Ready to begin your trip down the famous Kicking Horse River?

Hydra's raft guides are ready to introduce you to the wild rapids you came for. Suit up, grab your paddle, and get ready for adventure! We think it’s best whitewater rafting trip in Alberta or British Columbia! The Kicking Horse River is perfect for those adrenaline junkies wanting to get their fix! Covering a distance of 22 km, the Kicking Horse River offers the wildest whitewater ride in the Canadian Rockies.

The Hydra River Base

The Hydra River Base is where your adventure begins and ends. Located a short drive from Banff, Lake Louise and Golden, the journey is filled with stunning views and wildlife spotting. Featuring an exclusive 6 acres of land right on the riverbank, our River Base includes flush toilets, change rooms, and hot beach style showers to make sure you suit up in comfort before hitting the water.

Kicking Horse History

Welcome to the Kicking Horse River, one of North America’s premiere destination for fun, sun, and of course: wild rapids! Located in beautiful Yoho National Park, the Kicking horse takes its name from Sir James Hector’s encounter with a particularly feisty horse during the 1958 Palliser Expedition. Join us for a trip down the river, you’ll be sure to have a blast!

Kicking Horse Canyon

The Kicking Horse River flows through the Kicking Horse Canyon. The scenery is stunning and is an amazing place to raft.

Portage / Shotgun Rapids

The Kicking Horse is famous for its rapids. Some of the most popular stretches are the portage and shotgun sections, named for a 1970 landslide that enabled paddlers to run the rapid instead of having to travel (portage) around it. These class 4 rapids are the biggest on the river! the Kicking Horse Classic ventures through through these rapids.

Wildlife Spotting

In between battling the rapids and making a splash, keep an eye out for the local wildlife that frequent the area. Our "goat" rapid was named for the mountain goats that scale the high cliffs of the canyon beside the river.

The Take Out

Now that you’ve tackled the river, had plenty of laughs, and made memories to last a lifetime, it’s time to dry off and relax! We’ll transport you back to our private River Base where you can get dressed and swap stories of your day with fellow rafters.

A Day Full of Memories

Your wild ride may be over, but that doesn't mean your adventure is. Head back to the River Base to warm up from your day on the water and check out the Hydra souvenirs we have on offer. Ready for your next adventure? Hydra's always happy to see return guests.