Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Backcountry Glamping at Shadow Lake Lodge, Banff National Park

Shadow Lake is one of the most beautiful destinations in backcountry Banff National Park, and it is easily reached year round via the Redearth Creek Trail. The trail can be hiked, biked, or skied as a long day trip (14 km one way,) but I recommend splurging on an overnight stay at the decadent Shadow Lake Lodge.

Gorgeous Shadow Lake in Banff National Park

A few weeks ago, I was given an incredible opportunity to spend a night at the backcountry Shadow Lake Lodge in Banff. My family wasn't able to join me (work + school) but I wasn't passing up this trip - and I found a couple of very willing girlfriends to join me.

I got to experience the luxury of going backpacking in the Canadian Rockies without a tent or sleeping bag, and I carried nothing other than my regular day hiking gear, lunch for the first day, and basic overnight items (PJs, toothbrush, etc.)

Waiting for me was my own private cabin at the lodge, gourmet home cooked meals, hot water + showers, and a comfortable bed to sleep in!

Note, there have been operational changes as of late 2024. All stays are now self-catered. Read more below.

Backcountry Shadow Lake Lodge in Banff National Park

Introduction to Shadow Lake Lodge

Shadow Lake Lodge was first established as a backcountry rest house by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1930. Ownership was then transferred to the Brewster family of Banff in 1938 who ran the property as a backcountry lodge until just recently when the lodge was sold to the Alpine Club of Canada in 2019. (Read more about the history of the lodge here.)

The Alpine Club of Canada maintains a large collection of backcountry huts, cabins, and shelters across Southern Alberta and BC, but Shadow Lake is their first luxury property offering private cabins rather than guests all sharing one cabin and sleeping in the same room slumber party style.

Sunrise at Shadow Lake

The lodge is situated in a beautiful meadow a short distance from Shadow Lake, easily visited in the evening after dinner or the next morning after breakfast. Or I highly recommend visiting the lake for sunrise!

Shadow Lake is a short walk from the lodge, and perfect for those sunset and sunrise photos

NEW Exciting Operational Changes as of Winter 2024-2025

The following is from the Alpine Club of Canada.

"Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to share some significant changes to our operational model. Going forward, we will be providing accommodation with fewer services and a corresponding reduced price. These changes will make the lodge and this breathtaking backcountry area of Banff National Park more accessible to all of our guests and ACC members."

What to expect from a stay at Shadow Lake Lodge:

A self-catered kitchen shared by all of our guests. Guests will bring and prepare their own food.
Private, heated cabins with the same excellent facilities, but without linens. Guests will bring their own sleeping bags.
Cabins will remain private (not shared with other guests or groups) and will accommodate between two and five guests each.
Continued access to the communal washhouse, lounge, and dining areas for your enjoyment.
A full-time custodian who will host our guests.
Wine, beer, and SLL merchandise available for purchase.

Girls weekend at Shadow Lake Lodge

A Backcountry Lodge with Private Cabins, Showers, and Hot Water

Nothing says decadence in the backcountry like hot water and sleeping in a real bed off the ground! Take a hot shower when you arrive and enjoy a comfortable sleep in your own private cabin with two double or queen sized beds per cabin (A couple of cabins also have king beds and two family cabin can accommodate up to five people.)

There are no bathrooms in the cabins, but the shower cabin is a short walk away where you'll find toilets, sinks with hot running water, and then of course the showers. Bring your own towel.

Other than the private cabins, there are two shared cabins, one for meals, and one with a fireplace for common gathering in the evenings. During the summer you'll likely spend a fair amount of time outside on your cabin porch. Come winter however, that shared fireplace cabin is a very cozy place.

Relaxing on our cabin porch in the afternoon was one of my fav. highlights of our stay

Overnight Stays at Shadow Lake Lodge

The lodge used to require two night stays from their guests. This has changed to nightly stays permitted and there is no more two-night minimum.

All stays are priced per cabin so if you see $350 on the website, that is the cabin price for 2-5 people.

For information on rates at the lodge, visit the Shadow Lake website. And I encourage you to sign up for their newsletter where they promote their specials.

Photo below shows one of the family cabins. Bring your own sleeping bag and pillow case.

