ABOUT US
Founded in 1992, Wild Water Adventures was the passion of committed local guides and outdoor rafting professionals who had been involved in rafting and outdoor adventures in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England and the United States. They wanted to offer premium river experiences and to do it better than it had been done before: with more attention to detail, more top-of-the-line equipment provided to guests, at no additional cost; more comforts (such as heated indoor changerooms); more attention to risk management; more interaction with guides and other crew; and … more fun for you!
To this day we continue to provide a passionate and premium rafting experience on the Kicking Horse River and consider ourselves leaders in the area. We are excited to share our knowledge of this area and the adventure with our guests. We are looking forward to showing you the best white water experience in the Canadian Rockies!
THE WILD WATER CREW
The Wild Water crew (both on-river and off-river) is the key to our success! We take great pride in meeting, greeting, and guiding each and every guest down the famous Kicking Horse River, providing exceptional customer service and facilitating outstanding adventure activity experiences. There’s a reason why we’re consistently ranked as the #1 Outdoor Activity in the Canadian Rockies!
OUR GUIDES
The guiding team consists of individuals who possess a wealth of experience from rafting and leading a variety of outdoor pursuits around the world. Combined, our guides have professionally guided rafts on nearly every continent, 21 countries, 116 rivers, and enough river miles to easily go around the world TWICE (at the equator!).
To become a Wild Water guide, a minimum of three to five seasons of previous white water experience is required. We have very high standards. Our guests consistently comment on our guides’ enthusiasm and cheerfulness for what they do, and the professionalism with which they do it. All guides meet or exceed industry standards, with ongoing in-house training and daily safety meetings. The guiding team is also trained by the Interpretive Guides Association and know their stuff when it comes to local area information.
Interested in joining our crew? Learn more and apply here!
TRIP DEPARTURE LOCATION
Wild Water Adventures
RIVER BASE ADDRESS
2750 Beaverfoot Road,
Golden BC, Canada, V0A 1H0
All rafting trips depart from our River Base, conveniently located on TransCanada Highway #1, halfway between the towns of Field and Golden, BC. Situated on 13 wooded acres, and overlooking the Kicking Horse Valley, the River Base is where the action begins. Guests meet here and get suited up in river gear before being shuttled to where the rafts await at the put-in.
While we do maintain a sales office in Lake Louise, trips do not take place there! Be sure to go to the River Base for your actual river experience.
Getting to us
From The East (Calgary/Banff/Lake Louise):
- Drive west on TransCanada Highway #1, towards Banff, Lake Louise, Field and Golden.
- 20 minutes past Lake Louise, pass the town of Field (in Yoho National Park)
- 20 minutes or so past Field, leave Yoho National Park; Highway opens into double lanes
- Take 1st right-lane exit onto Beaverfoot Road; curve sharply downhill and through tunnel under highway
- Turn right at stop sign and drive uphill towards Wild Water Adventures billboard on left
- Turn left onto gravel driveway (just before the highway) and drive down to RiverBase.
From The West (Golden/Radium):
- Drive east on TransCanada Highway #1, towards Field, Lake Louise and Banff
- In approximately 10km, cross over Kicking Horse River on highly elevated bridge
- In another 5km or so, pass 10 Mile Hill Brake Check (on right and left)
- In a couple of minutes, take right-lane exit at Beaverfoot Road, curving immediately to the right onto gravel driveway at base of Wild Water Adventures billboard
- Carry on downhill to our spacious guest parking area at the RiverBase
OUR REGION
Banff
Banff, Alberta in a mountain town established in the 1880s and located within Banff National Park. It is about a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from our River Base and an exciting Banff white water rafting experience. It’s a small town that is easy to get around by foot or public transit. Banff really has it all: outdoor adventure, heritage attractions, shopping, nightlife and more! Here are some of our favourite things to do––besides Banff white water rafting––and favourite places to stay.
Lake Louise
The village of Lake Louise, Alberta, located within Banff National Park, is about a 45-minute drive east of our River Base. Lake Louise has been a top-tier destination since the 1880s and is known for being Canada’s highest permanent settlement at an elevation of 1,536m. The village offers a wide range of activities beyond white water rafting in Lake Louise to help you connect with the outdoors. Discover some of our favourite outdoor activities and places to stay.
Calgary
The closest big city and major airport to our River Base is the city of Calgary. Guests should plan for a 2-hour and 30-minute drive from Calgary to our River Base.
Situated on the edge of the Canadian Rockies, Calgary is a gorgeous city offering so many things to see and do! From history and museums to parks, dining, shopping, cultural events, and more, there’s no shortage of ways to plan a fun-filled day.
CANMORE
Located on the outskirts of Banff National Park is the town Canmore, Alberta. Canmore has moved from a sleepy, near-abandoned coal mining town to a well-renowned tourism destination. If Canmore wasn’t on your “To Do” list, it should be. Beautifully situated between the towering summits of Mount Rundle, Ha Ling, Grotto Mountain, Mountain Lady MacDonald and the Three Sisters, it is filled with a wide range of outdoor activities, shopping and great restaurants. When driving from Canmore to our River Base, plan for a 1 hour and 40-minute drive.
RADIUM
There are plenty of things to do and see near Radium, BC. Whether it is being out on a trail, playing on the water or enjoying galleries, shops and cafes, there is something for every visitor to enjoy. Close to the shores of Lake Windermere and surrounded by mountains (both the Rockies and the Purcells), Radium is a natural beauty nestled in the midst of the Columbia River valley. The surrounding area is a lovely place to spend time either before or after a white water rafting trip in Radium on the Kicking Horse River.
GOLDEN
Golden, British Columbia is located 20 minutes west of our River Base. Things to do in Golden involve being in the great outdoors, not surprisingly as it’s nestled between two massive mountain ranges and two massive rivers. Whether before or after your whitewater rafting adventure in Golden, take the time to enjoy the charming attractions this cozy mountain town has to offer.
Photo credits: Robert Massey, Tourism Canmore Kananaskis, Tourism Radium, Dave Best