Jasper: Sunwapta River White-Water Rafting Half-Day Tour
Make your way to a central location in Jasper, then travel to a put-in spot by the Sunwapta River in Jasper National Park. 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. Meet the river guides for a briefing on white-water paddling technique and safety, then hit the river in self-bailing rafts that accommodate up to six passengers. The name of the Sunwapta comes from the Stoney Indian term “turbulent river,” and during the highest-water months of mid-June to late July, it lives up to its name with a consistent mix of Class II and Class III rapids. Watch for wildlife at the edge of the water, as Jasper National Park is habitat for everything from tiny pikas to grizzly bears and moose, and enjoy views of the dramatic Rocky Mountain landscape. After roughly 1.5 hours on the water, steer to shore at a take out point—it’s a great idea to bring a towel and warm clothes to change into when you get off the river. This trip concludes with return transfer to Jasper.
Highlights
- ✓Enjoy a unique perspective of Jasper's UNESCO-listed Rocky Mountain scenery
- ✓This beginner-friendly tour is ideal for your first white-water rafting experience
- ✓Combine big thrills with wildlife-watching: look out for grizzly bears
- ✓Hassle-free day trip including round-trip transport from Jasper
What you'll see & do
- ✓Check in at the Maligne Rafting meeting point in Jasper, then board our bus for the approximately 45-minute scenic drive south through Jasper National Park toward the Sunwapta River. Travel along the Icefields Parkway surrounded by Canadian Rockies scenery, with the possibility of spotting wildlife along the way. At the river, change into the provided rafting gear and receive a safety briefing and paddle instruction from your certified river guide.
- ✓Raft 13 km down the glacier-fed Sunwapta River through the wilderness of Jasper National Park. After an introductory section, the pace builds as you enter a sustained stretch of fast, turbulent whitewater, with exciting Class 3 rapids coming in quick succession. Paddle as a team while your guide expertly manoeuvres the six-person raft through waves and technical rapids, including the locally renowned “Whopper.” Along the way, take in the surrounding mountain scenery of the Endless Chain Range and keep an eye out for wildlife along the riverbanks.
- ✓After your rafting adventure, change into your dry clothes and board the bus for the approximately 35–40-minute scenic return journey to Jasper. Relax after your time on the river and enjoy the mountain scenery along the Icefields Parkway before returning to the Maligne Rafting meeting point.
What's included
- ✓Round-trip transportation from the designated meeting point in Jasper
- ✓Additional neoprene layers and gloves when needed
- ✓Professional, certified river guide
- ✓Wetsuit, paddle jacket, life jacket, helmet and neoprene booties
What's not included
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓Food and drinks
- ✓Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- ✓Gratuities (optional)
Good to know
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Participants must be at least 12 years old and weigh a minimum of 90 lb (41 kg).
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.
All necessary rafting equipment is provided, including wetsuits, paddle jackets, life jackets, helmets and neoprene booties. On colder days, bring a 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 departure and check-in times are in Alberta Mountain Time (MT).
Not recommended for travelers with back injuries or conditions that may be aggravated by whitewater rafting.
The complete experience takes approximately 4 hours, including round-trip transportation from Jasper, changing, safety briefing and rafting. Return times are approximate and may vary due to traffic, river and operating 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 determined by guides on the day based on group size and operating conditions. We make every effort to keep parties together in the same raft, though occasionally this may not be possible.
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: Sunwapta River White-Water Rafting Half-Day Tour
Make your way to a central location in Jasper, then travel to a put-in spot by the Sunwapta River in Jasper National Park. 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. Meet the river guides for a briefing on white-water paddling technique and safety, then hit the river in self-bailing rafts that accommodate up to six passengers. The name of the Sunwapta comes from the Stoney Indian term “turbulent river,” and during the highest-water months of mid-June to late July, it lives up to its name with a consistent mix of Class II and Class III rapids. Watch for wildlife at the edge of the water, as Jasper National Park is habitat for everything from tiny pikas to grizzly bears and moose, and enjoy views of the dramatic Rocky Mountain landscape. After roughly 1.5 hours on the water, steer to shore at a take out point—it’s a great idea to bring a towel and warm clothes to change into when you get off the river. This trip concludes with return transfer to Jasper.
Highlights
- ✓Enjoy a unique perspective of Jasper's UNESCO-listed Rocky Mountain scenery
- ✓This beginner-friendly tour is ideal for your first white-water rafting experience
- ✓Combine big thrills with wildlife-watching: look out for grizzly bears
- ✓Hassle-free day trip including round-trip transport from Jasper
What you'll see & do
- ✓Check in at the Maligne Rafting meeting point in Jasper, then board our bus for the approximately 45-minute scenic drive south through Jasper National Park toward the Sunwapta River. Travel along the Icefields Parkway surrounded by Canadian Rockies scenery, with the possibility of spotting wildlife along the way. At the river, change into the provided rafting gear and receive a safety briefing and paddle instruction from your certified river guide.
- ✓Raft 13 km down the glacier-fed Sunwapta River through the wilderness of Jasper National Park. After an introductory section, the pace builds as you enter a sustained stretch of fast, turbulent whitewater, with exciting Class 3 rapids coming in quick succession. Paddle as a team while your guide expertly manoeuvres the six-person raft through waves and technical rapids, including the locally renowned “Whopper.” Along the way, take in the surrounding mountain scenery of the Endless Chain Range and keep an eye out for wildlife along the riverbanks.
- ✓After your rafting adventure, change into your dry clothes and board the bus for the approximately 35–40-minute scenic return journey to Jasper. Relax after your time on the river and enjoy the mountain scenery along the Icefields Parkway before returning to the Maligne Rafting meeting point.
What's included
- ✓Round-trip transportation from the designated meeting point in Jasper
- ✓Additional neoprene layers and gloves when needed
- ✓Professional, certified river guide
- ✓Wetsuit, paddle jacket, life jacket, helmet and neoprene booties
What's not included
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
- ✓Food and drinks
- ✓Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- ✓Gratuities (optional)
Good to know
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Participants must be at least 12 years old and weigh a minimum of 90 lb (41 kg).
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.
All necessary rafting equipment is provided, including wetsuits, paddle jackets, life jackets, helmets and neoprene booties. On colder days, bring a 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 departure and check-in times are in Alberta Mountain Time (MT).
Not recommended for travelers with back injuries or conditions that may be aggravated by whitewater rafting.
The complete experience takes approximately 4 hours, including round-trip transportation from Jasper, changing, safety briefing and rafting. Return times are approximate and may vary due to traffic, river and operating 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 determined by guides on the day based on group size and operating conditions. We make every effort to keep parties together in the same raft, though occasionally this may not be possible.
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.