Call us toll-free 1 877-344-7238

The Kicking Horse River: The Best Whitewater Rafting in the Canadian Rockies


Golden British Columbia is located within striking distance of all the Canadian Rockies National Parks that Canada has to offer: Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Yoho. The Kicking Horse River is the closest river offering class 4 thrills (lots of big whitewater!) to Banff, Lake Louise & Jasper. We are also just a short drive from Calgary, Alberta

The Natural Choice for Whitewater Rafting in the Canadian Rockies


When searching for the best whitewater rafting in the Canadian Rockies, look no further than the Kicking Horse River & Alpine Rafting. We have adventures to suit all experience & fitness levels. From Whitewater Rafting, to Gentle Family Rafting, Extreme Rafting, Heli Rafting & Kayak Rentals, we are sure to have something to suit your needs.

Alpine Rafting is located in Golden, British Columbia in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. We offer the biggest whitewater thrills closest to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper & more. When travelling to the Canadian Rockies for your summer vacation, make the drive to the Kicking Horse River in order to experience the biggest & best whitewater rafting the Canadian Rockies has to offer. Below are directions from Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper & Calgary

Address: 1509c Lafontaine Rd, Golden, BC

  • From Calgary
  • From Edmonton
  • From Canadian Rockies

Calgary

to Golden, BC

Get Directions

Alpine Rafting is located in Golden, British Columbia in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Offering the best whitewater thrills closest to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper & more. 

From Banff, Alberta 

The best place to enjoy whitewater rafting near Banff  is hands down on the Kicking Horse River. With affordable Gentle Family Rafting & class 4+ thrills, this river can really do it all!  The Kicking Horse is considered the premiere whitewater rafting river in the Canadian Rockies, and if you are planning to spend a day on the water, this is 100% the river you want to be on! Plan on a 90 minute drive on the beautiful & scenic Trans Canada Highway. Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

from Lake Louise Alberta 

The closest whitewater rafting to Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies is the Kicking Horse River. The Kicking Horse is considered the premiere whitewater rafting river in the Canadian Rockies, and if you are planning to spend a day on the water, this is 100% the river you want to be on! Plan on a one hour drive on the beautiful & scenic Trans Canada Highway. Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

from Canmore Alberta

If you are looking for the best whitewater rafting near Canmore, Alberta, we highly recommend this two hour drive for an unforgettable day on the Kicking Horse River.  Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

From Jasper, Alberta 

Travelling from Jasper, Alberta to raft the Kicking Horse River is well worth the drive. The drive takes 4 hours, however you do travel through three of Canada’s Most Famous National Parks. Plan to set out early in the morning as this is your best chance of viewing a wide variety of wildlife on the Icefields Parkway. The trip takes 4 hours, so we recommend planning a nights stay nearby (Golden, BC or Lake Louise, AB). Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

From Calgary & Edmonton Alberta

Travelling from Calgary, Alberta to raft the Kicking Horse River is how you will experience the best whitewater rafting in the Canadian Rockies. The drive takes 3 hours and 5.5 hours respectively and you do travel through three of Canada’s most famous National Parks.  Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

From Revelstoke (or anywhere else west of us!)

Travelling from Revelstoke, British Columbia to raft the Kicking Horse River is how you will experience the best whitewater rafting in the Canadian Rockies. The drive takes 2 hours and you do travel through two of Canada’s most famous National Parks. Plan to set out early in the morning as this is your best chance of viewing a wide variety of wildlife through Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. The trip takes 2 hours, and you will be changing from Pacific to Mountain Time, so we recommend planning a nights stay nearby (in Golden, BC).  Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following must do’s: experience amazing hiking trails in Glacier National Park with over 1,100 kms in park trails, adventure into the unfolding of Canada’s past at Rogers Pass National Historic Site, and drive through the many avalanche tunnels along the TransCanada Highway.  Don’t forget about the time change!!

Edmonton

to Golden, BC

Get Directions

Alpine Rafting is located in Golden, British Columbia in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. Offering the best whitewater thrills closest to Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper & more. 

From Banff, Alberta 

The best place to enjoy whitewater rafting near Banff  is hands down on the Kicking Horse River. With affordable Gentle Family Rafting & class 4+ thrills, this river can really do it all!  The Kicking Horse is considered the premiere whitewater rafting river in the Canadian Rockies, and if you are planning to spend a day on the water, this is 100% the river you want to be on! Plan on a 90 minute drive on the beautiful & scenic Trans Canada Highway. Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

from Lake Louise Alberta 

The closest whitewater rafting to Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies is the Kicking Horse River. The Kicking Horse is considered the premiere whitewater rafting river in the Canadian Rockies, and if you are planning to spend a day on the water, this is 100% the river you want to be on! Plan on a one hour drive on the beautiful & scenic Trans Canada Highway. Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

from Canmore Alberta

If you are looking for the best whitewater rafting near Canmore, Alberta, we highly recommend this two hour drive for an unforgettable day on the Kicking Horse River.  Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

From Jasper, Alberta 

Travelling from Jasper, Alberta to raft the Kicking Horse River is well worth the drive. The drive takes 4 hours, however you do travel through three of Canada’s Most Famous National Parks. Plan to set out early in the morning as this is your best chance of viewing a wide variety of wildlife on the Icefields Parkway. The trip takes 4 hours, so we recommend planning a nights stay nearby (Golden, BC or Lake Louise, AB). Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

From Calgary Alberta

Travelling from Calgary, Alberta to raft the Kicking Horse River is how you will experience the best whitewater rafting in the Canadian Rockies. The drive takes 3 hours and you do travel through three of Canada’s most famous National Parks.  Plan an extra 1 hour each way if you would like to check out the following Canadian Rockies must do’s: experience intimate dining and great shopping in the small mountain hamlet of Field, BC as well as the top three attractions in Yoho National Park (The Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls, and Emerald Lake )

Canadian Rockies

to the Kicking Horse River

Alpine Rafting Golden BC Get Directions
By Car

Head East out of Vancouver on the Trans-Canada Highway, stay on it sastward to Kamloops. From Kamloops you’ll head East to Golden on BC-1 E/BC-95 S. The trip by car takes about 7.5 hours total.

By Bus

The tip by bus, one way, takes about 10 hours from Vancouver. It leaves Vancouver daily, and a return trip costs about $300 before taxes.

From Kamloops

It’s the same as coming from Vancouver, only half as far and half as expensive.