Copper Oar Rafting
Copper Oar Rafting
5
River Rafting & Tubing • Water Sports • Private Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing
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Copper Oar has been offering wilderness rafting and multi-sport adventures in Alaska’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias, for over 20 years. Our full-day "raft and flightsee" trip features spectacular views, fun class II-III rapids, the magnificent Nizina Canyon, and a stunning bush plane flight from the river's edge back to McCarthy. We also offer multi-day wilderness adventures and multi-sport package trips. Copper Oar specializes in professional, personable guides, in-depth knowledge of the local human and natural history, great food, and creating adventures of a lifetime! *We are taking reservations for the 2021 season and will have trips available starting June 1st! We recommend bringing a face mask and your own hand sanitizer when visiting the area and making advanced reservations. You can read more about our Covid-19 response and recommendations on our website under the "Resources" tab.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
56 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
1
Average
0
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threestripes33
Short Hills, NJ12 contributions
Aug 2020
What a great experience the family had with Cody and Harrison. Cody was our main guide and Harrison was co-guide. Two awesome personalities who made the day fabulous. Despite the cloudy day and occasional rain drizzles, we all had a great time. The day started with the Copper Oar team getting us dressed for the trip, which included boots, neoprene jacket, and splash pants and top. And thank goodness for them because it was cooold, and we would have frozen with our own clothes. Morning was spent going down the river with Cody and Harrison taking the lead with the paddles and the story telling. Went by fast! Then we had a full lunch spread courtesy of Cody and Harrison who got the whole picnic table and fixin's all set up for us while we browsed the area. When the rafting was over, we got picked up by private plane and dropped off at the airport. All in all, a great day. We will do it again!
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for the great review! You described the day so well - glad it was so memorable :) Cody and Harrison are a great duo and like all our guides, are skilled oarsmen, backcountry chefs, and story spinners! They'll always make sure you are outfitted with all the gear you need to be comfortable on the river, even on a chilly day!!
We can't wait for your next visit!
Written September 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
anglaisefrancaise
Paris, France329 contributions
Jul 2022
We were staying in Kennicott Glacier Lodge and Copper Oar picked us up across the street from the lodge at St Elias guides’ offices. We did the all day trip with a flight back to McCarthy at the end. Copper Oar lent us neoprene vests (we already had our own boots and rain gear). We had a thorough safety briefing and then headed down the river. Chris and our guide Tristan were really friendly and calm and we felt in safe hands. I was glad our guide was doing the work and we just had to hang on. The river was fast flowing and churning but I think by rafting standards these were not huge rapids. It was more than enough for us and it was fun without being terrifying - admittedly down to the skill of our guide. We stopped off a couple of times for a small hike (saw lots of animal prints - some big bear paws) and our guides explained what we were seeing and talked about some the plant and wild life. We did this trip with an 11 year old and he was really well looked after. Our guide even let him have a go at the oars in a calm section of the river. Our guides prepared a great picnic spread for us in a gravel bank by the river and introduced us to Tang "orange" drink:) At the end we pulled out of the water and were amazed to see the boats being deflated and the equipment all being packed up and then onto a plane. A really professional operation and we felt a bit ridiculous that it was all being done to make sure we had a fun day out. The short flight back to McCarthy was fun and gave some great views and a different perspective on what we had just rafted down. Highly recommended!
Written August 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wildriverrose
Oak Run, CA5 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Rafting the Copper River with Copper Oar rafting company was a great experience. Lots of fun and challenges. Juniper Rose was my guide and did a great job rowing us down the river, preparing great meals and pointing out interesting facts I wouldn’t have even known to ask about. Scott the head boatman was knowledgeable and also a great guide. We saw Eagles and bears at a safe distance and lots of seals. It was an awesome trip.
Written July 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristin G
1 contribution
Jul 2017 • Family
Copper Oar helped seriously subsidize our fly-in raft trip for our non-profit Brooklyn to Alaska! Not only did they work with us financially, but they went out of their way to help provide a top-notch wilderness trip for girls from the inner city that could not normally afford this trip. All of the leaders and participants felt safe and had the time of their lives! I can't say enough for Gaia and her crew. AMAZING!!
Written January 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dithmerea
1 contribution
Jun 2017 • Friends
This was such a great trip, made extra special with the addition of a resident naturalist who came along with us on the journey. He answered thoroughly every question about each rock, tree, cliff formation, and critter that we asked him about. All the river guides were helpful as well as proficient in their paddling skills. The owner was thoughtful in contacting us ahead of time to see if we could adjust our starting & ending times. The midday meal was delicious. The weather was perfect. The flight back was spectacular. The company on the trip was phenomenal. Everything about the day that was planned for us was pretty much perfect. Money well spent on a trip I'll never forget!
