Riverboat Discovery

Riverboat Discovery 2024 Dates of Operation: May 10th-September 21st
Tour Times: 8:45AM & 2:00PM
Duration: Three hours
(367)

This three-hour cruise will take you into the heart of Alaska and introduce you to a family who has made the rivers of Alaska a way of life for five generations. You will see a bush floatplane takeoff alongside the boat, visit the home and kennels of the late four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher and see her champion sled dogs in action. Be immersed into the ancient Athabascan Indian culture whe

n our Alaskan Native Guides take you on a personalized tour of the Chena Indian Village. The Binkley family invites you to experience a slice of Alaskan life!

A wonderful way back Wednesday for you all today! Here's a capture from the 80's of a bush plane taking off from Fout's ...
08/28/2024

A wonderful way back Wednesday for you all today! Here's a capture from the 80's of a bush plane taking off from Fout's field. While we still have the plane takeoff during our tour, it changed from landing and taking off from land, to landing and taking off on the river! We are currently in our 74th season, and the tour has essentially stayed the same. We are very fortunate to have such a great foundation to work off of throughout these years!

Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 extends a kind thank you to everyone who helped to vote us as Fairbank's  #1 Best ...
08/18/2024

Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 extends a kind thank you to everyone who helped to vote us as Fairbank's #1 Best Tourist Attraction. We are so thankful for this community!

As a token of our gratitude, we are offering discounted tickets to Fairbanks residents! When booking online at www.riverboatdiscovery.com put in your valid Fairbanks resident zip code to receive the 40% off discount!

08/15/2024

A perfect landing for N488Z showcasing a bush plane landing on floats for our guests from around the world. If you rode the boat this past season and have videos from our tour that you would like to share with us, you can submit them here: https://u9cqt.socialv.io/?cid=0oD9Req2Q3
When you do, you'll be placed in a drawing for a free gift pack of Captain Jim's Smoked Salmon! Happy submitting!

We are currently hiring for help through the end of our season, September 21st. If you are homeschooled and over 16 year...
07/30/2024

We are currently hiring for help through the end of our season, September 21st. If you are homeschooled and over 16 years old, 21+ willing to serve alcohol, or just looking for a short seasonal job to make some extra money before winter, we would love to interview you! Head to www.riverboatdiscovery.com/employment or click on the link in our bio to apply today! 🥂

Captain Jim Binkley, Sr., followed in his father’s footsteps and piloted freight vessels on the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in the 1940’s. In 1950, noting the coming changes in the freighting business, Captain Jim and his wife, Mary, began the business. Over the coming years, their business grew fro...

Can you work with us Monday - Friday through September 21st? We would love for you to join our team! As our highschooler...
07/23/2024

Can you work with us Monday - Friday through September 21st? We would love for you to join our team!
As our highschoolers and college students head back to school, we are hiring those who can help us close out the season!
Apply today at www.riverboatdiscovery.com/employment 🥂

Captain Jim Binkley, Sr., followed in his father’s footsteps and piloted freight vessels on the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in the 1940’s. In 1950, noting the coming changes in the freighting business, Captain Jim and his wife, Mary, began the business. Over the coming years, their business grew fro...

Captain Jim's Alaska Salmon was just featured in the Tinned Fish Club's June subscription box. They created a beautiful ...
07/19/2024

Captain Jim's Alaska Salmon was just featured in the Tinned Fish Club's June subscription box. They created a beautiful dish and shared the recipe on their website! Check this out: Hearty Smoked Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce -- Yum!

You can order yours today at www.captainjimssalmon.com

https://www.tinnedfishclub.com/recipes/hearty-smoked-salmon-with-lemon-dill-sauce?utm_source=Leads%2FAll+%28Pop-Up+%2B+Lead+Conv.+Flow%29&utm_campaign=ef2891347c-HM_Content_3_Easy_Snacks4_15_2024_15_33_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ac171efb43-ef2891347c-293415932&mc_cid=ef2891347c&mc_eid=b5db444061

Captain Jim’s Canned Smoked Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce

Can you work with us Monday - Friday through September 21st? We would love for you to join our team! As our highschooler...
07/17/2024

Can you work with us Monday - Friday through September 21st? We would love for you to join our team!

As our highschoolers and college students head back to school, we are hiring those who can help us close out the season.

Apply today at www.riverboatdiscovery.com/employment 🥂

Captain Jim Binkley, Sr., followed in his father’s footsteps and piloted freight vessels on the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in the 1940’s. In 1950, noting the coming changes in the freighting business, Captain Jim and his wife, Mary, began the business. Over the coming years, their business grew fro...

07/17/2024

🌟 Join Our Team at Riverboat Discovery! 🌟

We are incredibly grateful for all the amazing individuals who have applied and worked with us this season! Our season ends September 21st, opening up a few positions to those who are outside the regular high school/college schedule.

