Athabasca River: Our most recommended tours and activities

Jasper: Jasper National Park Easy 2-Hour Rafting Trip

1. Jasper: Jasper National Park Easy 2-Hour Rafting Trip

Relax and enjoy an afternoon that you'll never forget. This is a true Canadian outdoor experience. Take a fun and scenic trip down the Athabasca River, a designated Canadian Heritage River.A National Park-licensed guide will provide commentary on the human and natural history of Jasper while navigating you along the same route used by the fur traders over 200 years ago. The specially designed, 7-meter- or 25-foot-long, oar-powered rafts come equipped with life jackets, and provide a safe, comfortable ride through a few small sets of rapids and calm stretches that any first-time rafter will enjoy. Don’t worry - the guides do all the rowing. All you have to do is sit back and relax while you take in the spectacular scenery.  You may spot various local wildlife, including elks, deer, moose, coyotes, wolves, eagles, ospreys, mountain sheep, and bears. We are a dog friendly rafting company, there may be leashed dogs on the shuttle bus and raft. Please only choose our 12pm departure if you prefer not to have any dogs on your trip. *Customers must call our office ahead of time and confirm if you choose to bring a dog*. Additional fees will apply. Guests who show up with dogs without confirming ahead of time will be refused and asked to re-book into the appropriate Dog Friendly scheduled time.

Jasper National Park Family Friendly Rafting Adventure

2. Jasper National Park Family Friendly Rafting Adventure

Raft the Athabasca River on a thrilling, family-friendly 2-hour adventure set against a backdrop of dramatic alpine mountains, rushing glacial waters, grazing moose, and other wildlife. While you sign your waiver form at the Jasper office, watch highlights of your adventure to come on 8 big TV screens. Then transfer by minibus for the short 15-minute drive to your rafting start point. On arrival, guides will distribute wet suits and safety equipment, and give an instructive and entertaining safety talk to ensure everyone is comfortable. Once on the river, go through a serious of paddle commands and practice on the flat water before you hit the rapids. Paddle and splash 5 miles down river, heading to Old Fort Point and back towards Jasper. Along the way, you will encounter no less than 5 sets of class-2 rapids of splashy white water, ideal for first timers and children aged 5 and up.

Athabasca Falls: Class 2 White Water Rafting Adventure

3. Athabasca Falls: Class 2 White Water Rafting Adventure

The Athabasca Falls trip is probably our most scenic. After a 30-minute bus drive from town guests are suited up in our wetsuit gear. After a safety talk there is a 5-minute portage to the river. This river trip starts with a bang. Once out in the main current the first set of rapids is only seconds way. Once these rapids have soaked everyone in the raft the rafters find themselves in a canyon. For the next 30-minutes there are no trails or roads next to the river it is just the river and you. The canyon ends with another set of rapids and spectacular views of the Athabasca River valley. Once back at the highway it is about 20 minutes to the take out. There are more sections of rapids but also flat section to enjoy and learn about the natural surroundings. All trips are in 8-person rafts with a licensed river guide.

Jasper National Park: 2-Hour Whitewater Rafting

4. Jasper National Park: 2-Hour Whitewater Rafting

Take on the grade 2 whitewater rapids on the Athabasca River while taking in the fresh air and scenic mountain views. Start your tour in the town of Jasper and head only 8 km south to the put-in point. After suiting up in wetsuits and a safety talk, it's off to the river. Begin with a 10-minute float to get comfortable in the raft, experience the river environment, and admire the 360-degree Mountain View. After, embark on the grade 2 rapids which guarantee a splash without the likelihood of falling in. You can choose to swim in the glacial water if you feel brave enough. After 4 or 5 sections of rapids, the Miette River joins the Athabasca and the trip ends just around the corner at Old Fort Point. All trips are in 8-person rafts with a licensed river guide.

