John Wild & Scenic River
![The John River near Bettles](../alaska/a-alaska/rivers/john-river01.jpg)
The John River near Bettles
![Along the John River](../alaska/a-alaska/rivers/john-river02.jpg)
Floaters on the John River
The John River begins at Anaktuvak Pass in the Brooks Range and flows generally southwestward through a broad, glacier-carved valley until it empties into the Koyukuk River near Bettles, about 125 miles away. The Wild & Scenic River designation applies to the upper 52 miles of the river, that part within the bounds of Gates of the Arctic National Park.
The John River is a popular river for floaters, even though the upper 35 miles are rated Class III (for only the most experienced). Dangers along the river include sustained whitewater, swift currents, rocks, a dangerous 4-mile portage and the danger the river is too shallow to run. Below that upper part the river is rated Class II for the next 47 miles, then Class I for the final few miles to the Koyukuk.
![An aerial view of the John River Valley](../alaska/a-alaska/rivers/john-river03.jpg)
John River Valley
The valley of the John River is an important part of the Arctic Caribou Herd's annual migration. The herd crosses over Anaktuvuk (meaning: place of caribou droppings) Pass to summer grazing on the north slopes of the Brooks Range. Then they cross back south and head down the valley in the fall.
![Caribou in the John River Valley](../alaska/a-alaska/rivers/john-river-caribou01.jpg)
Caribou in the John River Valley
![Area map for John River](../alaska/a-alaska/nps/GAARmap01.jpg)
Upper photos courtesy of the US Fish & Wildlife Service
Lower photos and map courtesy of the National Park Service