Adventure Lovers ONLY! Rafting & Hiking Getaway for $99

Think ‘affordable weekend getaway’ is not possible in the Canadian Rockies? Think again! Here we share with you an affordable, adventurous getaway in the heart of the Mountain Parks. It’s possible to experience a weekend of fun in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on a seriously tight budget. Here we feature a $99 Getaway that includes Whitewater Rafting on the Famous Kicking Horse River,  Free Riverside Camping, and suggested hiking adventures. Trust us, you should probably read on!

What You Get: 

• An a-la-carte Adventure that you tailor just for you!
• 3:30 p.m. Half Day Whitewater Rafting on the Kicking Horse River
• Your Choice of Dozens of Spectacular Mountain Hikes ( we’ve listed our faves below)
• Free Rustic Riverside Camping

What You’ll Need: 

• A sense of Adventure
• A Parks Canada National Park Pass
• Camping equipment, food & a full tank of gas!

When to Go: 

• Summer is in full swing in the Canadian Rockies and Whitewater Rafting is hands down the #1 Summer Activity to cool off with and experience mountain vistas from the river. And Lucky you, July & August are prime Whitewater Rafting & Hiking Months.

What to Expect:

• Room to Roam! From the expansive Rustic Riverside Camping where you aren’t restricted to a small campsite,  to hiking some of the lesser hiked trails, you can really feel like you’re getting off the beaten path
• Temperatures can reach upwards of 30 degrees celsius. In addition to your sense of adventure, youll need a reliable vehicle, your camping equipment and your favourite runners or hiking boots 🙂

Whitewater Rafting 101 

• The Kicking Horse River is a wild, untamed classic Canadian Rockies river. It begins high up in the Wapta icefield in Yoho National Park.  The Kicking Horse River is considered the Premiere River of the Canadian Rockies, offering lots of options for first time & seasoned rafters. If you’re going to get wet in the Canadian Rockies – this is the place you want to do it.  $99 Gets You a 3:30 p.m. Half Day Whitewater Rafting Adventure on the Kicking Horse River and 2 nights of Free Riverside Camping along the Kicking Horse River. Round out your river adventure with a world class hike!  Want more than a Half Day of Rafting? You can upgrade to any of our other rafting trips and simply pay the difference. Enjoy a full day of rafting that includes our Riverside BBQ Lunch or a meandering Family River trip through stunning Yoho National Park. Any River Adventure Offered by Alpine Rafting can easily be paired with Free Rustic Riverside Camping

Hiking in the National Parks 

• Complement your Rafting Trip with world Class Hiking. Here are 5 of our Favourite Hikes, and we’ve included some hikes for all experience levels and distances. But hey, be bold and walk your own path – we’ve listed a resource section at the bottom so you can truly choose your own adventure. There isn’t a trail to be missed in the Canadian Rockies.  Bold statement? Yes. True? Absolutely. So you can’t go wrong. But to help you get the most from your precious time in this magical region, let me give you the lowdown. From Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks to Kananaskis Country, here are my ten favourite hikes in the Canadian Rockies.

Floe Lake – Kootenay National Park – Distance 25 KM 

• Part of the large and famous Rockwall Trail, he ascent to Floe Lake begins in a burn. The entire area was ravaged by a forest fire in 2003, which cleared the way for stunning wildflowers and bountiful berries. The uphill climb will reward you with a small jewel-like lake. Dive in if you dare. A dip in this water, with icebergs still floating on its surface, is a true Canadian Rockies baptism.

Bow Lake – Banff National Park – 7 KM 

• This short hike winds along the shore of the impossibly blue Bow Lake, the source of Calgary’s pristine drinking water and subject of some of the best photographs on the planet. Beginning just behind the octagonal and historic Num-Ti-Jah hunting lodge, this gentle route is a great place to stretch your legs after gaping at the awe-inspiring views of Icefields

Aylmer Pass – Banff National Park – Distance 27 k 

• One of the first high elevation trails to be free of snow in early summer (yes, this is a serious consideration here), Aylmer pass is easily accessed from the town of Banff. Taking you high above the crystalline waters of Lake Minnewanka, the trail ascends into the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies to a spectacular 7,500-foot alpine pass.

Helen Lake – Banff National Park – 15 KM Hike 

• Helen Lake is most famous for its kaleidoscope of flowers. Well, that and the grizzly activity that often shuts down the trail to human visitors. After an initial climb through subalpine forest, you’ll find yourself in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful alpine meadows in the world, carpeted in a thick blanket of wildflowers.

Plain of Six Glaciers – Banff National Park – 12 KM Hike 

• If you like tea with your trails, this is the choice for you. Begin your adventure at lovely Lake Louise, a World Heritage site sitting at 5,700 feet. A 1,200-foot climb by the base of magnificent Mount Victoria will bring you to a cozy cabin nestled high above the lake, built in 1924 by Swiss Guides and still serving delicious fare for those willing to work for it.

Stanley Glacier – Kootenay National Park. 22 KM Hike 

• Just west of the Continental Divide, ascend a fire-ravaged slope to emerge into the cool brilliance of the Stanley Glacier. In 1892 the glacier’s namesake, Lord Stanley of Preston, was the first to award The Stanley Cup to a hockey team from his position as Governor General of Canada (the federal representative of the Canadian monarch). With hockey and monarchs involved, this is definitely a hike to include in your Canadian Rockies Adventure

The Iceline – Yoho National Park – 17 KM Hike

• With up-close views of numerous glaciers and flanked by Takakkaw, one of Canada’s highest waterfalls, this is the place to get high, high, HIGH in Yoho National Park. Yoho is a Cree word meaning “awe and wonder”–hike along the Iceline Trail and you’ll see how the area earned its name.

Valley of the Ten Peaks – Banff National Park – 10 KM Hike 

• From morning coffee on the shores of Moraine Lake to a sunny afternoon picnic in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, this is my go-to place for bringing visiting friends and family. The ascent, scented by crisp air and the sweet fragrance of sappy Douglas fir, is the perfect place to share stories along the trail. Because once you step out into the open and see sweeping vistas of ten peaks standing sentinel to your journey, you’ll no longer be able to speak. Come try it for yourself. It’s not to be missed.

For More Info

• This proposed weekend getaway is suitable for the Adventurous. Feel Free to Swap/Subtitute the Rustic Camping for Glamping or a Lodge. You make the rules, baby!
• First Step is book your River Adventure with Alpine Rafting & Secure your Rustic Riverside Camping. From there, peruse the hikes below and decide which ones will suit you the best
• Hiking in the Canadian Rockies National Parks Info