Have a question about your Kicking Horse River rafting trip? You’ll likely find the answer below. If not, our friendly crew is happy to help by Live Chat or by phone at 1-888-647-6444).
We offer three trips on the Kicking Horse River. The Gentle trip (Class II to III, ages 8+) is perfect for families and first-timers who want great scenery with fun, manageable whitewater. The Whitewater Exciter (Class IV+, ages 12+) is our most popular trip for thrill-seekers. The Tradition (Class IV+, ages 12+) runs all 24 km of raftable river in about 5 hours and finishes with a gourmet BBQ lunch.
The Gentle and Whitewater Exciter trips take about 3 hours from check-in to finish, with about 1 hour 20 minutes on the water. The Tradition takes about 5 hours, with about 2.5 hours on the water plus a BBQ lunch. Total times include check-in, gearing up, the bus ride to the river and changing afterward.
The Kicking Horse River has rapids from Class II to Class IV+. The upper section is Class II to III: splashy, fun and great for beginners. The middle canyon is Class IV and IV+, with big waves and fast, technical water, including Portage and Shotgun, about 1 km of continuous rapids that drops 110 feet. The Gentle trip stays on the milder upper section, while the Whitewater Exciter and The Tradition run the canyon.
For big whitewater near Banff, head to the Kicking Horse River in Yoho National Park, about 1.5 hours west of Banff and 45 minutes past Lake Louise. Its glacier-fed rapids range from Class II to IV+, with trips for first-timers and thrill-seekers alike. All Wild Water trips depart from our River Base near Golden, BC.
Our season runs from mid-May to mid-September. June and early July bring the highest water and the biggest rapids. Late July and August offer warmer weather and are our busiest months, so book early for those dates.
Our rafting season runs from mid-May to mid-September, so early fall is the last chance to raft each year. Late-season trips bring warmer days and fewer crowds. Reservations for the next season open in early November.
Wild Water Adventures has been rafting the Kicking Horse River since 1992 and is ranked TripAdvisor’s #1 activity in the Canadian Rockies. We’re the closest Kicking Horse outfitter to Calgary, our guides are BCROA certified with wilderness first aid and Swiftwater Rescue training, and our 13-acre River Base has heated change rooms and a covered deck overlooking the river.
Like any adventure activity, rafting has some risk, and we work hard to reduce it. Every guest wears a certified helmet and life jacket, every trip starts with a safety briefing, and our guides hold BCROA certification, wilderness first aid and Swiftwater Rescue training. Kids 8 and up can join the Gentle trip, and guests 12 and up can join the Whitewater Exciter and The Tradition. Learn more on our River Safety page.
Yes. Guests on the Gentle trip must be at least 8 years old and weigh at least 50 lbs (23 kg). Guests on the Whitewater Exciter and The Tradition must be at least 12 years old and weigh at least 90 lbs (41 kg).
While there is no upper weight limit for rafting with us, our PFD’s have a maximum chest size of 132cm (52”).
You don’t need to be a strong swimmer to raft with us. Every guest wears a certified life jacket and helmet, and your guide explains what to do if you fall in during the safety briefing before you launch. If you’re nervous about the water, the Gentle trip is the best place to start.
You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable paddling, holding on through rapids and climbing in and out of the raft. Paddling is optional, and your guide steers the raft. The Gentle trip is the most relaxed option, while the Whitewater Exciter and The Tradition are more physical.
We recommend that pregnant guests stay on land this time and join us for a future trip. The cold water and bouncing through rapids make rafting unsuitable during pregnancy.
We do our best to accommodate guests with mobility challenges and believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the excitement of whitewater rafting. Accessibility depends on individual mobility needs, the level of assistance required and the suitability of the rafting trip.
We encourage you to call us at 403-522-2211 before booking so we can discuss your needs, review available assistance and facilities, and recommend the most suitable rafting experience. Our priority is to ensure everyone has an enjoyable, comfortable, and positive experience.
Just bring a swimsuit and a towel. We provide everything else you need on the river: a wetsuit, neoprene booties, a polar fleece sweater, a hooded spray jacket, a helmet and a life jacket. Leave valuables in our locked change rooms or your locked vehicle.
The Kicking Horse is a glacier-fed river, so the water stays refreshing all season, typically around 4°C. That’s why every trip includes a full wetsuit, neoprene booties, a fleece sweater and a hooded spray jacket. Wear a swimsuit underneath, skip cotton layers and bring a towel. Our heated change rooms are ready for you when you get back.
Yes. Every guest wears a certified helmet and life jacket on every trip, and both are included in your trip price. Want to film your run? You can rent a helmet with a GoPro mount at the River Base.
Yes, as long as they’re secured with a safety strap so they don’t end up in the river. Bring your own or buy one at the River Base.
Our 13-acre River Base overlooks the Kicking Horse River. The day lodge has heated change rooms with hot and cold running water, washrooms and a large covered deck. Your belongings stay secure in the lodge while you’re on the river.
