Jasper Athabasca River: Family-Friendly Whitewater Rafting
Make your way to a centrally-located meeting point in Jasper for 5:30pm departure, then travel 15 minutes to a put-in spot by the Athabasca River. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes so you’ll be ready for a quick change into a wetsuit, neoprene booties, and a paddle jacket, and on cooler days, bring a pair of wool socks to wear inside the neoprene booties. Join the river guides for a briefing on rafting technique and safety, then board a whitewater raft that accommodates between six and 10 passengers and a river guide. Put your paddle in the water to help propel the boat through five sets of Class II rapids, so you can practice your rafting skills between laid-back stretches of flat water. Throughout the trip, watch for wildlife at the edge of the river, as elk, deer, coyotes, osprey, and bears thrive in the surrounding mountains. After roughly one hour on the water, you’ll pull to shore at a take out point (it’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes, towel, and a warm jacket for after the river). This 2-hour whitewater trip concludes with transfer back to the original departure point.
Highlights
- ✓2-hour beginner-friendly whitewater rafting trip from Jasper
- ✓Paddle "The Expressway" section of the Athabasca River
- ✓Includes all necessary equipment and instruction
- ✓Round-trip transport from a central location in Jasper
- ✓Ideal choice for families
What you'll see & do
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
What's included
- ✓Wetsuit, paddle jacket, life jacket and neoprene booties
- ✓Round-trip transportation from the designated meeting point in Jasper
- ✓Professional, certified river guide
- ✓Approximately 1 hour of rafting (2-hour round trip from Jasper)
What's not included
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓Food and drinks
- ✓Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- ✓Gratuities (optional)
Good to know
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.
Trips depart rain or shine.
Check in 15 minutes before your scheduled departure at the white Maligne Rafting van in the public parking lot at the corner of Connaught Drive and Hazel Avenue (638 Connaught Drive, Jasper).
All participants must complete a liability waiver before rafting.
All departure times are in Alberta Mountain Time (MT).
The complete experience takes approximately 2 hours, including transportation, changing, safety briefing and approximately 1 hour on the river. Return times are approximate and may vary due to traffic and river conditions.
Minimum participant numbers apply. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be offered an alternative departure or a full refund.
Raft assignments are made at the guides' discretion based on group size and safety considerations. We will make every effort to keep parties together.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Jasper Athabasca River: Family-Friendly Whitewater Rafting
Make your way to a centrally-located meeting point in Jasper for 5:30pm departure, then travel 15 minutes to a put-in spot by the Athabasca River. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes so you’ll be ready for a quick change into a wetsuit, neoprene booties, and a paddle jacket, and on cooler days, bring a pair of wool socks to wear inside the neoprene booties. Join the river guides for a briefing on rafting technique and safety, then board a whitewater raft that accommodates between six and 10 passengers and a river guide. Put your paddle in the water to help propel the boat through five sets of Class II rapids, so you can practice your rafting skills between laid-back stretches of flat water. Throughout the trip, watch for wildlife at the edge of the river, as elk, deer, coyotes, osprey, and bears thrive in the surrounding mountains. After roughly one hour on the water, you’ll pull to shore at a take out point (it’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes, towel, and a warm jacket for after the river). This 2-hour whitewater trip concludes with transfer back to the original departure point.
Highlights
- ✓2-hour beginner-friendly whitewater rafting trip from Jasper
- ✓Paddle "The Expressway" section of the Athabasca River
- ✓Includes all necessary equipment and instruction
- ✓Round-trip transport from a central location in Jasper
- ✓Ideal choice for families
What you'll see & do
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
What's included
- ✓Wetsuit, paddle jacket, life jacket and neoprene booties
- ✓Round-trip transportation from the designated meeting point in Jasper
- ✓Professional, certified river guide
- ✓Approximately 1 hour of rafting (2-hour round trip from Jasper)
What's not included
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓Food and drinks
- ✓Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- ✓Gratuities (optional)
Good to know
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.
Trips depart rain or shine.
Check in 15 minutes before your scheduled departure at the white Maligne Rafting van in the public parking lot at the corner of Connaught Drive and Hazel Avenue (638 Connaught Drive, Jasper).
All participants must complete a liability waiver before rafting.
All departure times are in Alberta Mountain Time (MT).
The complete experience takes approximately 2 hours, including transportation, changing, safety briefing and approximately 1 hour on the river. Return times are approximate and may vary due to traffic and river conditions.
Minimum participant numbers apply. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be offered an alternative departure or a full refund.
Raft assignments are made at the guides' discretion based on group size and safety considerations. We will make every effort to keep parties together.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.