Paddle Jasper’s thrilling Class III Sunwapta River rapids on a self-drive rafting adventure. Meet at the river, leave your car, and conquer continuous whitewater in the Canadian Rockies.
Paddle Jasper’s thrilling Class III Sunwapta River rapids on a self-drive rafting adventure. Meet at the river, leave your car, and conquer continuous whitewater in the Canadian Rockies.
- 9544G9HC+W8F - Add whitewater rafting to an Icefields Parkway road trip with a self-drive adventure on the Sunwapta River. Guests meet their guide at the river take-out, leave their vehicle there, and ride the rafting bus upstream to the launch. After gearing up, they receive a safety briefing and paddle instruction before heading onto the river….
- 9544G9HC+W8F - Add whitewater rafting to an Icefields Parkway road trip with a self-drive adventure on the Sunwapta River. Guests meet their guide at the river take-out, leave their vehicle there, and ride the rafting bus upstream to the launch. After gearing up, they receive a safety briefing and paddle instruction before heading onto the river. No previous rafting experience is needed.
The trip begins with an introductory section where guests practise paddling and work together as a crew. The pace then builds as they enter a sustained stretch of fast, turbulent whitewater, with exciting Class 3 rapids arriving in quick succession. Guests paddle as a team while the guide expertly manoeuvres the raft through waves and technical rapids, including the locally renowned “Whopper.”
Guests spend approximately 1.5 hours rafting 13 km (8 miles) through the wilderness of Jasper National Park. At the end of the trip, they finish back at their vehicle, ready to continue exploring the Icefields Parkway at their own pace.

- Professional, certified river guide
- Short bus ride from the river take-out to the put-in
- Wetsuit, paddle jacket, life jacket, helmet and neoprene booties
- Approximately 1.5 hours of rafting
- Professional, certified river guide
- Short bus ride from the river take-out to the put-in
- Wetsuit, paddle jacket, life jacket, helmet and neoprene booties
- Approximately 1.5 hours of rafting
- Transfers to/from Jasper
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Transfers to/from Jasper
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Gratuities (optional)
Add whitewater rafting to an Icefields Parkway road trip. This self-drive Sunwapta River adventure suits travellers exploring Jasper National Park or travelling along the Icefields Parkway between Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. Meet right at the river, leave the vehicle at the take-out and ride the rafting bus upstream to the launch.
From there, paddle…
Add whitewater rafting to an Icefields Parkway road trip. This self-drive Sunwapta River adventure suits travellers exploring Jasper National Park or travelling along the Icefields Parkway between Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. Meet right at the river, leave the vehicle at the take-out and ride the rafting bus upstream to the launch.
From there, paddle 13 km (8 miles) down the glacier-fed Sunwapta River, taking on fast, technical Class 3 whitewater surrounded by Canadian Rockies wilderness. After approximately 1.5 hours on the water, the trip finishes back at the vehicle—ready to continue along the Icefields Parkway or explore nearby attractions at their own pace. No previous rafting experience is required.
- This is a SELF-DRIVE tour and does not include transportation from Jasper. Meet at the Sunwapta River take-out on the Icefields Parkway, approximately 350 m south of Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge. Arrive parked and ready 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time and wait for the Maligne Rafting bus.
- Allow extra driving time to reach the meeting point. Cell service is limited along the Icefields Parkway, so we recommend downloading directions before leaving Jasper. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
- 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 your swimsuit under your regular clothes to make changing at the river easier. Bring a towel and warm clothing for afterwards, plus water and a snack.
- Wetsuits, paddle jackets, life jackets, helmets 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 operate rain or shine.
- All departure and meeting times are in Alberta Mountain Time (MT).
- Minimum participant numbers are required for this trip to operate. 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.
- This trip is not recommended for pregnant guests or anyone with back injuries or other conditions that could be aggravated by whitewater rafting.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.