The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region is home to a huge variety of river rafting excursions, all within easy reach of western Canada's largest city. In the southwest corner of British Columbia, the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region is characterized by majestic Coast Mountain peaks, abundant old growth forests, and a wealth of rushing rivers fuelled by melting snows and regular rainfall — perfect for whitewater rafting. When you hit calm waters and have a chance to take in your surroundings, don't be surprised if you spot bald eagles above, black bears or deer on the shore, and glacier-capped summits in the distance.
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Learn More About River Rafting in: Squamish Whistler Chilliwack River Fraser River & Nahatlatch River Lytton Stein River River Rafting in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: There are few places in the world where so many commercially-rafted rivers are within such easy reach of a major city. And with motor-powered, paddle-powered, and oar-powered rafting excursions available, the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region has something for every kind of adventurer, from the laid-back cruiser to the thrill seeker.Take a day trip through the famous Hell's Gate gorge on a large motorized raft, or spend up to a week paddling some of the province's most challenging rapids by day and camping by night. Whatever your time frame, skill level, or budget, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is sure to have the perfect guided rafting adventure.
Drive barely an hour north or east of downtown Vancouver and you're already in prime rafting areas. North of the city on the scenic Sea to Sky Highway are the rafting meccas of Squamish and Whistler , and to the east is the Chilliwack River, whose famous Tamihi Rapids are regularly paddled by Canada's whitewater kayaking team.
In winter, head to Brackendale (just north of Squamish ) and take a float trip to see record numbers of bald eagles lured by the local rivers' spawning salmon.
With so many great whitewater rafting opportunities, it's no wonder that the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region is home to Lytton , the "Rafting Capital of Canada." Located less than four hours' drive northeast of Vancouver, the town is ideally situated at the confluence of the Fraser and Thompson rivers, two of BC's largest.
The Lytton area is also home to the Stein River, the steepest commercially-rafted river in Canada and one of the only commercially-rafted Class Fives in BC.
Getting There All rafting destinations in the region are accessible by car. Greyhound buses service most cities and towns in the region, including the rafting hot-spots of Squamish , Whistler , Chilliwack , Lytton , and the Fraser Canyon area. Whether travelling by car or bus, always check with operating companies for specific directions.
Types of Raft Trips Three types of raft trips are offered by licensed operators in the area: paddle, oar and motorized rafting. Paddle rafts are truly participatory and require you to paddle while the guide steers and calls commands. Oar rafts are similar to paddle rafts, except that a large frame and oars are used to propel the raft. Motorized rafts are used on the larger, deeper rivers such as the Thompson and Fraser. Simply sit and hold on as the raft zips through the rapids. Practical Points and Rafting Safety: Whitewater rafting poses inherent risks, but with proper guidance, preparation and common sense, these risks are greatly diminished. Nonetheless: Companies will require participants to sign a waiver and release of liability prior to setting out. All whitewater rapids are rated on a scale of I to VI. The rapids received ratings based on a combination of difficulty and danger, where class I rapids are the least difficult and class VI rapids are the most difficult. Rafting in BC is strictly regulated by the provincial government, and rafting companies will provide certified and experienced guides who ensure that trips are as safe and enjoyable as possible. Always arrange your trip with a licensed river rafting company. Generally, kids age 10 and older can participate in most rafting trips, though more difficult runs require stronger paddling and may have a minimum age of 15 or 16. Some of the more low-key motorized and float trips are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Age and fitness restrictions will vary by operating company and by route, so always check with the company in advance. All specialized gear — including wetsuits, lifejackets, waterproof jackets, helmets and paddles — is typically provided by the operating company. Guests are usually advised to bring the following: quick-drying shorts or swimsuit (no cotton); shoes or sandals that can get wet (flip-flops are not advised); a fleece or sweater (no cotton); a towel; sunscreen; sunglasses (with lanyard); a dry change of clothes; and a sealable bag for personal items such as cameras. Items required may vary by operating company and time of year; check before you go. Always book your rafting trip in advance. Highlights Squamish Squamish is nestled in a rocky enclave, surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and offering plenty of rafting opportunities. Visitors can choose from calmer float trips, wilder paddle rafting trips, and even an Eagle Safari.A day trip on the 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.
Attributes Rated: Lower Cheakamus and Squamish Rivers I – II (see BC River Rafting for more info on Classes); 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. A trip down the Green River is an excellent introduction to paddle rafting. 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 . Enjoy a day trip on the rapids of the Elaho and Squamish rivers, or a more relaxing half- or full-day trip down the Lower Cheakamus and Squamish rivers. Late fall and early winter are great for river-based bald eagle viewing in the Brackendale area.
Whistler is a two-hour drive north from downtown Vancouver via Highway 99.
Attributes 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 adventurous thrill seekers an action-packed adventure. Chilliwack is a two-hour drive east from Vancouver via Highway 1.
Attributes Rated: The Classic II - IV; The Chilliwack River Canyon III - IV Approximate time required: half-day - overnight trips Best time: June - August Fraser River and Nahatlatch River Several 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, a major gold rush route.
Learn about river rafting at Hell's Gate by clicking on Field Reporter Simon's video below.
A trip on the jade-green Nahatlatch drops rafters down 16 m (85 ft) – ideal for adrenaline seekers who want extreme rapids. With steep walls and non-stop action, this is not a trip recommended for the faint of heart.
Attributes 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." Travelling east from Vancouver , Lytton marks the beginning of British Columbia's warm, dry interior, and some great whitewater rapids can be enjoyed in this hot desert environment. Both paddle- and motor-powered rafting opportunities exist here. And 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. Remnants of the historic Cariboo Waggon Road are sometimes visible form the raft.
Legendary Class III-IV rapids such as the Frog, Devil's Kitchen, Cutting Board snd Jaws are interspersed with miles of calm water, so you'll you have time to catch your breath!
Lytton is a 90-minute drive north from Hope via Highway 1.
Attributes 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 Only one company, REO Rafting, is licensed to run trips on the Stein River, and these are limited to three per year, all in the summer. Trips are two-days/one-night. The first day is spent practicing on the Nahatlatch, and the second is spent on the challenging Stein. These trips attract rafters from around the world. Book well in advance.
Attributes Rated: Stein River IV - V Approximate time required: two days Best time: August Had a Great BC Rafting Experience? Write a short blog about it and share your tips and stories!