If you or someone you know is interested in a fun, fulfilling job, and able to work with us through the end of our seasons, apply today at www.riverboatdiscovery.com/employment! 🚢✨

Some wonderful profile shots of the local wildlife seen along the Chena River. It's always nice to see our wilder neighb...
07/15/2024

Some wonderful profile shots of the local wildlife seen along the Chena River. It's always nice to see our wilder neighbors grace us along the excursion.
Fun facts about Bald Eagles: they can fly at 100 miles per hour and their incredible eyesight makes them excellent hunters. They have see-through eyelids which protect their eyes but still allows them to see! 🦅

07/11/2024

Join our crew this Mid-Season and help us get through to September 21st!
We are currently hiring for individuals that can help us get through to the end of our season. If this applies to you, apply today, at www.riverboatdiscovery.com/employment 🌟

Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon was recently featured in the  subscription box. If you’re a fan of tinned fish from around t...
07/10/2024

Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon was recently featured in the subscription box. If you’re a fan of tinned fish from around the world, check their page and subscription box out. It’s awesome to partner with companies with like minded visions: offering the best and most authentic tastes. Cheers! 🥂

We are currently looking for our Autumn hires to carry us through to the end of our season while some of our employees h...
07/05/2024

We are currently looking for our Autumn hires to carry us through to the end of our season while some of our employees head back to school. If you know anyone who can work with us through September 21st, they'll be a preferred applicant and we would love to interview them. You can apply today at www.riverboatdiscovery.com/employment

As a family owned and operated business for generations, we wanted to wish you a very Happy 4th of July as you celebrate...
07/04/2024

As a family owned and operated business for generations, we wanted to wish you a very Happy 4th of July as you celebrate with those near and far. From all of us at Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8, here's a hearty "cheers" to you!

Incredible shot of Discovery 3 from one of our own, ! This photo was taken at  with 700 guests aboard the boat. You can ...
06/28/2024

Incredible shot of Discovery 3 from one of our own, ! This photo was taken at with 700 guests aboard the boat. You can see the lean on the left as our guests eagerly watch the dog mushing demonstration! 🐕🐕🛷🚶‍♀️

It was wonderful collaborating with Spruce Tree Montessori School as they celebrated the close of an amazing school year...
06/26/2024

It was wonderful collaborating with Spruce Tree Montessori School as they celebrated the close of an amazing school year. Cheers to more wonderful and insightful years ahead!

06/24/2024

In the height of summer, it seems like time flies! It's hard to believe we are already on the 7th week of our summer season!
Here's a quick video of our employees that make up Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8. We couldn't do it without them!
If you are looking to join us for a tour, or are looking for a fun summer job, head over to www.riverboatdiscovery.com 🥂💫

We are so thankful for our community here in Alaska. These photos were brought over by Freddie Titus and were taken in t...
06/20/2024

We are so thankful for our community here in Alaska. These photos were brought over by Freddie Titus and were taken in the 1950's. Much of the tour still remains the same today with a ride down the historic Chena River, which was a key to the inception of Fairbanks, a stop at what we liken to a living museum that explores the Dene Athabaskan culture of the interior, along with trying out Captain Jim's Smoked Salmon served twice a day every day.
We would love for you to join us. Visit our website at www.riverboatdiscovery.com to book a tour today. We are also looking for candidates that can work with us through September 21st. Use the link to apply today. 🥂

06/11/2024

Did you take any amazing videos while with us this season or seasons past? Here's a perfect example of what we would like to see! Short and sweet highlighting a key part of the trip.

Now, we want to see your amazing videos! 🎥✨ Share your unique experiences with us and get a chance to win a gift pack of Captain Jim’s Smoked Salmon! It's simple:
1️⃣ Have a video from your time with us 📹
2️⃣ Click the link below to upload it
3️⃣ Get entered to win!
Ready to win? Submit your videos now! 👇
https://u9cqt.socialv.io/?cid=0oD9Req2Q3

It is a privilege to be a member of Alaska Travel Industry Association! We are so thankful for our contacts and peers th...
06/10/2024

It is a privilege to be a member of Alaska Travel Industry Association! We are so thankful for our contacts and peers throughout the great state of Alaska stewarding this land well and hosting guests from all around the world to enjoy the beauty of our great state. 🌲⚓️

This week's Member Spotlight is Riverboat Discovery in Fairbanks. For over 100 years and 5 generations, the Binkleys have captained riverboats on Alaska's Interior rivers. In 1950, Captain Jim Binkley and his wife, Mary, started their riverboat tourism business which exists today as Riverboat Discovery. Wade Binkley now helms the operation:

"We are a small, local, family business with deep roots in the Alaska travel industry, and we are committed to improving the communities that we live and operate in. For decades we have provided an opportunity for locals to join us in our mission to share our homes and lives with visitors from around the world.

