Premier Listings: Whitewater Rafting: Kootenay Rockies
The Kicking Horse River cuts a wild swath through the Yoho Valley before spilling through a narrow stretch of canyon east of Golden. Along the way it displays both a gentle and a ferocious side, offering the most popular and exciting river adventure in the Canadian Rockies on one of Canada’s premier white water rivers.
The combination of wild whitewater, spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife makes rafting the Kicking Horse River a thrilling adventure of a lifetime.
Because river rafting can be quite physically demanding, it’s good to have calm stretches of water where you can relax while admiring the breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery before plunging back into Class IV+ rapids. Rafting trips can also be extended to a 2-day overnight trip, combining 2 days of thrilling white water for a unique wilderness experience, or combined with horse riding or mountain biking trips for a full day of outdoor activity.
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One of the most popular sections of the river runs for about 12 miles (20 km) west of the Crozier Bridge. Popular put-in locations are at the intersection of Beaverfoot Road and Hwy 1, and at Hunter Creek’s confluence with the Kicking Horse River beside Hwy 1. To experience the power of this whitewater, contact one of the local outfitters based in Golden.
As an introduction to rafting, calmer scenic floats in the area – some with just a taste of whitewater – allow meandering trips through the breathtaking scenery of the upper Kicking Horse River or a relaxing guided canoe float on the bird watching paradise of the Columbia River.
Further to the east, the Nahatlatch River, Fraser River, and Thompson River are all justifiably well known for their river rafting experiences. Of the three, the Fraser and Thompson are more prominent, though not necessarily more challenging than the Nahatlatch. In fact, the Nahatlatch provides more excitement in its varied run than either of the others. Both the Thompson and the Nahatlatch flow into the Fraser within a short distance of each other.
The season begins in May, once water levels become manageable. The later in summer you try the Nahatlatch, the better your chances of being able to run the narrow Nahatlatch Canyon, a Class IV-V mind-altering experience. Although its entirely possible to run these rivers unaccompanied, the majority of paddlers opt for the services of a certified guide, at least the first time.
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