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Experience the thrill of the Canadian Rockies on a river rafting trip through Jasper National Park. Choose from gentle Class II float trips on the Athabasca River or exciting Class III whitewater rapids on the Sunwapta and Fraser rivers.
Free Cancellation This 2-3 hour guided float on the Athabasca River has Class 2 rapids and Jasper's local history.
Free Cancellation Raft Class 2+ rapids starting at the base of Athabasca Falls and finishing in the wide Athabasca Valley.
Free Cancellation A 2-hour rafting trip on the Athabasca River’s Mile 5 run with Class II rapids for adults and children aged 5 and up.
Free Cancellation Paddle Class-3 rapids on the Fraser River near Jasper, passing through 1-meter waves and glacier-fed whitewater.
Free Cancellation Raft 15 kilometers of Class II rapids through the Athabasca Valley on this three-hour guided trip from Jasper.
Free Cancellation Raft Jasper's only Class 3 river, starting with calm water and ending at the massive Whopper wave.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Jasper National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Jasper National Park rafting trips navigate the glacier-fed Athabasca, Fraser, and Sunwapta rivers. Routes range from gentle Class 2 floats suitable for young children to Class 3 whitewater requiring active paddling. The water stays near freezing year-round.
This wide, stable section of the Athabasca River features Class 2 rapids. The two-hour round trip delivers small splashes and views of the Jasper valley floor.
Rafts launch directly below Athabasca Falls into Class 2+ rapids. Limestone walls rise on both sides of the boats during the first section of this three-hour trip.
The Fraser River route hits Class 3 rapids with one-meter waves. Passengers often spot Chinook salmon spawning in the shallows during this five-hour excursion.
Jasper's only Class 3 route starts on flat water before narrowing into fast, turbulent rapids. Passengers must actively paddle to navigate the four-hour trip.
River water in Jasper comes straight from the icefields and stays close to freezing all summer. Expect a sharp cold shock when the first waves hit the boat.
Most rafting operators run shuttles from downtown Jasper to the river put-ins. You book a specific departure time and meet at designated public parking lots.
Athabasca River trips take children as young as five. The Class 3 Fraser and Sunwapta runs require participants to be at least 12 years old and weigh a minimum of 90 pounds (41 kg).
Put a swimsuit on under your street clothes before arriving. Operators provide wetsuits, neoprene booties, and splash jackets. Bring a fleece or wool layer for cold days, and leave cotton garments at the hotel.
Tours depart from central spots like the RV Parking Lot or the public lot at Connaught Drive and Hazel Avenue. Check your confirmation and arrive 15 to 60 minutes early depending on the specific operator.
Trips run in the rain. The river water is already near freezing, so precipitation changes very little about the physical experience.
Tour prices cover the river equipment and shuttle only. You still need a valid Parks Canada pass, which costs $12.25 CAD per adult daily, to be inside Jasper National Park.
Pregnant travelers and individuals with back injuries or poor cardiovascular health should skip the raft trips. Service dogs with valid paperwork can ride on some Class 2 floats.
Most Jasper rafting operators offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Late arrivals miss the bus and receive no refund.
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| Easy Scenic Float (Athabasca Mile 5) | Canyon Run (Athabasca Falls) | Whitewater Adventure (Fraser River) | Sunwapta Thrill (Sunwapta River) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours | 3 - 3.5 hours | 5 hours | 4 hours |
| Rapids Class | Class 2 | Class 2+ | Class 3 | Class 3 |
| Minimum Age | 5 years | 5 - 6 years | 12 years | 12 years |
| Price (USD) | $68 - $81 | $93 - $96 | $103 | $108 |
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Jasper National Park operates 24 hours a day year-round. Rafting tours run scheduled departures primarily from late May through September.
The Jasper Information Centre at 500 Connaught Drive opens from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm between May 14 and September 27. Winter hours drop to 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Columbia Icefield Centre desk operates from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm in the summer.
Jasper sits 365 kilometers west of Edmonton via Highway 16. The drive takes about four hours. From Calgary, the route follows the Icefields Parkway for 415 kilometers and takes closer to five hours.
VIA Rail runs regular train service into the Jasper townsite. SunDog Transportation operates daily shuttle buses from both Edmonton and Calgary airports directly to Jasper.
July and August offer the warmest air temperatures, peaking around 22°C. This helps counter the freezing river water on raft trips. These months bring 80% of the park's annual visitors.
Late June and early September provide good water levels with fewer crowds at the downtown meeting points. Avoid booking raft trips in April or October when unpredictable weather often forces cancellations.
Raft trips require climbing in and out of rubber boats on uneven riverbanks. Operators do not recommend the tours for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
For accessible park experiences, the paved 2.4-kilometer Lake Annette loop offers wheelchair-friendly shoreline views with zero elevation gain. Whistlers and Wapiti campgrounds maintain accessible campsites and washrooms.
Operators use public parking lots in downtown Jasper for check-in. The RV Parking Lot and the lot at Connaught Drive and Hazel Avenue both have public washrooms.
