Twentymile Valley
Located just a few miles south of Girdwood, Twentymile Valley offers visitors a true remote experience with jet boat service offered by Alaska Backcountry Access , a Girdwood-based company. The breathtaking glacier-fed lakes are the perfect locations for overnights, a scenic day trip to paddle around icebergs, or have a choice of a few different class II creeks and float down all the way to where the Twentymile river meets the ocean. Hop on board with one of Alaskas most adventurous forms of transportation and have two adventures within one tour!
Please note: Due to ever-changing weather conditions, these glacier lakes are not always accessible via jet boat and some of the rivers in the valley can become very shallow making it unsafe to run on paddleboards . Please contact Swift Adventures or Alaska Backcountry Access for current operating conditions. Prices include jet boat shuttle, SUP board, paddle, wetsuit or drysuit, booties, helmets and paddling instruction.
*All Twentymile tours will start and end at the Twentymile bridge, mile 80.7 on the Seward Highway about ten minutes from Girdwood. Trip lengths are approximately 25 miles round trip and paddling lengths are indicated if applicable.
Not Your Average SUP Tour
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Jetboat Shuttle Prices 2021
Carmen Lake Beginner SUP Tour
Enjoy the rugged beauty of towering peaks with dramatic couloirs emptying into an aqua colored lake from the comfort of your paddle board. This tour is a level 1 and perfect introduction to paddleboarding. After your thrilling jet boat ride up river through rapids and in water so shallow you could wear sneakers we will arrive at Carmen Lake where you will learn how to stand on the board, paddle in a straight line, and other basic moves while surrounded by white capped peaks. After everyone is comfortable we will set out for a paddle on the lake to soak up the beauty of the Chugach National Forest. Please note that due to weather and water levels this tour is not always available, please call for current info.
Directions to put in/take out: Mile 80.5 of the Seward Highway
Tour times: Approx. 3 hours
Cost: $315 (price includes jet boat and based on 2 person min.)
Glacier Lake Beginner SUP tour
Ever want to paddle around icebergs? This level 1 tour starts with a thrilling jet boat trip to a glacier fed lake surrounded by beautiful mountains, depending on the conditions, the jet boat operator will cruise to the toe of the glacier for an up close and personal look before landing on shore with a postcard style view in every direction. After basic paddling safety instruction we will be off to float around icebergs and soak up the beauty of Twentymile Glacier with towering peaks all around.
Directions to put in/take out: Mile 80.5 of the Seward Highway
Tour times: Approx. 3 Hours
Cost: $365 (price includes jet boat and based on 2 person min.)
Confluence SUP tour
This trip is a level 2 designed to allow our guests to experience river SUP paddling in a class I-II section of river. This paddling trip begins at the confluence of the Glacier and Carmen rivers where the river is still splashy with small features but overall very safe for level 2 clients who want to hone their skills.The river gently meanders down to meet the Twentymile river where it becomes even slower flowing until the take out at the Seward Highway. The last few miles can be a bt slower and a lil more windy so tours will depend on conditions. We will start this trip with a short class and safety session to get everyone the basics of river safety, learn how to ferry, safely navigate around bends and get used to feeling the flow of the river without any big consequences such as large rapids or holes. Once on the river we will continue to instruct while floating approx 7 miles of river. This trip is great for this folks who have at least a little sup experience and want to feel comfortable on river currents. The jet boat trip up the river is an unforgettable experience!
Directions to put in/take out: Mile 80.5 of the Seward Highway
Tour times: Approx. 3 hours
Cost: $325 (price includes jet boat and based on 2 person min.)
Carmen River Whitewater SUP Tour:
The Carmen River is a narrow and fast moving river with class 2 rapids for about 4 miles until it meets with the Glacier River. It then flows down another few miles to meet Twentymilke river which gets more calm as you float past eagles and watch for moose and bear on the river banks. Although there are no nasty holes or rocks to hit, it can be shallow in places depending on water levels and there are a number of strainers on the sides, mainly due to the beaver activity in the area. Small wave trains, tight corners, and swift moving water make this tour exciting and just challenging enough to test your whitewater skills with up to 12 miles of river to paddle down. This is a level 3 trip and depends on water levels and weather conditions to cooperate. For an extra cost we can provide training at the lake for you to safely complete this tour. Please call for current tour info.
Directions to put in/take out: Mile 80.5 of the Seward Highway (unless winds are too heavy)
Tour times: Approx. 4 hours
Cost: $350 (price includes jet boat and 2 person min.)Directions to put in/take out: Mile 80.5 of the Seward Highway
Tour times: Approx. 4 hours
Cost: $350 (price includes jet boat and 2 person min.)
Glacier River Whitewater SUP Tour
This tour is one to remember! After an exhilarating jet boat ride up the river you will arrive at a lake created by Twentymile Glacier and still actively calving directly into the lake. Paddle around icebergs before heading down the fast moving Glacier River class 2 whitewater section for about 5 miles until the river eventually mellows out to a class 1 gently flowing scenic tour all the way back down the Twentymile river to the Seward Highway. This is a level 3 trip and requires previous instruction or experience, you can also have the option to receive training before the tour at the lake if required. Please call about current conditions as this tour is water level dependent and not always accessible.
Directions to Put in/Take out: Mile 80.5 of the Seward Highway
Tour times: Approx. 4 1/2 hours
Cost: $375 (price includes jet boat and based on 2 person min.)
Overnight trips on Twentymile
Swift Adventures has multiple overnight locations and options for Twentymile Valley (location access will vary depending on water levels, please call before booking to discuss options) Our overnight dinners could include a delicious sushi dinner hand rolled on the beach, freshly caught salmon grilled to perfection, moose stew or an authentic mexican riverside feast! Depending on the location access you could be on a beautiful glacier fed lake with floating icebergs or the black sand beach at the confluence of two rivers. These tours are fully supported and involve paddling for two days with up to 25 miles of river. We can customize your trip for the ability levels and incorporate lessons into it for beginners who wish to attend. This is a level 1 trip because an option exists to skip the class II, lessons are incorporated w the trip for your safety. Please call for more details, dates, options and costs.