Inside one of the family cabins at Shadow Lake Lodge

Cozy private cabins at Shadow Lake Lodge

Access to Shadow Lake via Redearth Creek (hiking, biking or skiing)

The easiest access for the lodge is via the Redearth Creek Trail which is basically an old gravel/dirt road. The trail is used by mountain bikers, cross country skiers, and hikers looking to access Shadow Lake and the Bow Valley Highline Trail which runs all the way from Sunshine Village in Banff to Arnica Lake on the Banff border with Kootenay National Park.

Redearth Creek isn't the most interesting trail in the Rockies but it provides the shortest and easiest way to get to Shadow Lake. You hike the old road for 11km to the junction with Pharaoh Creek and then continue for a final 3km on a narrower trail to the lodge.

The Redearth Creek Trail is the easiest way to access Shadow Lake Lodge

The first 11 kilometres can be biked, but you must lock your bike up at the junction before the final climb to the lodge. (There are bike racks at the junction.) The next 3 kilometres starts with a steep hill that most skiers will walk, carrying their skis to the top. It takes about 15 minutes to get up the hill, and then the trail flattens out again for easier hiking or skiing.

Overall, the trail gains less than 500 metres of height, spread out over the 14 km. It's an easy mountain bike ride and an upper intermediate trail for cross-country skiing. As a hike, it's very easy compared to the other trails that access Shadow Lake, and the elevation gain is always very gradual (other than the one hill at the junction.)

And note if you choose to bike in winter, you'll need a fat bike, but you can go all the way to the lodge. You only need to walk the final 3km in summer.

Allow for 4 to 5 hours to reach the lodge if hiking.

We were like a traveling circus on our first family visit to the lodge (sled, snowshoes, and skis)

In the winter, this is one of my favourite cross-country ski trails, and it's also great on snowshoes. On our first family visit to the lodge we looked a bit like a traveling circus! We had to hike the lower trail due to lack of snow that year, and then we switched to snowshoes higher up. Then we had also brought skis for the way out. Add a stupid sled (that I wouldn't recommend,) and it was an interesting trip!

Now that my son is 14, I hope to visit the lodge again as a family, and we'll all be skiing the entire time. There will be no snowshoes and definitely no sled.

I highly recommend skiing this trail in winter

And if you're visiting with young children, this trail is amazing with a balance bike. My son used his when he was a preschooler on a previous visit to the lodge. We had to carry it a bit on the way in, but man could he fly riding out! (My husband had to jog to keep up!) - And we took the balance bike all the way to the lodge.

The trail would also be chariot-friendly or doable with a big wheel jogging stroller. The one steep hill from the Redearth Creek junction would be your only challenge, but I believe you could push the empty chariot or stroller up the hill with a child walking or carried. - just know that once you arrive at the lodge you will have to park the stroller for any additional hikes, so bring a child carrier if you need one.

The Redearth Creek Trail is exceptionally easy on a bike!

Access to Shadow Lake via Arnica and Twin Lakes (Summer hiking)

I've been to Shadow Lake a few times in summer/autumn (either to stay at the lodge or on tent backpacking trips) and I've always hiked in via Vista, Arnica and Twin Lakes, which is a more scenic approach than the Redearth Creek Trail.

On my recent trip we took this scenic way in and then we hiked out via the Redearth Creek Trail. This is my preferred way of visiting Shadow Lake but requires two vehicles.

Looking down on Vista Lake from Highway 93

The first lake on the trail: Vista Lake

You can see from the map below where we started at the parking lot on the border with Kootenay National Park on Highway 93. This is a very scenic trail which descends from the highway to Vista Lake before climbing to Arnica Lake, the Twin Lakes, and then Gibbon Pass. You descend from Gibbon Pass to arrive at the lodge.

There are several day hiking options while staying at the lodge, and then I recommend hiking out via Redearth Creek to the TransCanada Highway.

It took us just under 6 hours to complete the hike in via the lake route. Then it took us 4.5 hours to hike out via Redearth Creek. Both trails have approximately the same distance, but the lake route has much more height gain.

It takes approximately 15 minutes to drive between the two parking lots (a 16 km drive.) It's not a long shuttle, but longer than I'd want to do on a bike or on foot!