Change into your swimsuit before arriving. There are no private changing rooms at the river put-in sites. Bring a towel and dry clothes to leave on the shuttle bus.
The Athabasca, Fraser, and Sunwapta rivers are glacier-fed. Temperatures stay near freezing all summer. Operators provide thick wetsuits and neoprene booties to handle the cold.
No. Guides teach basic paddle strokes before hitting the rapids. The Class 2 Athabasca runs require minimal effort, while the Class 3 Sunwapta and Fraser trips involve active paddling.
Wear a swimsuit under your regular clothes. This makes changing into the provided wetsuits much faster. Bring dry underwear, a towel, and warm clothes to leave on the bus.
Yes, on specific routes. The Athabasca Mile 5 and Athabasca Falls runs accept children as young as five or six. The rapids on these sections are small and manageable.
The Fraser and Sunwapta river trips require passengers to be at least 12 years old. They must also weigh a minimum of 90 pounds (41 kg).
No. Rafting runs in all weather conditions. You get soaked by the river anyway, and the provided spray jackets block the rain.
Most operators meet in downtown Jasper. Common spots include the RV Parking Lot or the black trailer near the public washrooms on Connaught Drive.
No. You must purchase a separate Parks Canada pass. Daily adult admission is $12.25 CAD.
Leave electronics on the bus unless they are fully waterproof and strapped to your body. Many operators have a professional photographer shooting from the riverbank.
Total time ranges from two to five hours. This includes the safety briefing, getting dressed, the bus shuttle to the river, and the float itself.
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This 2-3 hour round trip follows the Athabasca River through Jasper National Park. You'll hit Class 2 rapids—small splashes that soak your seat. On the 1-to-6 scale of river difficulty—where 6 is Niagara Falls—this is one step above flat water. It's safe for non-swimmers, toddlers, and grandparents. Thrill-seekers should look elsewhere. National Park licensed guides steer the raft and point out historical sites and wildlife. Roughly half the time is spent drifting through slow, deep stretches. Bring a light jacket even on sunny days (the water is freezing), as the glacial flow keeps the air cool right above the surface.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
You'll start this trip at the base of Athabasca Falls. The first section hits several Class 2+ rapids where limestone walls rise high on both sides of the raft. It's splashy but manageable. Bring a change of clothes for the bus ride back because the glacial water stays cold and you'll get wet. The river opens into the broad Athabasca Valley once you clear the canyon stretch. This second half has flatter water and views of the Jasper mountain range. Most groups spend about three hours on the water and transport. It’s the right choice for families or anyone nervous about bigger whitewater. For heavy technical drops, book the Sunwapta instead.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The Mile 5 run on the Athabasca River takes 2 hours round-trip and covers Class II rapids. Expect regular splashes from the glacial water as the raft moves through the Jasper valley floor. This section of the river is wide and stable. Children must be at least five years old and accompanied by an adult. Glacier-fed water stays cold year-round, so wear the provided wetsuit even if the sun is out. You'll see the peaks of the Athabasca Valley from the water, including Mount Kerkeslin and Mount Edith Cavell. Bring a change of dry clothes for the shuttle ride back to town. If the river levels drop in late August, the rapids become milder and the trip turns into more of a scenic float.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, French
Rafts run the Class-3 rapids of the Fraser River near Jasper. You'll paddle through several sections of whitewater where one-meter waves hit the boat—expect to get soaked. Wear the provided wetsuit because the glacier-fed water stays near freezing year-round. It's cold. Look for Chinook salmon spawning in the shallows during August and September. Bald eagles often perch in the riverside spruce trees, and black bears occasionally appear on the banks. The river route has views of Mount Robson's 3,954-meter peak on clear days. Clouds often hide it. Bring a change of clothes for the bus ride back.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The trip covers 15 kilometers of the Athabasca River, starting directly below the falls in Jasper National Park. Each raft holds eight people and a professional guide. You'll spend three hours on the total round trip, including the shuttle and safety briefing. The route follows Class II rapids. These provide consistent splashes without the risk of a flip. It's the right speed for families. Children must be at least six years old and accompanied by an adult. You'll see the limestone canyon walls from the river level and might spot elk or bears on the gravel bars. Wear the provided gear. The glacial water stays near 4 degrees Celsius year-round, so you'll want the wetsuit. Pick this run if you want active paddling that doesn't require prior experience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, French
The Sunwapta River is the only Class 3 rafting route in Jasper National Park. You'll start on a flat stretch of water to practice paddle strokes before the river narrows and the speed picks up. It's a cold trip. The glacier-fed water stays near freezing, so expect a shock when the first waves hit. No previous rafting experience is necessary, but you'll be paddling for most of the descent. The Whopper is a massive standing wave at the end of the run that douses the whole boat. You'll need to be at least 12 years old to join. Shuttles run directly from the Jasper townsite to the put-in point, so there's no need to drive. If it's a particularly cold day, ask for an extra neoprene layer.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, French