[1] It begins in the Saint Elias Mountains at the base of Chitina Glacier and flows generally northwest through the Wrangell–St.

[6] The Chitina River is suitable for floating in rafts, kayaks, and decked canoes by boaters with sufficient wilderness and whitewater skills.

[6] Boaters starting from Hubert's Landing will have to make a difficult 2.5-mile (4.0 km) portage to reach the main river channel.

[6] Grizzlies pose a danger to boaters, especially near the mouths of clear tributaries, where the bears tend to congregate.

[6] The most important tributaries of the Chitina are from the north and emanate principally from the south slope of the Wrangell Mountains; in order downstream they are Nizina, Lakina, Gilahina, and Kuskulana rivers.