Map courtesy of Shadow Lake Lodge

What to expect on the Arnica / Twin Lakes Trail

The trail begins by losing 137 metres of height as you descend to Vista Lake in 1.4 kilometres.

You then climb 579 metres to reach Arnica Lake over 3.6 km and this is where you'll earn the decadent meals at Shadow Lake. I always find this section to be a grind, and it's usually hot and humid in the forest. We all had sweat running down our faces on our recent trip and we had to stop for numerous breaks.

Looking WAY down on Vista Lake from the trail to Arnica Lake

Beautiful Arnica Lake with it's different hues of green

Upon reaching Arnica Lake, you have another 138 metres to gain in less than a kilometre before you reach the high point above the Twin Lakes. The bad news however - you have to descend to reach the lakes. (Losing 229 metres over 2.4 km.)

Crossing boggy sections on the way to the Upper Twin Lake

The trail gets a bit boggy and wet around the Twin Lakes so expect a bit of mud. Fortunately there are simple wooden bridges over the worst sections and large boulders assist with one creek crossing.

I recommend poles to help with any rough sections.

Approaching the Upper Twin Lake

This was where we took our first real break of the day, eating our lunch to summon fresh strength for the final climb to the top of Gibbon Pass.

The Twin Lakes make for a gorgeous destination even for a day hike

The Twin Lakes make for a beautiful destination and I'd recommend visiting them for a day hike from the lodge if you hike in/out via Redearth Creek.

There is honestly no bad scenery on this hike

After reaching the two Twin Lakes, you begin to climb again to reach the top of Gibbon Pass. Fortunately, this is a very gradual section of trail and it's a breeze compared to the climb to Arnica Lake. And it's only 224 metres of very gradual climbing here spread out over 2.7 km.

This larch forest is magical late September when everything is golden!

From the pass it's another 3 km to reach the lodge, all downhill, losing 450 metres of height.

It takes about an hour to reach the lodge from pass.

It's a great feeling to finally reach this large monument!

And somewhere along the descent, it began to occur to us that we'd have to repeat this all over again the next morning (since we were only staying one night) because we hadn't set up a car shuttle.

We were going to have to climb that 450 metres the next morning (a steep climb at that) and then we'd have to climb back up the ~200 metres to the high point above Arnica Lake. Then, before reaching the car, we'd have the final climb from Vista Lake back up to the highway.

Thankfully one of the lodge staff members assisted us with a shuttle so we could hike out Redearth Creek.

Edit:

I have since done the return hike out via Gibbon Pass on a follow up trip to the lodge, and it's an easy climb back up to the pass if you have a rest day in between. The trail actually didn't feel very steep at all this past September when I was at the lodge.

We easily hiked both in and out over Gibbon Pass and enjoyed not having to set up a vehicle shuttle.

I love Gibbon Pass (but it's especially beautiful late autumn with the golden larch trees)

And below is what to expect if you visit this area late September! The photos were taken on a backpacking trip I took to Shadow Lake many years ago. As a trip, most of it was miserable, with rain the entire hike in, and we could smell the amazing lodge food from our campground. I swore I'd never camp there again. We huddled under a tarp in the rain, eating our dehydrated backpacking food, while I dreamed of the warm fire at the lodge.

Twin Lakes and Gibbon Pass are magical late autumn with golden larch trees

Total trip distance

According to the Shadow Lake website, the distance via Arnica and Twin Lakes is 14 km (the same as for Redearth Creek.) However, the height gain is listed as 960 metres (compared to the 440 metres for Redearth Creek.)

It's suggested you allow up to 7 hours to hike in via Arnica Lake

It took us just under 6 hours to complete the hike in.

Note RE distances and height gain: All distances and heights gained/lost are approximate! The numbers above are taken from my Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies book. Added up, they might not total the 14km (listed on the lodge website.)

I find every book, website, app to be different. When we tracked the hike, we actually tracked 15 km with 1000 metres of height gain.

See the route from Vista Lake to Shadow Lake Lodge on All Trails here.

