Turnagain Arm · Whitewater
Whitewater Rafting on Sixmile Creek
Class IV–V glacier canyons by Hope — and gentler floats nearby
Where
Near Hope · Seward Hwy junction
Difficulty
Class III–V (three canyons)
Season
Summer (guided)
Also nearby
Placer & Spencer glacier floats
Sixmile Creek, near the junction of the Hope Highway and the Seward Highway, is one of Alaska's most accessible technical whitewater runs. Glacier-fed and fast, it drops through three canyons of increasing difficulty, from a Class III warm-up to a committing Class IV–V third canyon. It's on the same south-shore road that leads to the Hope/Mile 13 bore-tide vantage, so a bore-and-raft day is entirely doable.
Live tide timing
Next good bores
Tomorrow
Mon, Jun 29
Tuesday
Tue, Jun 30
Wednesday
Wed, Jul 1
Thursday
Thu, Jul 2
Times for Hope / Mile 13 · arrive ~20–30 min early. The mudflats are deadly — stay on the gravel above the waterline.
Featured partner
Advertise to bore tide visitors
This spot reaches people actively planning a bore tide trip to Turnagain Arm. Perfect for surf schools, wetsuit rental, Girdwood lodging, guided tours, or gear shops.
Inquire → [email protected]Three canyons
Sixmile builds in stages. The first canyon is a Class III introduction; the second steps up; and the third is a continuous Class IV–V gorge that guides run only with experienced paddlers and in the right conditions. Outfitters provide drysuits, helmets, and guides — no prior experience is required for the lower sections.
Glacier floats for everyone
If big whitewater isn't the goal, the same region offers scenic floats: gentle runs on the Placer and Twentymile drainages, and the iconic raft among the icebergs on Spencer Lake, reached by the Alaska Railroad whistle stop. These trade rapids for glaciers, wildlife, and quiet water.
Pairing with the bore
Because Sixmile sits just past the Hope Highway turnoff, it pairs naturally with a bore-tide morning at Hope/Mile 13 — watch the wave roll up the arm, then put in for the afternoon. Check the live bore schedule to line up the timing.
Pro tip
Book guided trips in advance and be honest about your experience — the third canyon is genuinely Class IV–V and not for first-timers. The lower canyons and glacier floats suit most fit adults.
For business owners
Own the Sixmile rafting search
Adventurers planning a Hope or Girdwood trip look for guides here first. Get an official Last Frontier Events listing so your outfit is the one they book.
More things to do nearby
Alyeska Resort
Alaska's premier mountain resort — 15 minutes up the arm from the bore
Ride the Alaska Railroad
The Glacier Discovery train along the arm — and the only way in to Spencer Glacier
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
A nonprofit refuge at the head of the arm — and the herd that brought wood bison back to Alaska
Bird-to-Gird Bike Path
13 paved, traffic-free miles along Turnagain Arm between Indian and Girdwood
Portage Valley & Whittier
Glaciers at the head of the arm, the one-lane tunnel, and Prince William Sound
Hiking Out of Girdwood
From the historic Crow Pass to easy rainforest waterfalls