Kicking Horse River

Kicking Horse Classic Trip

We think it’s best whitewater rafting trip in Alberta or British Columbia! The Kicking Horse River is perfect for those adrenaline junkies wanting to get their fix! Covering a distance of 22 km, the Kicking Horse River offers the wildest whitewater ride in the Canadian Rockies.  The Kicking Horse River drops about 50 feet every km and we are in for all the thrills and chills along the way. The trip starts at our Kicking Horse River Basecamp located just west of Yoho National Park Boundary, 24 km east of Golden, British Columbia. We offer rafting trips every day at 12pm and also at 9am on Saturdays.

Please arrive 20min prior to your trip at our basecamp.

(See directions to Kicking Horse river basecamp).

The Kootenay River Runners basecamp and our Kicking Horse River rafting is easily accessible from Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont Hot Springs and Invermere.

KickingHorse

In the upper canyon, the rafting starts out slowly then picks up until you’re getting drenched in continuous class III to IV+ rapids. It is the best rafting trip in BC and Alberta for those outdoor adventurers and action seekers.

Book Classic Trip

Upper Canyon + Middle Canyon Twice = Ultimate Trip

Rafting 32 km of amazing white water on every rapid the Kicking Horse has to offer equals the Ultimate Kicking Horse rafting trip! We do a double whitewater trip whereby we re-run the continuous Class III and IV+ section of the middle canyon giving you that ultimate whitewater experience twice over! It takes approximately another 2.5 hours to raft this section, giving you lot’s of time to play in the rapids. The Ultimate Trip can be added to your trip the day of!

KickingHorseVern2

Book Ultimate Trip

Whitewater Trips on the Kicking Horse River with a Delicious Barbecue Lunch

Upon arrival you will be greeted by our guides at our private launch site on the shores of the river. You have the option of having our guides cook you up a lunch, before or after your raft (dependant on your tour time). If you choose the lunch option you can kick back and enjoy a delicious barbecue steak, BBQ chicken or veggie option right by the riverside whilst taking in the majestic skyline of Yoho National Park.

Your spectacular day on the river begins in the Upper Kicking Horse where there’s time to practice all the commands that your guide will teach you. The river flows gently at first, giving each guide time to know his crew, and the crew time to get comfortable in the raft.

Waves build as the canyons begins to narrow, and the rapids of the mighty upper canyon on the Kicking Horse River begin. Your 22km trip will serve up whitewater from Class II to IV! Rapids like Portage, Shotgun, Roller Coaster, Twin Towers and Last Waltz are what make the Kicking Horse the best whitewater trip in the Rockies. Our experienced and talented guides will help get that blood pumping and adrenaline rushing to give you an experience you won’t forget.

We Provide

  • Waivers- these need to be signed prior to boarding VIEW
  • Wet Suits
  • Fleece Sweaters on cold days
  • Spray Jackets
  • Helmets
  • River Shoes
  • Licensed Professional Guides
  • Professional Photographer
  • On-Site Private Facility (Kicking Horse Basecamp)

Please Bring

  • Bathing Suit
  • Towel

Please DO NOT Bring

  • Jewellery & Valuables
  • Cameras (unless waterproof)

Safety and Experience Count!

At Kootenay River Runners our focus is safety and quality. As the original white water rafting company on the Kicking Horse River we pride ourselves on small personalized trips so our guests experience this amazing river and scenery without feeling rushed.  Our guides come back year after year, they are all trip leaders with years of white water rafting experience in Canada and around the world. Our guides are all certified in swift water rescue and wilderness first aid, they are knowledgeable about the area and are passionate about what they do. We know that they will make your river experience unforgettable! Kootenay River Runners also provides the most up to date gear for all our guests, as well as the best rafts on the Kicking Horse River.

Click here for FAQ’s on the Kicking Horse River

 

Free Camping with your White Water Adventure

Our guests have the option of tent camping for free at our beautiful Kicking Horse River basecamp the night prior to their rafting adventure (this package is offered exclusively to our rafting guests). Our Kicking Horse trips start right at the Basecamp, so sleeping in is a definite option if you decide to camp the night before! For supplies or a night out, Golden, British Columbia is just 15 minutes away. Our Basecamp gives you easy access to Yoho National Park and Banff National Park as well as Lake Louise and Banff, Alberta.

Overview

Regarding white water rafting, we place the utmost importance on safety, proper equipment, experienced outdoor guides, professional support and high-quality customer service.  Creating a comfortable, trustworthy, and enjoyable Golden BC Kicking Horse white water rafting environment is always the main goal of our Kootenay River Runners business.  Encouraging healthy living and an active lifestyle, our white-water rafting expeditions are designed to provide the ultimate immersion into outdoor adventure.

If you are searching for a Golden BC Kicking Horse white water rafting company that books and schedules fun and exciting escapes, then you have come to the right place.  With plenty of white-water rafting itineraries to choose from our Kootenay River Runners support staff provides all the resources needed to thrive in the Golden BC river waters.  You can always feel confident in knowing that Kootenay River Runners is here to make your next Golden BC white water rafting outdoor adventure the absolute best it can be!

Learn More