From Jasper: Jasper National Park Wildlife Discovery Tour

5. From Jasper: Jasper National Park Wildlife Discovery Tour

Join this daily tour to discover Jasper National Park and its wildlife. Take a 3.5-hour scenic drive in a comfortable sightseeing vehicle to explore the park with a knowledgeable driver/guide. Learn the history, geology, and ecology of the area, as you keep a look out for the diverse wildlife that inhabits the region. Be amazed by the beautiful scenery and see the rich diversity of the national park. Your guide is trained to seek out the park’s most iconic creatures, so you can view animals in their natural habitat. Have your camera ready to capture some amazing photos. At the end of your tour, you'll be dropped off back at your hotel in Jasper.

5-Hour Fraser River Rafting in Jasper National Park

6. 5-Hour Fraser River Rafting in Jasper National Park

On this 5-hour tour you will experience rafting on Fraser River, among the spectacular landscape of the Rocky Mountains. From downtown Jasper in the heart of Jasper National Park you will be transported to the base of the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies for the best rafting around. Starting in the shadows of Mount Robson, the Canadian Rockies highest mountain, you will get changed in the indoor changing rooms and be given detailed instructions for paddling and safety. Once on the river you will travel about 9 miles downriver, encountering fun splashy rapids along with large Class 3 white water. A portage around Rearguard Falls allows you to stretch your legs and enjoy the view before continuing on to the lower canyon section of the Fraser River. This is some of the best white water that Western Canada has to offer. Once through the white water sections you will have a short float, offering a chance for dip in the river and a great opportunity to see spawning salmon and other wildlife such as bald eagles and bears. The bus will meet you to transport you back to the river base, where you can change your clothes and unwind before boarding the bus back to the town of Jasper.

Jasper: Canyon Run Family Whitewater Rafting

7. Jasper: Canyon Run Family Whitewater Rafting

Begin the tour with a 30-minute bus ride to the river at the base of Athabasca Falls. Get geared up with all the necessary equipment and change into your wetsuit. Your highly experienced, certified guide will give an overview of all rafting and safety procedures before you jump onboard the 6-passenger, self-bailing raft. As you embark, hear the thundering of Athabasca Falls plunging behind you. Your raft will join a turbulent stir of whitewater whisking you downstream as your guide expertly navigates the river, surrounded by the high rock walls of the Athabasca Canyon. In the first part of the 12-km ride, punch through consistent sections of exhilarating Class II rapids before the river mellows giving you a chance to relax. Take in spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies and perhaps even spot some local wildlife on the shoreline of this pristine environment. All technical equipment will be supplied including paddles, wetsuits, neoprene booties and paddle jackets. You will need to wear a swimsuit or a t-shirt and shorts under your casual clothes and be prepared to get wet. Bring dry clothes, a towel and on cooler days, wool socks to wear inside the booties and a warm jacket to put on afterward. You are also welcome to bring snacks and water to enjoy on the bus to and from the river. These trips do not require any previous experience and are suited for individuals aged 5 years and above, looking for an introductory whitewater adventure.

Other Sightseeing Options in Athabasca River

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What people are saying about Athabasca River

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 450 reviews

There is nothing more spectacular than the natural beauty of Alberta and Jasper National Park. This activity has one on the mighty Athabasca River, enjoying the scenery and experiencing a thrill as one navigates down the fast flowing glacial water. The raft guides are exceptional and well informed. The activity is active but not overly strenuous. The colour of the water and the possibility of wildlife sighting are two bonus elements of this fun and worthwhile activity.

Great fun without being scary. You get changed on the bus and leave your stuff on it as it picks you up afterwards where you get back in the clothes you arrived in. You're on the water for about 1hr 15m and the guide does the steering, you just paddle when needed. Optional jumping out of the boat at the end which is well worth it, very fresh but not freezing cold as you have your wetsuit on.

It was great fun! We were well looked after and felt very safe but enjoyed the experience enormously. We all returned with damp trousers but that was only to be expected and part of the adventure.

Great scenic journey, experienced and knowledgeable crew and easy with pickup from Jasper town.

Guides knowledge of game we came across created a true learning experience