Launch from the Icefields Parkway into Jasper National Park’s only commercial Class III run. This 2+ hour self-drive rafting trip mixes glacier-fed currents, progressive rapids and a final soaking near Sunwapta Falls — ideal for first-time rafters who want a serious splash.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The first paddle stroke snaps you into the current: chilled glacier melt pushing the raft forward, spray flicking across forearms, and mountain walls closing in. You’ll launch from a Highway 93 put-in roughly 300 metres south of Sunwapta Falls, and within minutes the Sunwapta River stops being a calm highway and starts daring you.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Moderately fit — able to sit, paddle and brace through sustained Class II–III rapids for about two hours.
Wildlife
History
Sunwapta means 'turbulent river' in the Stoney Nakoda language; the river’s course was shaped by Pleistocene glaciation and continues to reflect glacier melt patterns.
Conservation
The Sunwapta corridor is sensitive to runoff and glacier retreat; pack out waste, respect closures, and follow guide instructions to minimize bank erosion and disturbance.
Reserve your spot on the Sunwapta River Self-Drive Rafting Trip today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Arrive Early — Know the Pickup
Plan for a 40–45 minute drive from Jasper to the Highway 93 rest stop; arrive 15 minutes before departure to avoid forfeiting your booking.
Dress for Cold Water
Wear your bathing suit under quick-dry layers and bring a neoprene top or wetsuit in shoulder seasons — river water is glacial and shockingly cold.
Protect Electronics
Use a waterproof phone case or dry bag; handheld cameras should be secured with a wrist strap or left onshore.
Bring a Change of Clothes
A towel and dry clothes in a locked vehicle make the drive back to Jasper far more comfortable after the takeout.
Neoprene top or wetsuit
Keeps core temperature up in cold glacial water during spring and early summer trips.
spring
Secure water shoes
Protects feet on rocky put-ins and provides grip in the raft.
summer
Dry bag or waterproof phone case
Keeps electronics and small essentials dry while you get soaked.
Warm change of clothes and towel
Essential for comfort after the trip; temperatures drop quickly once wet.
fall