Jasper Athabasca River: Family-Friendly Whitewater Rafting

Experience a whitewater rafting adventure that fits easily into your Jasper sightseeing day. Located just a short drive from downtown Jasper, this 8-km (5-mile) stretch of the Athabasca River combines five sets of fun, splashy Class 2 rapids with peaceful stretches of flowing water in between. Paddle with your guide through the river’s changing pace, taking in mountain scenery from a different perspective and keeping an eye out for wildlife along the riverbanks. With approximately one hour on the water and a complete round trip of around two hours, “The Expressway” offers a genuine whitewater experience without taking up half your day. No previous rafting experience is required, making it a great choice for families, first-time rafters and anyone looking to add rafting to a day of exploring Jasper.

1. 1

   Jasper

   30 min

   Check in at the Maligne Rafting meeting point in Jasper, then take a short, approximately 15-minute bus ride to the Athabasca River. Change into the provided rafting gear and receive a safety briefing and paddle instruction from your certified river guide before launching.

2. 2

   Athabasca River

   1 hour

   Raft 8 km (5 miles) down a scenic section of the Athabasca River known as “The Expressway.” Five sets of fun, splashy Class 2 rapids are spaced throughout the run, with stretches of peaceful flowing water in between. Paddle with your guide through the river’s changing pace, enjoying Jasper’s mountain scenery during the quieter stretches and keeping an eye out for wildlife along the riverbanks before the next set of rapids brings another splashy burst of excitement. No previous rafting experience is required, making this a great introduction to whitewater for families and first-time rafters.

3. 3

   Jasper

   30 min

   Finish your river adventure near Old Fort Point, just minutes from downtown Jasper. Change out of your rafting gear, then take the short bus ride back to the Maligne Rafting meeting point. With the complete experience taking approximately 2 hours, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy more of Jasper before or after your rafting adventure.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Participants must be at least 5 years old.
• Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian.
• No previous rafting experience is required.
• Wear a swimsuit under your regular clothes to make changing into rafting gear easier. Bring a towel and warm clothing for afterward, plus water and a snack.
• Wetsuits, paddle jackets, life jackets and neoprene booties are provided. On colder days, bring an additional fleece, wool or other non-cotton layer to wear under your paddle jacket.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.