Rivers, Lakes & Water Adventures
Kananaskis Country, Canmore & surrounding area

Popular Rivers & Lakes in the Area

River or
Lake
Activities River
Difficulty
Season Adventure
Level
Known For Bonus! Distances Washrooms
Kananaskis River Rafting
Surfing
SUP
Class 1 - 3 May - Oct Mild to Moderate Scenery Swimming Calgary, 85km
Canmore, 40km
Banff, 65km
At tour base
Canoe Meadows Canoeing
Kayaking
Rafting
Surfing
Class 2 - 3 (occasionally 4) May - Oct Mild to Wild Whitewater facility: hanging slalom gates Campground on site. Controlled flow, check river schedule. Calgary, 85km
Canmore, 40km
Banff, 65km
Yes
Horseshoe Canyon (Bow River) Rafting
Canoeing
Kayaking
Class 3 - 4 May - Oct Moderate to Wild Big waves
Movie set scenery
Cliff jumping Calgary, 70km
Canmore, 30km
Banff, 55km
At tour base
Kicking Horse River Rafting
Kayaking
Class 2 - 4 May – Sep Moderate to Wild Canyon scenery
Big rapids
4km stretch of Class 4 water (lower canyon) Golden, 25km
Calgary, 240km
Canmore, 140km
Banff, 115km
At tour base
Elbow River Rafting
Surfing
Kayaking
Canoeing
Class 1 - 3 June Mild to Moderate Alpine scenery Exclusive limited access Calgary area
Canmore, 100km
Banff, 125km
At tour base
Bow River (Banff area) Floats
Canoeing
Kayaking
SUP
Class 1 - 2 May – Oct Mild Gentle water, mountain scenery Canoe and kayak rentals In Banff.
Calgary, 125km
Canmore, 25km
Yes
Red Deer River Rafting
Kayaking
Class 1 - 4 June - August Mild to Wild Foothills scenery Wilderness feel Approx 2 hours from Edmonton,
Calgary, Canmore, and Banff
At tour base
Vermilion Lakes Kayaking
Canoeing
SUP
n/a Spring - Fall Mild Scenic photography Wildlife viewing In Banff.
Calgary, 125km
Canmore, 25km
Yes
Lake Minnewanka Lake Cruises
Kayaking
Canoeing
SUP
n/a Spring - Fall Mild to Moderate Lake Cruises Scenery In Banff.
Calgary, 125km
Canmore, 25km
Yes
Canmore Reservoir (near Nordic Centre) SUP
Canoeing
Kayaking
n/a Spring - Fall Mild to Moderate SUP Vehicle accessible In Canmore.
Banff, 25k
Calgary, 100km
No
Quarry Lake SUP
Float
Swimming
n/a Spring - Fall Mild Family friendly
No dogs allowed
Next to off leash dog park
NOT vehicle accessible
In Canmore.
Banff, 25k
Calgary, 100km
Yes
Barrier Lake Canoeing
Kayaking
SUP
n/a Spring - Fall Mild to Wild.
Rapid wind increases common. Be prepared.
Blue water
Strong winds
Vehicle accessible In Kananaskis.
Calgary, 85km
Canmore 40km
Banff, 65km
Yes
Spray Lakes Reservoir Kite Surfing
Canoeing
Kayaking
SUP
Fishing
n/a Year-round Mild to Wild.
Rough conditions can occur quickly. Be prepared.
Strong winds
Ice fishing
Vehicle accessible In Kananaskis.
Calgary, 130km
Canmore, 30km
Banff, 55km
Yes (Driftwood)

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