Another photo of backcountry Arnica Lake (one of the prettiest lakes in Banff)

Day Trips from Shadow Lake Lodge

When you arrive at the lodge, there are several options for day trips. Below are the top choices:

Shadow Lake and the Cirque above the lake (stopping to visit the iconic Parks Canada red chairs at the end of the lake.) This hike would be 8-10 km return depending on how far past the lake into the cirque you go. - Link goes to the All Trails site.
Gibbon Pass - If you didn't hike in via Gibbon Pass, this makes for an excellent day trip from the lodge. It is only 6 km return with 450 metres of height gain, and if you're at the lodge late September, this should definitely be your first choice for the golden larch trees.

From Gibbon Pass you can continue on to the Twin Lakes, again if you didn't hike in this way.

See the full route on All Trails covering the Vista Lake - Arnica Lake - Twin Lakes - Gibbon Pass hike. Hike as far as you want from the lodge and return the same way.
Little Copper Mountain via Gibbon Pass - This is the easiest mountain you can climb from the lodge and in late fall the larch trees are spectacular from the top of Little Copper Mountain. You also get great views of Shadow Lake far below.

It's only 7 km return with 700 metres of height gain (400 of which takes you to the pass itself.) And it's a fairly easy summit given that my son first did it when he was 5 years old. The link above goes to the All Trails website

Haiduk Lake and Whistling Pass - From the lake, take the trail heading towards Egypt Lake to the junction with Ball Pass. Continue on to reach Haiduk Lake, and then climb to the top of Whistling Pass if you choose. It is approximately 14 km return to reach Haiduk Lake from the lodge. Add another 3 km round trip if you want to visit the pass.

You can see the full route on All Trails which starts at Sunshine Village and goes over both Healy Pass and Whistling Pass to reach Shadow Lake. This route then continues on over Gibbon Pass to Highway 93 making for one epic traverse for strong hikers.

Should you choose this trip, you'd hike to the lodge from the Sunshine Village Ski Resort in Banff, and then you'd need a second vehicle at the Vista Lake trailhead. You can either hike up the Healy Pass Trail from the bottom of the ski resort or you can take the gondola up, and then hike to Healy Pass via Simpson Pass for less climbing. Both make for stunning but long days.

Little Copper Mountain with Gibbon Pass and Shadow Lake far below

Shadow Lake is definitely the first outing you need to make from the lodge

Big Reasons for Families to Love Shadow Lake Lodge

We visited shadow Lake Lodge twice when our son was younger, once in winter, and once in autumn. Both trips were extremely successful.

The easiest backpacking trip ever!

We've done proper backcountry trips as a family and let me tell you, there's a LOT of stuff to bring! Fortunately we're done with diapers and bottles, but backpacking with kids is still a fine art that takes years to master (if you ever do) and the more children you have, the more gear you're going to have to carry.

We visited Shadow Lake Lodge a couple of times when our son was younger and it was gloriously easy for a backcountry trip. Our son carried some snacks, a water bottle, and... - that's about it. Our packs as adults were moderately heavier but only because we chose to bring luxury items for our son such as books, an electronic tablet, and a few toys for down time.

Now, for 2025 onwards, you'll carry your food + sleeping bags, but that's still a far cry from a typical backpacking trip.

We never could have hiked here as a young family in winter without staying at Shadow Lake Lodge

Private cabins

Families will especially appreciate having their own cabin. No other backcountry lodge in the Rockies offers individual cabins for each family/group unless you pay extra at a couple of them (a lot extra.) Most backcountry lodges provide small rooms in the shared building (that are seldom very soundproof.)

And if you've every stayed at a backcountry hut, you'll appreciate not having to sleep in a large shared room, all together with the other guests (some getting up at crazy early hours for alpine climbs, and others going to bed very late.)

My son has always been an "early to bed" kid and it was challenging in the early years putting him to sleep in backcountry huts or lodges where the adult guests would stay up for hours past his bedtime, playing games and chatting loudly. Shadow Lake provides privacy for families who want quiet time on their own schedule.

Our son biked most of the way in and out from the lodge thanks to this little bike

Easy hiking

The Redearth Creek Trail is well maintained and easy to follow. You'd be seriously hard pressed to get lost going into Shadow Lake Lodge.

There's also a lot of easy exploring to do from the lodge. On one winter trip, we spent half a day playing at the lake and felt safe at all times. When we finished snowshoeing on the lake we came back to the lodge, played in the meadow and enjoyed afternoon tea. On an autumn visit, we hiked up Gibbon Pass and summited Little Copper as a family. That was a great day trip, and a very easy summit.