Written October 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KazD
3 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
I enjoyed my River Rafting with Copper Oar, it was a good introduction to white water rafting. The guides were friendly and experienced and helped make it a fun day. The lunch provided was very tasty! After the wonderful ride down the river you get picked up by a plane which was so cool, flying over the Alaskan landscape and Kennicott Glacier was amazing. I would recommend this trip!
Written August 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello 272kaz,
Thanks do much for your great review and we're thrilled you enjoyed the day! We may be biased, but we do think it's one of the best single-day adventures in Alaska!
Take care,
Gaia
Written August 19, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
414CDW
Denver, CO1 contribution
Jul 2014 • Couples
Going to McCarthy, AK was by far the best trip I have ever gone on. I went rafting and ice climbing, spent some time hiking and flying, and explored the great area! I recommend all of those activities and more if you find yourself with the extra time! The staff was always fantastic and very friendly and they are all very professional. Worth every penny and second!
Written August 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alon R
23 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
An amazing family adventure. We all enjoyed from the views, the crew, the food, the rafting and the flightsee back to McCarthy.
Written July 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary H
Saint Louis, MO8 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
Our family took the one-day raft/flightsee trip with Copper Oar. The guides and pilot were excellent and the scenery outstanding. On our lunch break our guides set up a buffet table (with tablecloth, dishes, napkins, great food) and camp stools for each guest. We felt safe on the plane that picked us up on the river bank. The "flightsee" was short but the scenery (river, canyon, glacier, icefall, mountains, former Kennicott mining town) is one-of-a-kind. The only disappointment was that we did not see much wildlife on the raft trip, but Copper Oar can't help that.
We actually did a package that included an all-day glacier hike (which, for us, was even better than the raft trip) and a tour of the main old mining building (which was also excellent).
After we had arranged the package, Copper Oar sent us detailed information about what to wear and what to bring.
All highly recommended.
(There are some other options for the flightseeing. We ended up in a van with three people who had done a longer flightsee tour of the glaciers, mountains and icefall. Based on their reaction, we will be adding that to our list when we go back.)
We actually did a package that included an all-day glacier hike (which, for us, was even better than the raft trip) and a tour of the main old mining building (which was also excellent).
After we had arranged the package, Copper Oar sent us detailed information about what to wear and what to bring.
All highly recommended.
(There are some other options for the flightseeing. We ended up in a van with three people who had done a longer flightsee tour of the glaciers, mountains and icefall. Based on their reaction, we will be adding that to our list when we go back.)
Written August 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah B
Crawley47 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
We did the 3 day/2 night rafting trip from McCarthy to Chitina guided by Julie and Dale. Day one, which involved a leisurely start after a riverside lunch was sunny and (mostly) warm, and ended with a pleasant camp site after the Nizina gorge. Day 2 began with the sound of pattering rain on our tent at 1am, low clouds and glimpses of snowfall on the mountains we could see. It was really chilly and pretty miserable for the whole day, but Julie and Dale were great company and excellent at keeping our spirits and body warmth up. No sightings of bear or moose (boo!) but plenty of sightings of their footprints on our lunchtime hike.
The camp site on our second night was gorgeous; we pitched our tent in the middle of wildflowers, and warmed ourselves in front of a lovely campfire. Sleeping bags and mats provided by CooperOar were lovely and cosy.
The morning of day 3 - I opened my tent door to sunlight peeking through the mist. It slowly cleared to reveal the snow tipped mountains as Dale and Julie prepared a huge breakfast. That sense of being somewhere truly in the wilderness, plus the views of the mountains as we reached the end of the trip at Chitina meant the chilly fingers and toes became a distant memory. I took tons of photos, but none of them do the trip justice. I know we were very lucky to see the full mountain panorama at the end, but I think we paid the price with the cold the day before-which Dale (aka "Incrediboy") later informed us was the coldest he had ever experienced on the trip.
Bottom line is-it's worth it!
The camp site on our second night was gorgeous; we pitched our tent in the middle of wildflowers, and warmed ourselves in front of a lovely campfire. Sleeping bags and mats provided by CooperOar were lovely and cosy.
The morning of day 3 - I opened my tent door to sunlight peeking through the mist. It slowly cleared to reveal the snow tipped mountains as Dale and Julie prepared a huge breakfast. That sense of being somewhere truly in the wilderness, plus the views of the mountains as we reached the end of the trip at Chitina meant the chilly fingers and toes became a distant memory. I took tons of photos, but none of them do the trip justice. I know we were very lucky to see the full mountain panorama at the end, but I think we paid the price with the cold the day before-which Dale (aka "Incrediboy") later informed us was the coldest he had ever experienced on the trip.
Bottom line is-it's worth it!
Written July 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Copper Oar Rafting - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Copper Oar Rafting Information
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