Top Alberta On the Water

The Maligne Valley lies within the expansive Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. With this tour, navigate the rugged scenery with ease and reach some of the region’s most spectacular landscapes in comfort. Discover top natural attractions such as Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake on foot, and enjoy a scenic cruise on Maligne Lake. Along the way, keep watch for sightings of native bears, eagles, elk, and moose in their natural habitat.

Head to Kicking Horse River for a thrilling whitewater rafting experience in the Canadian Rockies. Known for its waves and rapids, Kicking Horse offers mild to wild whitewater options. After being outfitted with top-of-the-line gear, you’ll receive a safety briefing before hitting the water where you’ll expertly maneuver past stunning scenery and through turbulent, challenging or gentle waves and rapids. Base amenities include heated indoor change rooms.

Few places in Alberta offer the postcard beauty of Lake Minnewanka, part of Banff National Park. Admire views of the Canadian Rockies and prairies as you cruise across the turquoise-hued lake and over to Devil’s Gap during this boat tour. Scan the lakeshore for big-horned sheep, deer, bald eagles, and even the occasional bear. Along the way, learn about the indigenous people who used to call the surrounding area their home. A perfect excursion for nature lovers and families alike.

Delve deep into the Banff National Park and admire the scenery from the water on this canoe adventure. Paddle along the pretty Bow River and listen as your guide sheds light on centuries of Canadian history and heritage. Watch the riverbanks for sightings of native wildlife, then finish your canoe tour with light refreshments.

Experience the most incredible sights in Jasper National Park’s Maligne Valley during this guided excursion to the region’s most scenic lakes and majestic canyons. Check out Medicine Lake, Maligne Canyon, and Maligne Lake during your trip, keeping your eyes out for area wildlife and learning about the unique natural history (and more recent human settlement) of the Canadian Rockies. Over the course of the day, you also get to enjoy short walks through the beautiful scenery, and choose between a boat ride or guided hike at Maligne Lake. Your Maligne Valley trip also includes round-trip transport from your Jasper hotel.

The Rockies boast some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery, but the rugged mountain terrain poses a unique set of challenges. On this full-day sightseeing tour, enjoy round-trip travel from Banff and reach far-flung attractions including Lake Louise and the Icefield Parkway in comfort. Stop at picturesque spots including Bow Falls and Moraine Lake, and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour—limited to 22 people.

Saddle up for a journey through the celebrated landscape of Banff National Park on this guided horseback riding adventure. Get out of the car and onto the trails of the Bow River or the Spray River and enjoy the area’s beautiful outdoor environment, largely unchanged from the days of the pioneers. This equine-themed odyssey includes a guide, use of a horse, and all necessary equipment.

No roads lead to the parts of the river you will travel on this expedition. Raft the white water on the Athabasca River through places you can only reach by boat. This guided tour takes you through two exciting sets of rapids (wear your bathing suit!) linked by a serene stretch through the canyon. Take in the Rocky Mountain scenery only paddlers and wildlife get to witness.

Combine sightseeing with an adrenaline-pumping adventure on this small-group day tour from Banff or Canmore. You'll soak up the sights as you raft down the Kananaskis River, one of Alberta's most pristine waterways. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as bald eagles, bears and deer as you navigate the periodic rapids.

Get a little wet and have a lot of fun on the Athabasca River. Travel with your small group to the put in point and raft the Mile 5 section of the glacier-fed river. This section of river is a great introduction to river rafting as it begins with an approximately 10-minute float before the class II rapids start. Experience the gentle thrill of some bumps and splashes on your excursion.

Paddle through the dramatic Athabasca Canyon on a half-day whitewater rafting adventure from Jasper that takes on fun, family-friendly Class 2+ rapids. You’ll start at the base of Athabasca Falls, then paddle a 7.5-mile (12-km) stretch of river with a certified river guide. This half-day rafting excursion includes all equipment and transport from downtown Jasper, and both morning and afternoon departures are available.

