White Water Rafting Canmore

While driving to and from the RiverBase, for your Kicking Horse whitewater rafting adventure, plenty of stops can be made en route. Some stops may take only a few minutes, others a few hours! Driving to our RiverBase from Canmore, please allow at least 1 hour 40 minutes. 

BANFF: Banff is one of the most popular tourist towns in North America and offers fine shopping, dining and sightseeing experiences. PLEASE NOTE: If planning to stop in Banff, Lake Louise or anywhere else within the national park, visitors are required to purchase a Park Permit. 

LAKE LOUISE: Seeing the iconic view of Lake Louise is a ‘must’ for many, along with historic Chateau Lake Louise. For an easy walk, follow the path behind the Canoe Docks up to a lovely viewpoint. If time allows, wander the shores of the Lake or head up to the Lake Agnes Tea House for tasty snacks and unbeatable views of both lakes, the Chateau and surrounding mountains. Wild Water has an office kiosk at the Chateau, just down the hall from the Front Lobby. Please drop by to say hello! 

In the Village of Lake Louise, a small assortment of food and retail shops satisfy all sorts of appetites. If in the mood for a great breakfast, lunch or simply a latte, we highly recommend the Trailhead Café (the Trailhead Burrito is our favourite!). Laggan’s Bakery, just next door, offers plenty of tasty and quick options for breakfast to late lunch. 

EMERALD LAKE is a 15 minute drive off the (TCH) and is well worth the drive. You can canoe on the lake or take a lovely walk around its perimeter. If you are still in the mood for more water activities, rent a canoe and paddle the shores…spectacular!

NATURAL BRIDGE is just off the TCH and on the way to Emerald Lake, you can see where the Kicking Horse River has slowly eroded the softer layers of strata to leave a “bridge” of erosion-resistant rock spanning the river. This area was very popular with Canada’s First Nations peoples as it provided a safe and easy way to cross the cold and mighty waters of the Kicking Horse.

TAKAKKAW FALLS is Canada’s 2nd highest waterfall and is about 15 minutes off of the TCH. You can walk right to the base of the falls, or simply view the falls from the parking area. On the way to the falls, stop at “The Meeting of the Waters” where the Kicking Horse and the Yoho rivers converge. It is very interesting to see the two different coloured rivers meet and slowly merge together.

SPIRAL TUNNELS is located off the TCH between Lake Louise and Field on the Big Hill. A great place to stop if you are a “train spotter”. You’ll see the engineering and design marvel created in 1909 that now has the trains “spiralling” through two tunnels as they head up or down the Big Hill. Restrooms are also located here, so it’s a great place for a fast pit stop en route from Calgary to Wild Water Adventure’s RiverBase.

For driving to our RiverBase from Canmore, Alberta, you should allow 1hr 40 minutes. The drive from Canmore to Wild Water Adventures RiverBase Daylodge is a direct route that will take you on the Trans Canada Highway #1 (TCH) through both Banff and Yoho National Parks. If you do not plan on stopping inside Banff or Yoho NP, you will not need a Park Pass and can go straight through the Park Gates just west of Canmore without stopping. However, the scenery is spectacular en route and you may want to plan on a few stops either before or after your rafting trip. If so, you are required to purchase a park pass.

Fuel prices are generally lower in Canmore than in Banff, Lake Louise or Golden, BC, so consider fueling up prior to getting underway.

Head west from Canmore on TransCanada Highway #1 (TCH).  After approx. 20 minutes, pass Banff; after another 30 to 35 minutes, pass by the turnoff for Lake Louise (there are two gas stations in the village of Lake Louise if fuel is needed).  Continue west on the TCH. Approximately 20 minutes after Lake Louise, pass by the small town of Field. Continue west for another 20 minutes or so.

Look for the overhead digital highway sign, just before the highway expands to four lanes. This is your cue to get into the far right-hand lane. Take the Beaverfoot Road exit, turning sharply to the right and then through a tunnel to a stop sign. Turn right and drive a short way uphill toward the Wild Water Adventures billboard. Turn left, cross a cattle guard and drive down the gravel laneway to the RiverBase. Park in the area on the right and get ready for a magnificent day on the Kicking Horse River!