The vast majority of our employees are young Alaskans entering the workforce for the first time. It’s a privilege to teach and guide these employees while they are with us and prepare them to be good stewards of our state as they head off into their future careers. This year we will employ 25 full time and 165 seasonal employees in Fairbanks, and another 45 full time and 200 seasonal employees at other operations around the state."

Thank you Alaska's News Source for coming up to Fairbanks for the beginning of our summer season! We've been experiencin...
06/05/2024

Thank you Alaska's News Source for coming up to Fairbanks for the beginning of our summer season! We've been experiencing beautiful 70-degree weather since your visit and have been loving these longer days.
As always, if you would like to experience the beauty and culture of Fairbanks, book a tour today at www.riverboatdiscovery.com

The sound of the Discovery 3 Steamboat horn, blasting, on the Chena River in Fairbanks has been a symbol of the start of summer for decades, the boat cruises down a 7-mile stretch on the river during its Riverboat Discovery tour. A steamboat excursion that dates back to the 1950s.

A special thank you to Kirk for this gracious review. Visit our website at www.riverboatdiscovery.com to book a tour, or...
06/03/2024

A special thank you to Kirk for this gracious review.
Visit our website at www.riverboatdiscovery.com to book a tour, order salmon, or apply to work with us today! We are still looking for some employees who can work with us up to the end of our season, September 21st.

Today, we at Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 take a moment to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate ...
05/28/2024

Today, we at Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8 take a moment to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and dedication allow us to enjoy the freedoms we cherish today.

As you spend time with family and friends, we invite you to reflect on the incredible history of our nation and those who have served to protect it. Whether you're exploring the rich heritage of Alaska on the Riverboat Discovery or delving into the gold rush history at Gold Dredge 8, take time to remember those who have gone before us.

From our family to yours, we wish you a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day.

We’re grateful to welcome guests from near and far to Riverboat Discovery! 🌎🚢 A special thank you to Lew for sharing thi...
05/24/2024

We’re grateful to welcome guests from near and far to Riverboat Discovery! 🌎🚢 A special thank you to Lew for sharing this review. At the heart of our company is Family, and we’re dedicated to providing Fun, Family, and Flexibility to our summer crew. Just two weeks in, and we’re off to a fantastic start! Here’s to the next 120 days of unforgettable summer adventures! ☀️🌲

As always, if you'd like to book a tour, order salmon, or apply to work with us you can do so at www.riverboatdiscovery.com.

We are hiring and looking for applicants that can work with us through September 21st. We would love for you to apply at...
05/14/2024

We are hiring and looking for applicants that can work with us through September 21st. We would love for you to apply at www.riverboatdiscovery.com and come prepared for a season of fun, family, and flexibility.

Captain Jim Binkley, Sr., followed in his father’s footsteps and piloted freight vessels on the Yukon and Tanana Rivers in the 1940’s. In 1950, noting the coming changes in the freighting business, Captain Jim and his wife, Mary, began the business. Over the coming years, their business grew fro...

It's the first day of the season and Riverboat Discovery is back in action! From now until September 21st we'll be takin...
05/11/2024

It's the first day of the season and Riverboat Discovery is back in action! From now until September 21st we'll be taking guests from all around the world up and down the Chena River. Give us a call or head over to our website www.riverboatdiscovery.com for more information and book a tour today!

Today is the final day of our Resident Sale! Buy tickets at 40% off and we'll book your tour date later! Head over to ww...
05/10/2024

Today is the final day of our Resident Sale! Buy tickets at 40% off and we'll book your tour date later! Head over to www.riverboatdiscovery.com to buy your tickets today!

Due to popular demand, our Resident Sale has been extended! Final day to purchase our discounted tickets is now end of d...
05/07/2024

Due to popular demand, our Resident Sale has been extended! Final day to purchase our discounted tickets is now end of day May 10th! Buy now and book later at

Your three-hour tour will take you into the heart of Alaska and a family who has made the rivers of Alaska their way of life for five generations.

End of day Monday May 6th, is the end of our Alaska Resident Sale. Be sure to buy your tickets before then at www.riverb...
05/05/2024

End of day Monday May 6th, is the end of our Alaska Resident Sale. Be sure to buy your tickets before then at www.riverboatdiscovery.com.

Buy now and book your date later: 40% off AK Resident sale tickets for Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8. If you hav...
05/01/2024

Buy now and book your date later: 40% off AK Resident sale tickets for Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8.
If you have friends and family visiting, this is a perfect way to show them the heart of Alaska.
Buy now before the sale ends at

Your three-hour tour will take you into the heart of Alaska and a family who has made the rivers of Alaska their way of life for five generations.

Address

1975 Discovery Drive
Fairbanks, AK
99709

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19074796673

Website

https://captainjimssalmon.com/

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