Adventures by True North AK

My husband and I just went out on their winter kayak and the sauna + cold plunge and had such a fun day! Everything was frosted over and the views of the mountains were so beautiful. Everything we needed was inside the sauna, the cold plunge was COLD, and our guide Ana was great!

Adventures by True North is where to go for your water sport needs! I went on their Knik River half day trip and it was perfect...other than I wish I'd had a FULL day out there. Instructions from the beginning were great. You meet your guide and drop off your vehicle where you'll finish your trip. From there, it's a short drive to the put in. All the gear you need is provided, as are snacks and warm and/or cold drinks. You start off in an idyllic snowmelt lake, wind your way through a salmon-filled creek, and end up connecting with the glacially-made Knik River. Derek, our guide that day, was very knowledgeable in regard to paddling, as well as the region. And he took pictures for us throughout the trip! An optional polar plunge at the end was a perfect way to finish the day. And you're just a mere walk from your car! If that doesn't sound like your kind of trip, they also have other options, as well as rentals, AND I've heard they've started teaming up with a local helicopter company to offer glacial pool paddleboarding!! I will definitely be back for that!

This was our first time ice fishing and it was an amazing experience! We did the full day with Ana as our guide and she was great! The tent had plenty of room and even enough to fit a pack n play while being able to maneuver around. We saw eagles and one even came up next to our tent, it was definitely the highlight of our day. 10/10 would do this experience all over again.

It was a great experience kayaking through the lakes, creeks and the Kink River. Derek was a fantastic guide who explained every aspect of the creeks and the history of the lakes. We saw lots of salmon, an eagle nest, and met great people on the go. This is a good-to-do activity if you're looking for a chill, fun and relaxing kayaking experience!

My friend and I participated in the Winter Ladies Only Outing (Sauna and Cold Plunge). It was set up and run so well! There was a tent sauna by the water, so it was only steps away to warmth after the cold plunge. A warming tent was halfway down the trail with yummy snacks and warm drinks. And a large barrel sauna was in the parking lot. Our guide was amazing! She was funny, calm, and encouraging. It was such a great experience with a fabulous group of ladies.

Three of my sisters and myself did the Jim Lake Kayak tour and it was SO MUCH FUN! Danika was an amazing guide, knowledgeable, totally chill, and it felt like another sister hanging out with us. The inflatable kayaks we chose (they had paddle boards as well!) were so comfortable and easy to use and I’m obsessed with the life jackets they have. The snacks and drinks they had offered were perfect for the time of day. We didn’t have to load, pump up, or unload anything she took care of it all for us, we felt spoiled. We picked the absolute best day, it was wonderfully sunny and a slight random breeze that felt so nice. Would highly recommend the Jim lake route as a starter for ANYONE, as it will for sure convince you to try other ones! 10/10 experience

I got to go kayaking along the Knik River, having little previous experience with a kayak. I felt completely safe and comfortable riding with the group that was put together. Derek knew the equipment and area well. Something to know about the trip is you will get wet. Which is great, but you will need the right gear depending on the season. We ran into strong winds and a rain jacket was great protection from the elements. It was an incredible area and you get to see different sides of Alaska that you normally wouldn’t get a chance to see. It was an amazing adventure I would highly recommend!

We've done 2 ice fishing evevnts and a cold plunge/sauna experience. Derek and his guides are amazing! I can't say enough about how great this is. Highly recommend booking any Alaska experience with this crew!