Athabasca Falls Rafting on the Athabasca River
Rafting the Athabasca River Below Athabasca Falls
Athabasca Falls Canyon Rafting Experience
Step off the beaten path, and discover the secrets of Jasper National Park.
Tucked away in the canyon below the famous Athabasca Falls is a stretch of river that will take your breath away. Visitors of Athabasca Falls will watch you raft around the river bend, and out of view, unaware of the spectacular scenery that awaits around the corner. After tackling a set of thrilling Class II white water rapids, you will find yourself sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the Jasper crowds, flanked by towering cliffs of limestone.
Trip Details & Pricing
Adults $117 | Children 12 and Under $58.50
Difficulty Class II
Water Time ~1.25 hours
Total Time (from town) ~3 hours
No online booking fee at checkout. Prices do not include Parks Canada Levy or GST.
Athabasca Falls Rafting Departure Times
The times below are to provide a general itinerary. Always meet us 15 minutes prior to the trip times. If you are coming from British Columbia, you will be an hour late.
Trip departure times
May 29th, 2026 to June 19th, 2026
10:30 AM 2:30 PM
June 20th, 2026 to August 30th, 2026
9:00 AM 12:00 PM 3:30 PM
Unrivalled Beauty Along the Athabasca River
The first half of your adventure will take place amongst the towering canyon walls found below the Athabasca Falls, before you emerge to see the Athabasca River Valley open up before you.
What’s Included With Your Rafting Trip
- Transportation
- From Jasper, to the river, and back
- River Equipment
- Wet-suit, boot, jacket, etc.
- Professional Instruction
- From one of our certified Raft Guides
What's Not Included?
Photos
Available for purchase after your trip. $40 for all of your trip’s photos, or $20 for two.
Typical Athabasca Falls Rafting Itinerary
8:45 AM – Meet at the RV Parking Lot
With your swimwear on (underneath some warm clothes) on, you will meet our team at the RV Parking Lot, located just across the railway tracks from downtown Jasper. When you see our yellow school buses, you’ll know you’re in the right spot!
9:00 AM – Depart the RV Parking Lot
Once everyone has arrived, and signed a waiver, it’s time to set off! To get to the put-in, you’ll enjoy a half-hour drive on the spectacular Icefields Parkway. Once introductions have been made, one of our professional raft guides will explain the trip, go over the gear, assign everyone’s rafts/guides, and answer any questions you might have.
9:30 AM – Arrive at the Put-In
After a quick glimpse of the Athabasca Falls, you will arrive at the put-in. Once your bus has parked, we will start the process of getting you geared-up with our river attire, and will provide everyone with a safety talk.
9:55 AM – Walk down to the river
While you are gearing-up, one of our guides will have carted at least two of the rafts down to the river for you. However there may be one left for some eager volunteers to carry. To get to the river, you will be following in the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe as you walk down an old dirt road, learning about its surprising Hollywood history.
10:05 AM – The Adventure Begins!
It’s time to hop on the water! The Athabasca Falls gets you right into the action with a set of Class II rapids just a few seconds downstream. It’s here that our bus driver will take some action shots of you experiencing the first set of Class II rapids. These rapids will be relatively consistent for the first 15 minutes, after which you will enter the serenity of the Zen Gardens, a beautifully calm section of river sure to soothe the soul. For the remainder of your adventure, you will alternate between calm sections of Class I water, and turbulent sections of Class II white water as you make your way through, and out of the Athabasca Canyon.
11:20 AM – Arrive at the Take-Out
Roughly an hour and 15 minutes later (depending on water levels), you will finish your adventure at a small rest stop just past the confluence of the Whirlpool River. Here our bus driver will be waiting for your arrival. After helping us bring the raft onto shore, you will go through our finely honed gear-down process.
11:40 AM – Depart the Take-Out
After everyone has geared-down, and a final headcount has been completed, it’s time to return to the RV Parking Lot. During the drive back into town, we will have a slideshow of all the photos taken during the trip.
12:00 PM – Arrive back at the RV Parking Lot
Before hopping off the bus, you will double and triple check under your seat to make sure you have all of your belongings. After some high fives from the crew, and some sad goodbyes, you will have the opportunity to purchase the trip’s photos from the bus driver (if desired).
FAQ
Is the Athabasca river suitable for beginner rafters?
Yes. Athabasca Falls rafting is a Class II white water trip, making it ideal for first-time rafters, families, and anyone looking for adventure without extreme rapids.
What makes Athabasca Falls rafting different from other Jasper rafting trips?
This trip starts below Athabasca Falls and enters a canyon that cannot be accessed on foot. Once on the river, crowds disappear and you experience scenery most visitors never see.
How long is the Athabasca Falls rafting trip?
The rafting portion lasts about 1.25 hours, with total trip time from Jasper around 3 hours including transportation and safety briefing.
When is the best time to raft Athabasca Falls?
Athabasca Falls rafting operates from late May through August, with peak water levels and scenery in early summer and calmer conditions later in the season.
Do you actually raft near Athabasca Falls?
Yes. The trip begins below Athabasca Falls, where the river enters a narrow canyon. You won’t go over the falls, but you’ll raft through the powerful section just downstream.