Have a question about your upcoming rafting trip? Perhaps the answer can be found below. Our helpful crew is always available via Live Chat or telephone if further clarification is needed (1-888-647-6444).
All rafting trips depart from our River Base (2750 Beaverfoot Road, Golden BC), conveniently located on the TransCanada Highway #1. The River Base is halfway between the towns of Field and Golden, BC, and an easy 45-minute drive west of Lake Louise. For accurate directions on Google Maps, simply enter ‘Wild Water Adventures River Base’.
Guests for morning departures are to be at the River Base at 8:45 AM (MST). For afternoon departures, please arrive at 1:45 PM (MST). Guests are required to check-in upon arrival at the River Base.
Wild Water Adventures runs on a tight schedule to ensure all trips start and finish on time. Morning departures must run punctually so afternoon trips can operate smoothly, and we respect that guests often have other plans before or after their rafting experience. Guests who arrive on time expect us to do the same.
Please plan ahead, know your drive time to the River Base, and allow extra time for possible traffic, delays, or time changes. We strongly recommend checking drivebc.ca and 511.alberta.ca the night before and the morning of your trip. Email notices are sent to all guests, 48 hours prior to every departure, reminding guests to check road conditions and the River Base location. In other words, there really is no excuse to be late!
While some delays are unavoidable, please call us as soon as possible at 1-888-647-6444 or 403-522-2211 to keep us informed. Please note that our booking and cancellation policy applies to late arrivals and missed trips.
As with any adventure activity, there are always inherent hazards and risks. However, we do all that we can to mitigate those hazards and risks. More information about our safety policies and protocols can be found here.
For full details about our Terms and Conditions, visit our Booking Policies page.
Cancellation Policy:
Individual Booking (up to 7 participants):
Reservations are fully refundable, or changeable, up to 48 hours prior to trip departure. Once within that final 48-hour window, reservations are non-refundable.
Group Booking (8 or more participants):
Reservations are fully refundable, or changeable up to 7 days prior to trip departure. Once within that final 7-day window, reservations are non-refundable.
WAIVER, EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISKS: Whitewater rafting involves many risks, dangers and hazards , which are outlined in our release of liability, waiver of claims, assumption of risks and indemnity agreement. Each participant will be required to read and sign the Wild Water Adventures waiver of liability prior to commencing the trip. A sample copy of the waiver can be downloaded here and will be attached to the confirmation email. The waiver is also available in French, Spanish, German and Dutch.
Photo/Video Release: I consent to photographs and/or video taken of being used for advertising, promotional or marketing purposes.
Yes it is! We have partnered with TuGo, one of Canada’s top travel insurance providers. For more information, please visit our Booking Policies page.
Rafting trips depart rain or shine. Guests will get wet from the river anyway, so a little rain will only add to the adventure! We provide lots of gear to help keep everyone comfortable and content. If ‘thermally challenged’, ask us for more synthetic polar fleece layers to help you stay comfortable and happy. Remember, mountain water is very refreshing!
Yes. As with all adventure sports, guests are required to read, complete and sign a waiver in order to raft. Waivers must be signed and witnessed only at the River Base. Please do not arrive at the River Base with pre-printed waivers; we will only ask you to complete and sign the form again. Guests under the age of 18 are required to have a parent signature on their behalf. The waiver is also available in French, Spanish, German and Dutch.
More and more visitors to the region are travelling with their dogs. While at the River Base, safe and friendly dogs can remain in their owner’s vehicle at your own risk and discretion. As our guest parking area is fully exposed to the sun, please ensure your pet has plenty of water and that the windows/sunroof are left open to allow for ventilation. Leaving doors unlocked in the event of an emergency is recommended. If travelling with an RV, please consider leaving the air conditioning running. While not a doggie daycare, our crew is happy to quickly check through the window to make sure your dog is not in distress. Please let us know when making your rafting reservation that your dog will also be arriving at the River Base.
In order to respect the comfort level of all our guests, we kindly ask that only humans wander about in our common green areas. Dogs, on a leash, are welcome to stretch their legs in the parking area. Please keep our River Base tidy by cleaning up after your pet.
Due to the refreshing temperature of the river, and the amount of bouncing and jostling about in the rafts, we recommend pregnant ladies remain on land and raft with us at a future time. The river isn’t going anywhere, and neither are we!
At Wild Water Adventures, we take great pride in fostering a friendly, supportive team both on and off the river. Our staff are the heart of the operation—the people who make an incredible river experience even better.
Our guiding team is a diverse group of dedicated rafting professionals who are passionate about being on the water and, even more importantly, about creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. With backgrounds in outdoor pursuits from around the globe, our guides bring an exceptional depth of expertise. Collectively, they have professionally guided on nearly every continent, across 21 countries and 116 rivers, accumulating enough river miles to circle the Earth twice at the equator.
