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About Us

We're Thankful to Call Denali Home

The Raisis family (Denali locals and owners of Denali Raft Adventures, Inc.) have been in business since 1974. In 2022 the Raisis family purchased cabins and condos ¼ mile from the entrance to Denali National Park to give Denali Raft Adventures a permanent location on the riverbank of the Nenana River. We are conveniently located at mile marker 238 on the Parks Highway and we envision this as an activities resort. You can enjoy hiking, rafting, kayaking, heli-tours, shopping and eating nearby. Since we are right across the street from the Nenana River, you can take out or put in depending on the section of river you want to run. Use Denali Riverside Cabins as your base camp while playing in and around Denali National Park.

Jim came to Alaska from California to visit friends in the river community in Denali and ended up becoming a raft guide and mechanic for Denali Raft Adventures. When the opportunity came up to buy the company he jumped on the bandwagon. In 1989 he hired Valerie as a raft guide who later became his partner in business and life.  Captured by the beauty of Denali National Park, they enjoy rafting in the summer, and skiing & snowmachining in the winter.  They purchased a home near the park where they live year round. They raised a handsome charismatic son Demetrios who joined the family business as a raft guide at age 17. Demetios graduated from Cantwell High School in Cantwell Alaska continuing on to the University of Alaska Fairbanks to complete his paramedicine degree. Now he works as a paramedic in North Pole Alaska and as a part time raft guide in the summer.