Kicking Horse River Rafting: Class III–IV+ Rapids

Paddle into continuous rapids and control your own line through the water

Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River near Golden puts you in a raft navigating class III to IV+ rapids with a professional guide, helmet, wetsuit and lifejacket supplied. The trip combines a short calm section with sustained fast water, and groups stay small so the guide can watch every paddle. Minimum age is 12; you need moderate fitness and at least 90 lbs to join.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whitewater rafting adventure on Kicking Horse River

• Meet guides at basecamp
• Get geared up with provided equipment
• Raft down upper and middle canyon
• Navigate class III to IV+ rapids
• Enjoy calm water sections

The Experience

The day starts at the private riverside basecamp where you get geared up in a wetsuit, neoprene river booties, splash jacket and helmet. The guide meets you there and takes the group straight to the upper and middle canyon of the Kicking Horse River, hitting every significant rapid along the way. You're paddling the whole time — the calm water at the start is your warm-up before the river picks up and keeps you soaked through continuous class III to IV+ sections. Four hours on the water means you get the full run without spending half the day on a bus.

Small, personalized trips are the standard here. The guide leads from the back of the raft and calls the strokes, but you're the one driving the paddle. No experience is necessary; the guide handles the line and the strategy while you follow the rhythm. The river does the work — you just stay in sync with the group and hold on through the drops.

Bring a bathing suit and towel; everything else is supplied. Photos and souvenirs are available to buy after you're done, so you can take home proof of the rapids you just ran. On cold days, pack a fleece sweater under the wetsuit. Leave jewelry and valuables at your hotel — the river doesn't give them back.

What’s included

• Professional guide leading the group.
• wetsuit, neoprene river booties and splash jacket.
• helmet and lifejacket.
• small group size so the guide can watch every paddle.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Kootenay River Runners

Is this one for you?Small groups mean the guide can watch your line and adjust the strategy for your group's pace, which suits paddlers who want instruction and feedback rather than a free-for-all. The four-hour format keeps you on the water the whole time instead of splitting the day between the bus and the rapids.

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Top questions

What are the class III and IV+ rapids like on the Kicking Horse River?

Class III rapids are fast, choppy water with waves and holes that soak the raft but stay manageable for paddlers following the guide's calls. Class IV+ rapids are steeper, with bigger drops and stronger currents that demand quick paddle work and full attention — this is where you stay soaked and the adrenaline peaks.

Do I need rafting experience to book this?

No experience is necessary. The guide leads every stroke and explains what's coming, so you just follow the rhythm and paddle when told. Moderate fitness and the ability to hold a paddle for four hours are what matter.

What's included in the price?

Wetsuit, neoprene river booties, splash jacket, helmet, lifejacket and a professional guide are all supplied. You bring a bathing suit and towel; lunch is your own, though you can eat at the basecamp before or after the trip.

How long is the actual time on the water?

The trip runs four hours total, with most of that time paddling the upper and middle canyon. The guide meets you at the basecamp and takes the group straight to the river, so there's minimal sitting time.

What's the minimum age and fitness level?

You must be at least 12 years old and weigh a minimum of 90 lbs. Moderate physical fitness is required — you're paddling continuously through rapids, so cardiovascular health and core strength matter. The trip is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Can I bring a camera or phone into the raft?

No — cameras, phones and valuables should stay at your hotel or in your vehicle. The river is rough and items don't survive the rapids. Photos taken by a guide are available to purchase after the trip.