Squamish: Elaho River Whitewater Rafting & Gear Included

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 40

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

British Columbia rafting adventure with wild rapids and forest views

You’ll paddle wild Class 3-4 rapids on the Elaho River near Squamish with expert guides leading the way. Feel icy spray, catch glimpses of wildlife along ancient forests, and warm up after with snacks and stories by the river. It’s loud, messy fun — you might find yourself laughing at how soaked you get.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Wet and Wild Elaho Exhilarator Rafting

Meet professional river guides
Learn rafting skills
Navigate Class 3-4 rapids
Pass through Devil’s Elbow rapids
Swim through small rapids
Enjoy laughs with crewmates
Raft 10 miles of wilderness
View old growth forests and glaciers
Spot local wildlife by river

The Experience

I didn’t think I’d be laughing so hard while freezing river water smacked me in the face, but that’s pretty much how it started on the Elaho Exhilarator rafting trip near Squamish. Our guide, Jamie (who somehow managed to look dry the whole time), handed out wetsuits and cracked a joke about “Canadian summer” as we squeezed into our gear. The air smelled like pine needles and wet rock, kind of sharp and clean — I kept breathing it in just to remember what real air feels like.

The first few rapids were like being tossed around in a washing machine, but in a good way? I’m not sure how else to describe it. Jamie shouted instructions over the roar — “Left forward! Right back!” — and we all tried to paddle in sync while secretly hoping not to fall out. There was this one stretch called Devil’s Elbow (apparently famous from some adventure race on TV) where my heart went up into my throat for a second. After that, though, everything felt lighter. We floated past old forests that looked older than anything I’ve seen, waterfalls dropping straight into mist, even a deer at the edge of the trees watching us go by. Someone spotted what might’ve been a bear but honestly I was too busy trying not to lose my paddle.

At one point Jamie let us jump in for a swim through some smaller rapids — cold enough to make you yelp but weirdly fun once you got used to it. Granola bars never tasted so good as when you’re wrapped in a damp jacket with numb fingers clutching hot chocolate. The whole thing took about four hours but time got strange; parts rushed by, others stretched out quietly as we drifted between rapids with just the sound of water and someone telling a story about local beavers (I still don’t know if he was joking).

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary rafting equipment—wetsuit, helmet, life jacket—plus transportation options that are wheelchair accessible. You’ll also get a granola bar and your choice of iced tea or hot chocolate after braving the rapids together before heading back still dripping but grinning.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Canadian Outback Rafting Company Ltd.