Becoming a Wild Water guide requires a minimum of three to five seasons of prior whitewater experience, and our standards remain high. Every guide meets or exceeds industry requirements, participates in ongoing training, and attends daily safety meetings. All guiding staff hold BCROA (British Columbia River Outfitters Association) certification, current wilderness first aid credentials, and Swiftwater Rescue certification. Our team works collaboratively on the river, with rotating Trip Leader roles handled by senior guides under the oversight of our River Operations Manager.
Guests routinely praise our guides for their enthusiasm, positive energy, professionalism, and passion for what they do.
You can meet our team here.
Our rafts seat up to 8 guests. The guide sits in the middle, with 4 guests in the front and 4 guests in the back. Private rafts are available for groups of 4 to 8 rafters. Click here for more information.
The choice is yours! To be more active, help yourself to a paddle and assist the guide as the raft moves downstream through the waves and rapids. If you prefer to sit back and hold on, that’s okay, too. Mix it up and do a bit of both. Guests are encouraged to participate at a level that is comfortable for them.
Later in the season, when river levels drop, ‘All Paddle’ rafts can be arranged, for Whitewater Exciter departures, so that everyone paddles the entire trip. Simply give us a call to find out more.
Our River Base is located on a picturesque 13-acre property, overlooking the Kicking Horse River. It is the ideal place to meet and prepare for your trip. The day lodge boasts heated change rooms, hot and cold running water, proper washroom facilities and a large, covered deck area to enjoy before and after rafting. Personal items remain dry and secure inside the day lodge while guests have fun on the river.
All you need to bring is a swimsuit and towel! We provide the rest of the gear that you’ll wear on the river—wetsuits, neoprene booties, polar fleece sweaters, hooded spray jackets, helmets and life jackets. Any valuables, like phones, wallets and jewelry can be safely stored in our locked change rooms, or in your locked personal vehicle.
Wild Water Adventures is the closest Kicking Horse River outfitter to Calgary. We are located 20 minutes before the town of Golden, saving guests 40 minutes of driving time!
Here are the approximate driving times to our River Base:
Our rafting season kicks off mid-May and runs through mid-September. Reservations typically open at the beginning of November for the following year. As trips do sell out (especially weekends in July and August), it is always best to book sooner rather than later. To make a reservation, simply click the yellow ‘Book Now’ button on any Wild Water Adventures website page or call us directly at 1-888-647-6444.
Yes, discounts are available when trips are booked directly with us! With 8 to 15 rafters in your reservation, a 10% discount will apply to all rafting fares. With 16 or more rafters, the discount is 15%. Learn more about our group discounts here.
If eyeglasses or sunglasses are needed while on the river, please bring a safety strap for the trip. Alternatively, safety straps are available for purchase at the River Base.
Cameras and cell phones can become a safety issue as in some of the rapids you will be holding on tight with both hands. They are to be left, safe and dry, in your vehicle back at the River Base. Trip photographers will be snapping pictures at various spots along the river, capturing splashes, laughs and smiles. These photos will then be on display for purchase after the trip.
We do have GoPro cameras for rent and helmets with GoPro mounts for a hands-free video experience.
Yes! We have a limited number of GoPro cameras for rent. Each camera rental comes with a 64 GB microSD card which is yours to keep.
If you want to bring your own GoPro, we have helmets with GoPro mounts for rent. Chest mounts are not permitted for safety reasons.
Please let the Guest Services Crew know when you arrive as we have limited rentals available.
Yes. Trip photographs will be on display back at the River Base after the trip. Simply chat to the Guest Services Crew to purchase the collection or purchase directly from the website by clicking here.
After rafting, guests on our Full-Length Tradition trip return to the River Base for a delicious gourmet BBQ lunch served with a variety of hot and cold beverages. Guests on the Half-Day Gentle and Whitewater Exciter trips return to the River Base to enjoy a selection of hot and cold beverages on the deck, with assorted snacks available for purchase. An optional gourmet BBQ lunch upgrade is also available for guests on the morning (8:45 AM) Gentle and Whitewater Exciter departures.
Safety is our priority on the river and we all depend on each other to be alert and tuned in to everyone’s safety and well being. Wild Water Adventures has a strict, zero-tolerance policy regarding drugs and alcohol. Any guest suspected of intoxication or impairment upon arrival will not be allowed to raft and their fare will NOT be refunded.
Possibly. Bears, wolves, elk, cougars, big horn sheep, mountain goats and other creatures do live and move throughout the area. Keep your eyes peeled and maybe something will make an appearance!
Because we are the best! Even TripAdvisor ranks us as the #1 Activity in the Canadian Rockies. Since 1992, Wild Water Adventures has offered premium rafting experiences on the Kicking Horse River. After three decades of creating incredible memories for thousands and thousands of rafters, we continually strive to show our guests the best time possible on the river, while focusing closely on risk management. Don’t just take our word for it, check out what guests had to say after spending time on our rafts.