Our River Base at 2750 Beaverfoot Road near Golden, BC is the closest Kicking Horse rafting outfitter to Calgary. Approximate drive times:
Drive east from Golden on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) for about 24 km. You’ll cross the Kicking Horse River bridge and pass the 10 Mile Hill Brake Check, then take the right-lane exit at Beaverfoot Road and turn right onto our gravel driveway. The drive takes about 20 minutes. Full directions are on our Getting Here page.
Every trip starts and ends at our River Base at 2750 Beaverfoot Road, Golden, BC. After you check in and gear up, a bus takes you to the put-in inside Yoho National Park and brings you back to the River Base after the trip, where heated change rooms and hot drinks are waiting.
Please arrive by 8:45 AM for morning trips or 1:45 PM for afternoon trips (Mountain Time). We’ll send you an email reminder 48 hours before your trip.
Our trips run on a tight schedule, so please plan to arrive on time. If you’re delayed, call us as soon as possible at 403-522-2211 or 1-888-647-6444. Late arrivals and missed trips are covered by our Booking Policies. Check road conditions on DriveBC and 511 Alberta the night before and the morning of your trip.
Friendly, well-behaved dogs can wait in your vehicle at your own risk. Our parking area is sunny, so leave water, open the windows or sunroof, and run the air conditioning in RVs. Staff will check on your dog through the window, but we can’t provide dog care. Leashed dogs may stretch their legs in the parking area only. Please let us know about your dog when you book.
As early as you can. Reservations for the next season open in early November, and trips sell out, especially on July and August weekends. Book online with the Book Now button or call us at 1-888-647-6444.
Often, yes, if there’s space. Book online or call us at 403-522-2211 to check same-day availability. July and August dates often sell out, so book early for peak dates, and plan to arrive at the River Base by 8:45 AM or 1:45 PM. We’re about 1.5 hours from Banff.
Current prices are $120 per adult and $95 per child for the Gentle trip, $140 per adult for the Whitewater Exciter, and $205 per adult for The Tradition, which includes a BBQ lunch. Every trip includes your wetsuit, booties, fleece, spray jacket, helmet, life jacket, guide and bus shuttle. Groups of 8 or more save 10 to 15%.
Yes. Groups of 8 to 15 rafters save 10% on rafting fares, and groups of 16 or more save 15%. Group discounts apply only to bookings made directly with Wild Water Adventures. Private rafts are also available for groups of 4 to 8.
Individual bookings (up to 7 guests) can be refunded or changed up to 48 hours before departure. Group bookings (8 or more guests) can be refunded or changed up to 7 days before departure. After those deadlines, bookings are non-refundable. See our Booking Policies page for full terms.
Yes. We’ve partnered with TuGo, a travel insurance provider, to offer cancellation insurance. Details are on our Booking Policies page.
Trips run rain or shine, and you’ll be getting wet anyway! Your wetsuit, fleece and spray jacket keep you warm, and extra fleece layers are available if you get cold.
Yes. Every guest must read, complete and sign a waiver at the River Base, where it’s witnessed by our staff. Pre-printed waivers aren’t accepted, and guests under 18 need a parent or guardian’s signature. You can preview a sample waiver in your confirmation email, and translations are available in French, Spanish, German and Dutch.
Our guides have rafted rivers around the world, with at least 3 to 5 seasons of whitewater experience before joining us. Every guide holds BCROA certification, current wilderness first aid and Swiftwater Rescue training, and attends daily safety meetings. Senior guides rotate as Trip Leaders. Meet them on our Meet the Team page.
Each raft holds up to 8 guests, with 4 in front, 4 in back and your guide in the middle. Groups of 4 to 8 can book a private raft.
It’s up to you. Paddle as much or as little as you like while your guide steers. Later in the season, when the water drops, we can arrange All Paddle rafts on the Whitewater Exciter. Just call us to set it up.
The Kicking Horse valley and Yoho National Park are home to bears, wolves, elk, cougars, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but keep your eyes on the riverbanks and the slopes above.
Phones and cameras stay in your vehicle, since they can be a hazard in the rapids. Instead, our trip photographers capture your run, and photos are available at the River Base after your trip or in our online store. Want your own footage? We rent a limited number of GoPros (with a 64 GB card to keep) and helmets with GoPro mounts for your own camera. Chest mounts aren’t allowed. Let Guest Services know when you arrive.
The Tradition includes a gourmet BBQ lunch with hot and cold drinks. Gentle and Whitewater Exciter guests enjoy hot and cold drinks on our deck after the trip, with snacks available to buy. Guests on 8:45 AM Gentle and Whitewater Exciter trips can upgrade to the BBQ lunch.
No. We have a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs. Guests who appear impaired when they arrive won’t be allowed to raft, and their fare won’t be refunded.
Yes. Our Adventure Packages pair a half-day rafting trip with another Rockies highlight: the Lake Louise Summer Gondola, a Moraine Lake and Lake Louise sightseeing tour, a via ferrata climb at Mt. Norquay, or a zipline tour in Radium Hot Springs. We also offer rock climbing and hiking trips.
