The Swanson River (Dena'ina: Yaghetnu) is a stream, 40 miles (64 km) long, on the Kenai Peninsula of south-central Alaska in the United States.

In its lower reaches, it passes through the Swanson River Oil Field east of Nikiski before turning sharply north.

Two canoe trails involve lakes and streams rated Class I (easy) on the International Scale of River Difficulty.

In addition to boggy terrain, hazards include wind-driven waves, mosquitoes, and a dearth of good campsites.

[4] It is possible to float the Swanson River itself from the outlet at Gene Lake to the North Kenai Road bridge.