Rafting Jacques-Cartier Canyon near Quebec City: Unique shale cliffs

Four hours in a canyon most people never see, paddling rapids and floating past cliffs.

Rafting or inflatable kayak adventure on the Jacques-Cartier River near Quebec City, guided by certified whitewater instructors through a spectacular shale canyon with 75-meter cliffs. The experience includes all equipment, wetsuits, transport from base camp to launch, safety briefing and photos. Rapids alternate with calmer sections for observation, and depending on water level, optional activities like swimming or cliff jumping may be offered. No prior experience required. Children welcome from age 6.

The experience

You start at the base camp in Donnacona, where you get fitted with a wetsuit, personal flotation device, helmet and paddle. A certified guide walks you through the safety briefing (what to expect, how to hold the paddle, what to do if the boat shifts), and then transports you to the launch on the Jacques-Cartier River. The canyon opens immediately: shale cliffs rise 75 meters on both sides, a formation unique to Quebec, and the first rapids hit within meters of pushing off.

The descent alternates between dynamic sections where the current pushes hard and quieter stretches where you can actually look around. Your guide reads the water and sets the pace to match the group, calling out moves and keeping everyone together. Between rapids, you float and recover, asking questions or just watching the canyon walls. Depending on how high the water is running, the guide may offer supervised swimming in the rapids or cliff jumping from safe points. These are optional, and the guide decides what's possible on the day.

The whole thing takes about four hours from arrival to return. You finish back at base camp in Donnacona, and photos from the day are included. No experience is necessary. The rapids are playful rather than extreme, and the guides are trained to adapt to beginners and families.

What’s included

• Complete equipment including wetsuit, personal flotation device, helmet and paddle.
• private transport from base camp to the launch point.
• certified guide throughout the descent.
• safety briefing.
• and photos from the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Family RaftingGuide in English or French · Available from 1 May 2027

Inflatable kayak adventureGuide in English or French · Available from 1 May 2027

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Youth (6 to 10 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rivière Concept

Is this one for you?Choose rafting if you want to steer the boat with a paddle and feel the current push. Choose inflatable kayaking if you prefer a lower-profile boat and a different paddling position. Both give you the same canyon and the same certified guide. The difference is how you move through the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 10 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

Can I choose between rafting and kayaking, or do I pick one before I book?

You choose at checkout: either the Family Rafting option or the Inflatable Kayak Adventure. Both follow the same route and canyon, use the same certified guides, and include all equipment and transport.

What's the Jacques-Cartier River like when I'm actually on it?

The Jacques-Cartier River flows through a narrow canyon with shale cliffs that reach 75 meters high: a landscape found nowhere else in Quebec. The rapids are playful and interspersed with calmer sections, so you get both action and time to take in the scenery.

How far is this from Quebec City, and do I need to drive myself?

The base camp in Donnacona is about 30 minutes from Quebec City. Transport from the base camp to the launch point on the river is included, so you don't need to arrange anything beyond getting to the base camp.

What happens if the water level is high or low?

The guide adapts the descent to the water level. When water is higher, additional supervised activities like swimming in the rapids or cliff jumping may be offered. When it's lower, the focus stays on the main descent through the canyon.