Tours/Calgary/Kananaskis River Rafting Adventure
Viator · group up to 9 pax

Kananaskis River Rafting Adventure

4.9(141)Calgary1 hour
VIATOR4.9(85)TRIPADVISOR4.9(56)

Description

Enjoy a beautiful day rafting down the picturesque Kananaskis River in Alberta, Canada. This day trip from Banff or Canmore will get you into a raft and cruising down for 1.5 - 2 hours on the turquoise waters of the Kananaskis River, one of Alberta’s most pristine waterways. This excursion is an ideal introduction to the thrill of whitewater rafting, and is great for families or groups on the class 1-3 rapids. Spot local wildlife and soak up Canada’s unparalleled beauty as you cruise down this beautiful river.

Tour Options

Transport Not Included
  • Transport Not included: Meet at Nakoda Lakeside Lodge on Highway 1A between Morley and Exshaw, no later than 1:15pm.

Itinerary

120 min

Listen as the professional guides explain how to paddle and give safety instructions for your epic 1.5 to 2 hour adventure down the Kananaskis River, which originates in the Canadian Rockies and flows 46 miles (74 km) before emptying into the Bow River. Relax as you cruise along the calm parts of the river, taking in the scenery of craggy mountains and verdant trees. Keep an eye out for wildlife like eagles and other birds soaring overhead and bears or deer walking along the banks of the river. But don’t relax for too long — this is still an adventurous river. Listen as your guide directs you to navigate the periodic rapids. Hang tight as you bump up and down over the white water as if it were an aquatic bronco. When your rafting adventure comes to an end, you’ll be rewarded with snacks and high-fives, before relaxing on the ride back to your starting point.

240 min

After pick-up from Banff or Canmore (optional), take a brief but picturesque ride through the Canadian countryside to the tour meeting point. Once you've signed a waiver and geared up at the riverbase, you'll be transported in a comfortable bus to the riverbase to begin your whitewater rafting journey.

Highlights

4h duration (1.5 to 2 hour rafting adventure, with an optional swim at the end)
All necessary equipment (wetsuits, lifejacket, helmet, rainjacket, wetsuit booties and gloves)
Free photos of your rafting adventure available online
Snacks
Guide

What's included

Included
4h duration (1.5 to 2 hour rafting adventure, with an optional swim at the end)
All necessary equipment (wetsuits, lifejacket, helmet, rainjacket, wetsuit booties and gloves)
Free photos of your rafting adventure available online
Snacks
Guide
Not included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drink, unless specified
Gratuities

Traveller Ratings

4.9
141 reviews
5
134
4
1
3
5
2
0
1
1

Important Information

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The minimum number for tour to run is eight people. Minimum needed for transport is three people.
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • Minimum age is 5 years old. Minimum weight is 40 pounds (18 kg). Maximum weight is 350 pounds (159 kg).
  • Not recommended for pregnant women.
  • Not recommended for participants with back problems, heart complaints or other serious medical conditions.
  • All passenger weights MUST be advised at time of booking.

Reviews(141)

A
Amanda_C
June 29, 2026
Definitely do it!

What an epic experience! Gorgeous views, level 3 rapids which were fun and exhilarating without feeling like you were in danger, amazing guides who kept up the energy the whole time! Would love to come back with my kids! Highly recommend! We had a very rainy day and we still had a blast! Pro tip- bring something loose and cozy to change into after you’re done- getting back into tight leggings will be tough when you’re wet and a bit chilly! Worth every penny!

S
Sushama_K
June 21, 2026
Fun experience, great...

Fun experience, great guide! Good for beginners. Clear instructions. Beautiful scenery. Felt safe on the boat.

A
Andrew_B
June 5, 2026
Just do it

It was an excellent trip. Highly recommended. It was handled very professionally. Very nice views and water

T
teri_k
May 29, 2026
Great rafting adventure

Jachimo was a great guide! Loved his rafting guide stories. The trip was a great adventure for me and my 2 boys ago 10 and 12. The river ran high yesterday and it was a fun, fast adventure filled with enough rapids to make it the right amount of adrenaline!

7
742ariannaj
May 24, 2026
10/10 would do it again

Sooooooo fun! Shoutout to Jared you da goat🐐💯 I went yesterday and had the time of my life🙂‍↕️

H
H8760IEliamk
May 21, 2026
Fantastic Time, better Guides

Loved the experience, especially with the view and friendliness of the staff (It was Tom). He entertained us with many stories (although many were grim) and guided us through the water very well 5/5, would go many times over again

J
J8648TGteresah
May 9, 2026
Highly recommend!!

My husband and I had an amazing time today with Alex as our tour guide! Not only was it fun and safe, it was all very organized and well done. We highly recommend this adventure!

J
Jamie G
September 14, 2025
Our Family + The River = Epic Fun

Rafting the Kananaskis with Richard was the highlight of our trip! My husband, two nieces, and I had an absolute blast—just the right mix of thrills and scenery. Richard kept us laughing, safe, and spotting waterfalls like pros. Bonus points for the snacks at the end—because nothing says “conquered the rapids” like hot chocolate and a little doggo time! The free photos of the whole adventure was a real class act! Highly recommend!

E
Elaine_H
September 6, 2025
Incredible!!!!

Absolutely the best experience of my life!! I was a little nervous at first, but I’m SO glad I went through with it. From check-in to returning back to base, the crew made me feel completely at ease. Our guides, Rachel and Tim, kept us laughing the whole way and made the journey unforgettable. I will 100% be booking another tour with this group—and I highly recommend you do the same!

E
E8504VVangelay
August 27, 2025
Great fun if you're looking for some adventure!

We've done this trip TWICE (last year and this year) and both trips did not disappoint. The guides are fantastic, accommodating, and relatable. We had a large group (ages ranging from 10-70) and everyone had a blast. We did the 1pm afternoon trip (from Get Your Guide) which gave us plenty of time to relax and eat well before hand, while still wrapping up with plenty of time to get to dinner. It's also warmer in the afternoon. The rapids are up to Level 3 meaning there are a couple of Level 3s but also plenty of smaller ones. The 2nd half of the trip is relaxing as you float down the river. Depending on your group, not everyone has to paddle...they can sit in the front (dress warm if you are sitting down in the front... you will get wet!). They will give you an extra fleece jacket that goes over your wetsuit and under your windbreaker. If you're not the strongest paddler, no problem, they will seat you accordingly! Kids loved jumping into the calm water towards the end of the trip. We also saw wild horses and a bald eagle on our way down! The guides teach you everything you need to know and what to expect. The hardest part was getting the wetsuit on and off LOL. Tip: Bring a full extra change of warm clothes, towels, and sunscreen if it's sunny

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