Jasper Sunwapta River: Class 3 Whitewater Rafting Adventure
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Take on 13 km of fast, technical whitewater on the glacier-fed Sunwapta River in Jasper National Park. With a steep gradient, the Sunwapta delivers a sustained stretch of turbulent whitewater, with exciting Class 3 rapids coming in quick succession once the action begins. Paddle as a team while your expert guide manoeuvres the six-person raft through waves and rapids, including the locally renowned “Whopper.” Surrounded by the wilderness and mountain scenery of the Endless Chain Range, you’ll spend approximately 1.5 hours on the water. No previous rafting experience is required, making this an exhilarating choice for adventurous first-time and experienced rafters alike.
Inclusions
What's included
- Round-trip transportation from the designated meeting point in Jasper
- Additional neoprene layers and gloves when needed
- Professional, certified river guide
- Wetsuit, paddle jacket, life jacket, helmet and neoprene booties
What's not
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Gratuities (optional)
Itinerary
Check in at the Maligne Rafting meeting point in Jasper, then board our bus for the approximately 45-minute scenic drive south through Jasper National Park toward the Sunwapta River. Travel along the Icefields Parkway surrounded by Canadian Rockies scenery, with the possibility of spotting wildlife along the way. At the river, change into the provided rafting gear and receive a safety briefing and paddle instruction from your certified river guide.
Raft 13 km down the glacier-fed Sunwapta River through the wilderness of Jasper National Park. After an introductory section, the pace builds as you enter a sustained stretch of fast, turbulent whitewater, with exciting Class 3 rapids coming in quick succession. Paddle as a team while your guide expertly manoeuvres the six-person raft through waves and technical rapids, including the locally renowned “Whopper.” Along the way, take in the surrounding mountain scenery of the Endless Chain Range and keep an eye out for wildlife along the riverbanks.
After your rafting adventure, change into your dry clothes and board the bus for the approximately 35–40-minute scenic return journey to Jasper. Relax after your time on the river and enjoy the mountain scenery along the Icefields Parkway before returning to the Maligne Rafting meeting point.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 5145
- 47
- 31
- 21
- 11
Ratings come from 155 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Great time on the water
We had a great time and always felt safe
5Best Thing to Do in Jasper
The best, most exhilarating, and fun paid-for activity on our trip to Banff and Jasper. If you are on the fence between rafting the Athabasca or the Sunwapta, go for the Class III Sunwapta, which is even more of a kick. Far more enjoyable than the Banff Gondola or the Columbia Icefields Glacier Adventure. Our guide, Tim, was excellent, as were the other staff, even bus driver Steve.
4Good Class 2 and 3 Rapids
Quick fun rapids with great guides. Lucas was a great guide, pointing out all natural landmarks as we went down the river.
5Great day on the Sunwapta!
Well organised and fun experience. Our family loved it. Great guiding and we had a raft to our family.
5Rafting
So much fun! Great leader(Tim). Felt exhilarated and safe. One of the highlights of my trip!
5Sunwapta rafting
Exhilarating! Wet suits kept us warm despite water 4 Celsius. Gearing up and down was easy. Tim gave good instructions and kept us in the boat! Lots of fun! Can’t wait to see the photos!
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Check in 15 minutes before your scheduled departure at the white Maligne Rafting van in the public parking lot at the corner of Connaught Drive and Hazel Avenue (638 Connaught Drive, Jasper). Look for the van parked near the public washrooms, opposite the Shell gas station.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 18 travellers
- Operated by
- Maligne Adventures
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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 a swimsuit under your regular clothes to make changing into rafting gear easier. Bring a towel and warm clothing for afterward, plus water and a snack.
How it compares in Jasper
- Its from-price is 20% above the median of the 64 experiences we list in Jasper.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 17 of 64.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Jasper
Jasper is a mountain town on the Athabasca River in Alberta, inside the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, among glaciers, lakes and wildlife.
Jasper sits at about 1,060 metres on the Athabasca River, ringed by peaks, in the largest national park of the Canadian Rockies. The town grew around the railway in the early twentieth century, and elk graze on its lawns and wander its streets. The park, together with its neighbours, forms the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site, and it is one of the largest dark-sky preserves in the world.
Top-ranked sights in Jasper: Maligne Lake, Medicine Lake, Spirit Island.
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