Athabasca River Whitewater Rafting Jasper Class: 2 Families

Five miles of splashy rapids, old-growth forest, and a glacial river that needs no experience to run.

Athabasca Expressway whitewater rafting in Jasper is a 2-hour Class 2 raft trip down a 5-mile section of the Athabasca River, a Canadian Heritage River surrounded by rocky mountains and pine forest. No prior rafting experience is required; children from age 5 can join. A certified guide leads the trip, and all technical equipment—wet suits, spray jackets, life jackets and neoprene booties—is provided. Pickup and drop-off from a designated meeting point are included. Check in 15 minutes before departure, and bring a swimsuit under your street clothes plus warm layers for afterward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whitewater rafting and wildlife tours

• Raft along 5-mile Athabasca River
• Learn history of Athabasca River
• Join Maligne Adventures wildlife tour
• Explore Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake
• Enjoy 90-minute Maligne Lake Boat Cruise

The Experience

What makes the Athabasca the right river for a first-timer? The Expressway section is wide and forgiving, with flowing stretches broken up by fun, splashy rapids that give you the rush without the danger. The river is glacially fed and designated a Canadian Heritage River for its scenic beauty and its role in the fur trade exploration that shaped the region. You'll see the valley floor, the rocky mountains rising around it, and old-growth pine forest that has stood for generations—the kind of backdrop that makes even a beginner's paddle feel like an expedition.

The guide is certified and has been leading people through Jasper National Park since Maligne Adventures started in 1999. They handle the technical side—reading the water, steering through the rapids, keeping the raft stable—so you can focus on paddling and taking in the river. All the gear you need is provided: wet suit, spray jacket, life jacket and neoprene booties so the cold water doesn't stop you from enjoying the day. On cooler days, bring a fleece or wool layer to wear under the spray jacket (cotton won't work). The whole experience runs in all weather, so rain or shine, the river flows the same.

Pickup and drop-off happen at a designated meeting point; parking is available all day in the lot directly across the street from the Shell Gas station on Connaught Drive. You'll need to arrive 15 minutes early to check in and sign waivers. Bring a swimsuit under your regular clothes, and pack warm layers and a snack for after the trip. The 2-hour window includes the paddle itself plus the time to gear up and debrief. Children must be at least 5 years old, and anyone under 18 needs an adult with them on the water.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from the designated meeting point.
• a certified, experienced river guide leading the entire 2-hour paddle.
• all technical equipment including wet suit, spray jacket, life jacket and neoprene booties.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcome

Operated by Maligne Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this trip if you want your first whitewater experience or a family outing with young children—the Class 2 rapids give you the splash and the adrenaline without requiring any prior skill, and the wide Expressway section keeps the day manageable for paddlers from age 5 to ninety.

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Top questions

Can a five-year-old actually handle Class 2 rapids on the Athabasca?

Yes. The Athabasca Expressway is designed for families with young children, and kids from age 5 are welcome. The rapids are splashy and fun but not technical—the wide, flowing sections give beginners plenty of time between the small drops, and the guide manages the raft's line through the water so paddlers can focus on staying safe and having fun.

What's a Canadian Heritage River, and why does it matter for this trip?

The Athabasca River earned that designation because of its scenic beauty and its history as a route for fur trade exploration. It's glacially fed, which means the water is cold and pristine, and the valley around it is surrounded by rocky mountains and old-growth pine forest. That landscape is what makes the 5-mile Expressway section worth paddling.

Do I need to bring my own wetsuit, or is everything provided?

Everything is provided: wet suit, spray jacket, life jacket and neoprene booties. On cooler days, bring a fleece or wool layer to wear underneath the spray jacket for extra warmth—cotton won't work because it holds cold water. Dress in a swimsuit under your street clothes so you're ready to change quickly.

Where do I park, and how early do I need to arrive?

All-day parking is in the lot directly across the street from the Shell Gas station on Connaught Drive. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your departure time to check in and sign waivers. Pickup and drop-off from the designated meeting point are included in the trip.

Does the trip run if the weather is bad?

Yes. The Athabasca Expressway runs in all weather conditions, so rain or cold won't cancel your departure. You'll have all the technical gear you need to stay safe and warm, and the river flows the same regardless of the forecast.