There are six major rivers in British Columbia including the Fraser, Columbia, Peace, Skeena, Stikine and Liard and together they offer over 5,500 kilometers of paddling, but that’s only the main channels! Tributaries such as the Kicking Horse, Kootenay, Thompson, and countless others not only provide tens of thousands of kilometers of flowing water, they also offer limitless fun. From whitewater rafting on raging class IV to mellow paddleboard missions between beach-front communities, BC is home to every kind of adventure with enough water to make you cry a river with joyful tears.
Discover some of BC’s best rivers.
Located a scenic 1.5-hour drive from Fernie, the Bull River offers some of the best whitewater in the East Kootenay.
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The “Cheak” is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in the province and for good reason.
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The best part about paddling in Castlegar is you can do it right in the heart of the city because the Columbia River flows its way past the downtown core.
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Joining the Fraser River about 20 kilometres north of Quesnel, the Cottonwood provides both scenic paddling opportunities and exciting kayak fishing for trout and salmon.
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Fernie offers excellent kayaking, canoeing and rafting adventures. From float trips to exciting whitewater, the Elk River and its tributaries offer a wealth of adrenaline, wildlife and relaxation.
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Named by a surveyor in 1858 who was reportedly booted by his pack horse, this world-class river has been thrilling paddlers for decades.
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The water reflects a mosaic of green underneath the jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains as the canoe pierces the still surface. Meanwhile, a heron stands among the grasses on the shoreline…
Imagine standing on a paddle board watching a prehistoric river giant swimming underneath your SUP. The clear waters in the Columbia River near Castlegar, BC, allow paddlers the chance to see groups…
Here are 16 ways to slightly alter our paddling practices and improve our experiences at all of the wild places in BC.
