For an exhilarating day in the Canadian Rockies, enjoy a whitewater rafting adventure on the Kicking Horse River! It’s the perfect way to experience the splendor of Yoho National Park. Located near Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary, the Kicking Horse River is considered to be the best the best place for rafting in all of British Columbia and Alberta. With three whitewater rafting tours to choose from, there is sure to be the perfect rafting trip for you!
- All necessary equipment included
- Get up-close to native wildlife
Enjoy a day of thrills and heart-pumping action on a Kicking Horse River whitewater rafting tour. The Kicking Horse River runs through the Yoho National Park in the picturesque Canadian Rockies, and in addition to its natural rafting conditions, it also contains man-made "spiral tunnels" to enhance your whitewater rafting experience. While on the river, keep your eye out for wildlife including mountain goats, elk, wolverines, bald eagles and more! All three tour options are well-suited for all experience and fitness levels; you must be a minimum height of 4'11" (149.8 cm) and weight of 90 lbs (41 kg).
Kicking Horse Classic:
Your day begins on the calmer sections of the Kicking Horse River in Yoho National Park. Spend the morning rolling along glacial waters and learning to work as a team. Following your riverside BBQ lunch (see lunch menu in the Itinerary section below), your afternoon is spent tackling the Class 3 and Class 4 rapids of the Middle Canyon.
Kicking Horse Challenge:
The Kicking Horse River Challenge offers up the most rapids and the most complete river experience. You will begin on the upper reaches of the river in Yoho National Park, sharpening your paddling skills and learning to work as a team. Following your riverside BBQ lunch (see lunch menu in the Itinerary section below), 13.7 miles (22 km) of whitewater lay ahead in the Middle and Lower canyons. Take on the Challenge!
Afternoon Whitewater Rafting:
If you want to experience whitewater rafting but lack the time for a full-day adventure, the afternoon whitewater rafting tour is the answer, providing just the right amount of fun! Enjoy 7 miles (12 km) of rafting on the Middle Canyon of the Kicking Horse River with Class 3 and Class 4 rapids. This trip is ideal if you are driving in from Banff, Lake Louise, Revelstoke or Radium and don't want to rise early.
Schedule details
Rafting on Kicking Horse River
Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.
Departure Point:
Golden, British Columbia (1-hr drive from Lake Louise, 2-hr drive from Banff and 3-hr drive from Calgary)Departure Time:
- 9:30am for full-day tours, 11:45am for half-day tours
Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.
Return Details:
Returns to original departure pointPricing information
Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.
Tour options:
The Kicking Horse Classic whitewater rafting tour. 5.5 hours, including lunch.
The Kicking Horse Classic whitewater rafting tour. 5.5 hours, including lunch and round-trip transportation from Lake Louise (see Itinerary section for hotel details).
The Kicking Horse Challenge whitewater rafting tour. 5 hours, including lunch.
The Kicking Horse Afternoon whitewater rafting tour. 3 hours; no lunch or transportation are included.
Additional information
Rafting on Kicking Horse River
Inclusions:
- Whitewater rafting trip along the Kicking Horse River
- All necessary equipment, including lifejacket, helmet, wetsuit, neoprene boots, gloves and GoreTex Splash Jacket
- BBQ lunch (depending on tour selected)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (if selected)
Exclusions:
- Gratuities (optional)
Additional Information:
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Adult pricing is applied for all travelers
- Passengers must be a minimum of 4'11'' (149.8 cm) tall and 90 lbs (41 kg) for all tours, and a minimum of 16 years of age for the Challenge
- No experience is required
- Participants do not need to know how to swim
- Tours without transport meet at the Alpine Rafting office in Golden, BC
- Clothing that can get wet is recommended
- Not recommended for pregnant women
- Not recommended for participants with back problems
Itinerary:
Riverside BBQ Lunch (provided for Classic and Challenge Tours)Sample Menu:
Alberta beef burgers
Free-range chicken burgers
Veggie burgers
Veggie platters
Potato wedges
Salad
Cookies
Hot & cold drinks
LAKE LOUISE PICKUP SCHEDULE
8:10 AM - Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
8:15 AM - Lake Louise Inn
8:20 AM - Mountaineer Lodge
8:25 AM - Sampson Mall Parking Lots
Return to Lake Louise is at 3:15pm
Voucher Info:
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Local Operator Information:
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.

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