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. Trips do NOT depart from 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 its trips like clockwork, and there is a reason for that. Morning trips must be on time so afternoon trips can run on time as well. We also fully appreciate that guests have other activities to enjoy either before or after their time with us. Those who arrive at the River Base on time expect us to run on time as well. We kindly ask all guests to ‘know before you go’ how long it will take to drive from your location to the River Base and to consider any potential highway delays or time changes. It is always wise to look at drivebc.ca and 511.alberta.ca for road conditions 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 we do appreciate that some delays simply cannot be avoided, please give us a call toll-free at 1-888-647-6444 or locally at 403-522-2211 to keep us up to date on your location.
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 won’t make any difference! 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 pride ourselves on fostering a friendly on-river and off-river team. Our staff are the folks that make an amazing river even more enjoyable.
Our guiding team is a diverse group of rafting professionals who love being on the river and even more so making it a unique experience for our guests. 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 whitewater experience is required. We have very high standards. All guides meet or exceed industry standards and in-house training is ongoing along with daily safety meetings. All guiding staff are BCROA (British Columbia River Outfitters Association) certified, have current wilderness first aid qualifications and Swift Water Rescue certification. Our guides work as a team on the river, and we have rotating Trip Leader roles taken on by our senior guides and overseen by our River Operations Manager.
Our guests consistently comment on our guides’ enthusiasm and cheerfulness for what they do, and the professionalism with which they do it.
Check out our Meet the Team page 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. 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 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.
Full-Length Trip (Tradition): Back at the River Base, after rafting, a delicious gourmet BBQ lunch is served along with hot and cold beverages.
Half-Day Trips (Gentle, Whitewater Exciter): Back at the River Base, after rafting, a selection of hot and cold beverages are available on the deck. An assortment of snacks are available for purchase at the base.
*** Optional Gourmet BBQ Lunch upgrade is 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 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.
56 Lincoln Park #202
Canmore, AB T1W 3E9, Canada
RIVER BASE ADDRESS
Local: 403-522-2211
Toll-free: 1-888-647-6444
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