Alaska has more than twelve thousand rivers. The state's earliest communities clustered along these life-giving waterways, which still serve as vital transport corridors between rural communities. A river cruise on a historic stern-wheel paddleboat or fast jet boat is a great way to get deep into the wilderness in a short time; you can look for wildlife, take in the amazing scenery, watch float planes take off, beach the boat for a short hike or even stop to go fishing. Alaska river cruises typically range from three hours to a full day long, and the boats are equipped with heated indoor viewing areas where you can take shelter if you start feeling chilly.