 Rafting the Thompson River A word or two on your excursion:
- Reservations strongly recommended
A word or two on safety and on the international river classification system:
- The difficulty of the river rapids are rated from Class I - VI, with I being tame water and VI being extremely violent, unrunnable water
Squamish
Squamish is nestled in a rocky enclave, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and offering plenty of rafting opportunities. Visitors can choose amongst calmer float trips, wilder rafting trips and even an Eagle Safari.
A day trip on the gushing rapids of the Elaho and Squamish Rivers has you rushing past glaciers, waterfalls and picturesque wilderness. For a slightly softer adventure, half- and full-day float and photography excursions down the Lower Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers are ideal for the entire family. Watch for bears and deer.
If you're interested in bald eagles, plan a trip down these rivers during the late fall and early winter when one of the world's largest eagle gatherings soars overhead.
Squamish is a one-hour drive north from downtown Vancouver via Highway 99.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: Lower Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers I - II; Elaho and Squamish Rivers III - IV
- Approximate time required: half-day - overnight trips
- Best time: May - September for river rafting; mid-November - February for eagle viewing
Whistler
When the snow melts in the Whistler area, the glacier-fed waters come to life. Most of the Whistler rafting companies offer excursions on the Birkenhead, Green, Squamish, Elaho and Cheakamus Rivers.
An excellent introduction to paddle rafting would be a trip down the Green River. For more experienced rafters, continuous whitewater opportunities exist on the Birkenhead, which rushes paddlers past old-growth forests and beneath the ice-capped mountaintops of Pemberton. You can also enjoy a day trip on the gushing rapids of the Elaho and Squamish Rivers, rushing past glaciers, waterfalls and picturesque wilderness.
For a slightly softer adventure, half- and full-day float excursions down the Lower Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers are ideal for the entire family. If you're interested in bald eagles, plan a trip down these rivers during the late fall and early winter when one of the world's largest eagle gatherings soars overhead.
Whistler is a two-hour drive north from downtown Vancouver via Highway 99.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: Birkenhead River III; Green River II; Lower Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers I - II; Elaho and Squamish Rivers III - IV
- Approximate time required: half-day - overnight trips
- Best time: May - September for river rafting; mid-November - February for eagle viewing
Chilliwack River
The community of Chilliwack offers rafters two impressive trips, each located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The Classic -ideal for beginners- takes rafters bouncing along over big, non-intimidating waves in a beautiful setting. The Chilliwack River Canyon offers more experienced thrill seekers an action-packed adventure.
Chilliwack is a two-hour drive east from Vancouver via Highway 1.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: The Classic II - IV; The Chilliwack River Canyon III - IV
- Approximate time required: single day - overnight trips
- Best time: June - August
Fraser River and Nahatlatch River
Several good tour operators are located along the Fraser Canyon -just north of the town of Hope- making it possible for visitors to raft the mighty Fraser River and its tributary, the Nahatlatch River.
The legendary, high-volume Fraser River provides rafting thrills aplenty. Motor-powered rafts take visitors along rushing river, through Hell's Gate -the infamous narrow gorge- past sandy beaches and incredible wildlife. As an unexpected treat, rafters will enjoy viewing remnants of the historic Cariboo Waggon Road.
The jade-green Nahatlatch is a marvel to behold. This tributary is ideal for adrenaline seekers who want extreme rapids and the occasional drop. With steep walls and non-stop action, this is not a trip recommended for the faint of heart.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: The Fraser River III ; The Nahatlatch River IV
- Approximate time required: single - multi-day trips
- Best time: April - May, July - October for the Fraser; May - August for the Nahatlatch
Lytton
Lytton's location at the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson Rivers has earned it the nickname, "Rafting Capital of Canada." Rafting in this area is perhaps best known for its pairing of whitewater rapids with a hot desert environment. The area beyond marks the beginnings of the province's warm, dry interior. Both paddle and motor-powered rafting opportunities exist here.
If a half-day trip doesn't seem enough, consider a two-day journey on the Thompson and the Fraser. The incredible scenery includes steep canyons, sandstone hoodoo formations and wildlife such as bighorn sheep. As an unexpected treat, rafters will enjoy viewing remnants of the historic Cariboo Waggon Road.
Lytton is a 90-minute drive north from Hope via Highway 1.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Rated: Thompson River II - IV; Fraser River III
- Approximate time required: half-day to multi-day trips
- Best time: May - October for the Thompson; mid-July - September for the Thompson and Fraser
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