Waterways
Paddle the pristine, dive into the divine, rip through the rapids. Follow the historical strokes of the voyageurs along designated heritage rivers or cruise a mountain lake that starts in Alberta and ends in Montana. Whatever your water pleasure, more than 600 lakes and hundreds upon hundreds of rivers and streams await you—with a ripple or a roar.
Origins
Most of our rivers start from the glaciers in the Rocky Mountains. As they flow eastward, they pick up rain and snow melt. Although we are fortunate to have an abundant supply of water, conservation is key. For more information about how we protect our waterways, visit Water For Life.
Alberta’s waterways are divided into seven major water systems commonly known as river basins; areas of land drained by rivers and streams. From the northeast to the southwest they include the Hay, Peace/Slave, Athabasca, Beaver; North Saskatchewan, South Saskatchewan and Milk river basins.
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
For an excellent source of paddling information, visit Alberta Recreational Canoe Association (ARCA), a provincial canoe and kayak association with a membership of more than two dozen paddling clubs and associations around Alberta. Check out their extensive directory to find weather and marine conditions; trip routes, maps and river reach reports; where to buy or rent equipment and where to hire a guide. ARCA produces certified recreational canoe and kayak instructors, so all member clubs offer qualified instruction, from beginner to expert
Alberta Community Development describes a number of lakes in central Alberta's Lakeland Provincial Park as a popular paddling loop. Check out the rest of their site for other paddling areas in our provincial parks system.
Skills a little rusty or just getting started? There are qualified instructors and canoeing guides across Alberta who can prepare you for an easy Class 1 float or navigating a Class 5 whitewater. Alberta Whitewater Association offers everything from clinics to races to weekend events for kayakers and canoeists of all skill levels.
Want to get a little farther away from civilization? Try the Back Country Canoe Circuit in the Lac La Biche area and portage through several lakes.
Looking for the ultimate rafting experience? Whether you’re a seasoned whitewater thrill seeker or a rafting rookie, Alberta is brimming with rapids and raging waterways, from mild to wild. Rivers such as the Highwood, Kananaskis, Red Deer and Jasper provide rafting thrills for all skill levels. If you're based in Calgary or Edmonton, The Red Deer is ideal for day trips or weekend outings. The Kananaskis is good choice for beginners or families.The Bow River offers the best of wild and mild—from its skill-testing Class 4 whitewaters coursing through Horseshoe Canyon in the Canadian Rockies to its lazy meander through the centre of Calgary. Alberta's professional instructors and guides are waiting to show you the ropes and the waterways. Rafting in Alberta provides a partial list. To find a comprehensive list of tour operators, see More Info... at the bottom of this page.
Cruising
City Sights: If you love the bygone days of river traveling by paddlewheel, experience Alberta’s waterways by stepping onboard the S.S. Moyie in Calgary or the Edmonton Queen Riverboat.
Mountain Magic: To see the Rockies by boat is an unparalleled experience. A cruise to Devil’s Gap on Alberta's Lake Minnewanka in Banff reveals mountains that thrust straight up from the water’s edge. One of the most memorable cruises in Japser National Park is offered by Maligne Tours. Set out on a 90 minute odyssey on Maligne Lake and stop in at Spirit Island, the smallest yet perhaps most famous of our Canadian Rockies landmarks.
Head south to Waterton Lakes National Park and cruise from Canada to the U.S. on Waterton Lake, which straddles the Alberta/Montana border and is the deepest lake in Alberta's Rocky Mountains.
The Mighty Peace: For a northern cruising adventure in the Peace River area, check out what Peace Island Tours has to offer.
Sylvan Settings: The leisurely three-hour Miss Mermaid cruise on Sylvan Lake combines cruising and dining on a 40-seat houseboat as you glide from the Sylvan Marina to Honeymoon Bay and back.
Ice Sailing
Alberta is a popular destination for iceboating due to Chinook winds that regularly clear our lakes of snow, which means ice sailors can get out more often. You do need to have your own equipment, as rentals are generally unavailable.
Most ice sailing takes place on the Ghost Lake Reservoir, west of Cochrane. Throughout much of the winter, this location offers a large, smooth snow-free surface. Due to the particularly strong winds in the Canmore corridor, Lac Des Arcs is a challenge no serious ice sailor can resist. Popular areas in southern Alberta include the Oldman Reservoir, Little Bow and Lake Newell.
Power Boating & Waterskiing
There are numerous waterways in our provincial parks and recreational areas where power boating and waterskiing are allowed. Bring your own boat or rent from the many operators in the district, who also rent water skis and PFDs.
Sailing
Think of sailing and don’t usually think of Alberta? Think again! Alberta Sailing Association lists sailing clubs around the province that offer cruising and racing, your boat or theirs. Many waterways in our parks and recreation sites accommodate sailboats.
Windsurfing/Kiteboarding
A number of Alberta’s lakes are famous for winds that have challenged many a windsurfer. Enthusiasts flock to Keho, Beauvais, Waterton, Abraham and Cold lakes, where the winds can whip up to 100 km/h (62 mph). If you’re looking for a rip of a ride, two of the best are on the infamous Old Man and Ghost Lake reservoirs.
More Info...
To see the most comprehensive list of operators who provide opportunities to enjoy Alberta’s waterways, click on Advanced under the Search window in the top right corner of this page. Select the Category tab and then click on Activities & Adventures. Choose from Canoeing/Kayaking, Rafting, Scuba, Motorized Boating, or Water Activities.
Related Holiday Ideas
