Upper Gulkana Mainstem

The feel

This is a clear river that is generally easy to raft from June through September. Rafters push off from the BLM campground on Paxson Lake and float about 50 miles down over several days, pulling out at the Sourdough campground at Mile 147.5 of the Richardson Highway.

Jet boaters work the other end. They launch at Sourdough and can run upriver about 15 - 20 miles, but most stop at the West Fork confluence because the river shallows greatly above it.

What to expect

Water and access

Launch rafts at the BLM campground on Paxson Lake at about mile 178 of the Richardson Highway. You can also walk or ride an ATV in from the Middle Fork Trail at 169.5 of the Richardson Highway, a rough 8 mile trail to the confluence of the Middle Fork Gulkana. Power boats launch at the Sourdough Campground. There are no launch fees.

Species and timing

King salmon May 15 - July 19, sockeye salmon June 1 - Sept 30. Arctic grayling, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are in the river year-round. Whitefish are also listed.

Methods and gear

Rafts for the float down from Paxson Lake, jet boats from Sourdough.

Hazards

The river shallows greatly above the West Fork confluence, which stops most jet boats there.

Season and access

The river is generally clear and easily rafted from June through September.

Mingo says

Plan the float between June and September, while the water runs clear. For kings, go before July 19. Sockeye run later, through Sept 30.

Before you go

• Call the ADF&G Glennallen Area Office at 907-822-3309 with questions about this river.
• Pick your launch: Paxson Lake for rafts, Sourdough for power boats, or the rough 8 mile Middle Fork Trail on foot or ATV.
• Plan a pull-out at the Sourdough campground at the end of the multi-day raft float.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.