Boating the major rivers within the refuge provides some of the best opportunities to view wildlife. Four "floatable" waterways (the South Fork Koyukuk, Jim, and Kanuti Rivers, and Bonanza Creek) flow westward from the Dalton Highway into the refuge. Most visitors travel these rivers by inflatable raft, canoe, or small motorized jet drive-powered boats, but the streams can be very shallow at times. While motorized watercraft are permitted, travel by power boats can be challenging and should only be attempted with caution.