volume, portage may be required when starting at Three Fingers. You can arrange a pick up on a Yukon River gravel bar, or float for another day or two down the Yukon River into Circle. The Charley River has a gradient of 31 feet per mile and is considered by many to be one of the premier whitewater experiences in interior Alaska.

Check out the National Park Services pages tips for floating the Charley River or learn about Gelvin's Airstrip.