Nenana River rafting: scenic or whitewater trip?
 

My family will be vacationing around Denali in mid-June, and we'd like to take a raft trip on the Nenana. I'm not a thrill-seeker (don't care for big roller coasters, for example) but like mild excitement. My family is a bit more adventursome than I am. We can't decide between the wilderness run (described as class I and II rapids) and the canyon run (class III and IV). I'm leaning toward the tamer one, because I don't want to spend the whole time with my eyes closed and my arms aching from holding on tight, worrying that I'm going to get flipped out of the raft (or worse, that one of my daughters will get flipped out of the raft). But I don't want to come back from Alaska feeling like I took such an uneventful float that I could have been on the Delaware, recent flooding notwithstanding (and yes, I realize the scenery/wildlife is completely different). I'm also wondering if the river runs high in mid-June because of glacial melt and how that would affect the swiftness of the current and excitement of the rapids. Has anyone taken these trips and can advise me on which one would be better for my family? Any advice is welcome (including if you want to make fun of me for being a wimp--I'm at peace with that). Thanks.

My opinion only, this is a so so area anyway for rafting. But the float trip is way too tame and lacking in scenery for me. But the other area of put in probably will be too much for you with the rapids? Frankly, if this is not your preference for a tour, but your family has the interest- perhaps, book them on the canyon run?

I'm with BQ. I've only done this once -- the whitewater -- and I thought there were very few Class IV stretches. The river seemed over-rated.

Plus, if the weather's cloudy, the scenic version becomes just a slow float.

We didn't see many people rafting there. The water is the color of chocolate milk. Even though we normally love to canoe and raft, it didn't look appealing at all.

did the tamer section of the nenana in june a few years ago and enjoyed it why? the guide did the rowing! water was nice , clear and it was just enough bumps so it wasn't totally tame. (i'd have preferred the rapids but we had some folks with us that couldn't handle that)

the real rafting is down near whittier(?). i have always enjoyed rafting as a break to hiking or scenic drives regardless of the thrill factor or how much you see...enjoy alaska.

Thank you, everyone, for your advice. Based on your lukewarm reviews, I think we'll probably skip the rafting and stick with shuttle and foot travel.