Elias National Park and Preserve to join the Chisana River near Northway Junction.

[3] The Nabesna River, swift-flowing in its upper reaches, passes through a deep valley that opens into broad plain.

Gradually slowing, the river enters the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, a region of marshes, hills, lakes, and forests of spruce and birch.

The current is swift on the stream's upper 40 miles (64 km) and slow from there to the mouth.

Glacier melt may cause flow rates to rise significantly between morning and afternoon on warm days.