Jasper National Park is an amazing place to experience nature, and a gentle adventure on the Athabasca River is a great way to do it. This small group float trip takes you down several miles on the Class II rapids—that means you can expect a few splashes along the way, but nothing too scary. Your guide regales you with stories of the area and its inhabitants as you go.

Experience the excitement of a whitewater rafting adventure on this guided, 2-hour excursion. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure time, then ride along Alberta's Athabasca River in Jasper National Park. This ‘Mile 5’ trip is the river’s most popular, challenging class II rapids. The guide will be taking photos along the way which will be available for purchase at the end of the trip. All the necessary rafting equipment is included.

Get ready for Jasper’s only class 3 rapids on the Sunwapta River. Be prepared: you’re going to get wet. Wear your bathing suit under your wetsuit and bring a towel and your sense of adventure. If you have your own wheels, you can save a bit by meeting the guides at the river instead of paying for the shuttle from the Jasper townsite.

Jasper’s Sunwapta River is a stretch of grade III rapids, where challenging twists and turns and spectacular scenery come as standard. On this tour, spin along the Icefields Parkway road and admire sweeping views over the famous Rocky Mountains. Tackle the swirling white-water currents with your guide, and watch the riverbanks for sightings of native wildlife living within the Jasper National Park.

Bring the whole family along on this moderately challenging—yet totally fun—river rafting excursion down the Athabasca Valley in Jasper National Park. Join a guide in an 8-person raft for a multi-rapid run down the Athabasca River Canyon for a trip challenging enough to be counted as an adventure but relaxing enough for you to enjoy the beautiful canyon scenery along the way.

Experience Banff National Park from a new perspective—and a less-crowded one—with a canoe tour along the picturesque Bow River. Gliding through spectacular nature with your guide at the helm, you’ll get deep into this wild landscape without the need for hiking boots. And with your guide’s knowledge, you’ll get a deep appreciation for Canada’s first national park, too.

Get familiar with the sport of standup paddleboarding in one of the most scenic locales on the planet: Banff National Park. With your guide leading the way—and instructing as needed—you’ll hit the waters of Johnson Lake, far away from the crowds and with Banff’s famous mountains towering overhead. It’s a workout *and* a national park tour *and* an ultra-scenic excursion all rolled into one.

Paddle a fun, 5-mile (8-km.) section of the Athabasca River on a 2-hour whitewater adventure from Jasper that’s perfect for first-time rafters. You’ll ride frothing Class II rapids through ‘The Expressway,’ a wide stretch of river that combines rapids with calm, flowing water. This 2-hour Jasper whitewater trip includes all equipment, as well as round-trip transport from downtown Jasper.

Take on the Class II and Class III white-water rapids of the Sunwapta River with a 4-hour rafting adventure from Jasper, following the dramatic Endless Chain Ridge through Jasper National Park. You’ll paddle alongside an experienced river guide, splashing over an 8-mile (13-km) stretch of fun rapids. This 4-hour whitewater rafting trip includes all necessary equipment and instruction, as well as round-trip transport from a central location in Jasper.

Dip your paddle into the blue-green water of Pyramid Lake and experience Jasper National Park the way it was meant to be seen—from the bow of a canoe. Get up close to nature as your guide takes you across the lake, helping you spot wildlife along the shore and in the trees, as you marvel at the Rocky Mountains above the lake

Keep an eye out for wildlife and spawning salmon on this exhilarating ride down Jasper's mighty Fraser River. The Canadian Rockies scenery is awe-inspiring on this heart-pumping, whitewater rafting tour down Class 3 rapids.

Big mountain views, cool glacial waters, forests, valleys and wildlife: all from the perspective of the river. Great for all ages and perfect for first time rafters, Canmore Raft Tours offers two family friendly river floats leaving right from downtown Canmore. The 1hr "Townie" leaves five times daily at 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm and 6:00pm from the Canmore Boat Launch, which is only a few minute walk from the shops and restaurants downtown. The 1.5hr "Explorer" offers the same easy access, but we extend the tour into the tributaries and explore more, leaving at 6:00pm from the Canmore Boat Launch. All Tours offer transportation from the river back to downtown.