Little Copper was a fantastic day hike from the lodge when we visited one autumn

Special items to consider bringing

Bring "quiet time" activities for your child/children so that if you choose to hang out in the fireside cabin together as a family, your kid(s) won't be running around like crazy disturbing everybody.

I also recommend baby monitors with small children so you can put them to bed earlier while you retreat to the fireside cabin.

Shadow Lake Lodge is a fantastic destination for young families

An Enjoyable Backcountry Trip for All Experience Levels

Shadow Lake was the first backcountry lodge I ever visited with my husband, skiing in one winter after I'd just moved to Calgary some 20+ years ago. It was the perfect backcountry getaway for this princess at the time, very new to mountain sports and eager to try a winter backpacking trip (without having to sleep in a tent!)

I still remember how proud I felt that I'd actually skied into a backcountry lodge. It seemed like a huge accomplishment and it was one of those first big adventures that fueled many more to come.

5 years later, I hiked into the lodge with my mother, who would have given a hard nope to any kind of camping (even in summer!) We hiked in via Arnica Lake, which was a bit much for the two of us in hindsight, but we made it, and had a lovely stay at the lodge. Since then I've taken my mother to a couple of other backcountry lodges (both summer and winter,) and these will be core memories I have together with her as mother and daughter.

Shadow Lake is gorgeous summer or winter! (and easily visited for all abilities)

For my third solo trip (without a child in tow,) I just recently visited Shadow Lake with two girlfriends and realized how amazing it is for a girls' getaway! (and you only have to pay for one person when you do it this way!)

It was a refreshing experience visiting the lodge without my family, and not having to worry about whether my son would like the food, whether dinner would be too late for him, whether he'd enjoy the hike in... - I only had to focus on myself!! (And I'm easy to please.)

Last winter I skied into the lodge as a day trip (a long day with ~30 km round trip distance) but I can't wait to return and actually stay overnight again. Add snowshoes instead of skis, and most people could easily reach the lodge summer or winter.

Shadow Lake is a great girls' trip destination for a glamping weekend!

Plan Your Trip to Shadow Lake Lodge

Visit the Shadow Lake website to view availability and rates for a potential upcoming visit. If planning a trip this year, I highly recommend planning around the third or fourth week of September when the larch trees will be at their peak for golden splendor around Gibbon Pass above the lodge.

Leave Moraine Lake to the tourists, and enjoy crowd-free hiking around Gibbon Pass on quiet peaceful trails. (Day hikers usually turn around by the Twin Lakes.)

Gibbon Pass is magical late September!

Winter is a great time to visit to the lodge. It's an easy snowshoe or winter hike up the Redearth Creek Trail, and intermediate cross-country skiers will love the trip. The trail is groomed and trackset regularly. And, if you stay for more than a night, there are several choices for easy outings from the lodge that won't take you into avalanche terrain.

I recommend signing up for the lodge newsletter so you receive emails for any new specials that they offer.

Grab a friend and book a couple of nights for this coming winter

This was my fav. ski trip last winter! I can't wait to repeat it this coming season

Additional Reading

Read about my previous trips to Shadow Lake Lodge in the winter and autumn seasons:

Read: Autumn Larch Hiking at Shadow Lake Backcountry Lodge, Banff

Read: Ski, Hike, or Bike into Shadow Lake Backcountry Lodge, Banff

Disclaimer: My recent stay was hosted in partnership with the Alpine Club of Canada and Shadow Lake Lodge. All words, opinions, and photos are my own.

Monday, June 26, 2023

Rafting the Kootenay River in Radium Hot Springs

We love camping in the Columbia Valley where options for summer fun are endless! Last summer we tried a brand new-to-us adventure with a full day rafting tour on the Kootenay River out of Radium Hot Springs. Our wilderness tour included a second breakfast mid morning, a riverside lunch, and a visit to the incredible Pedley Falls. We had a fantastic experience on our family-friendly full day expedition.

Rafting the Kootenay River is a fabulous wilderness experience

Thrilling Rafting Adventures in the Columbia Valley

Last summer we spent a day on the Kootenay River with Kootenay River Runners out of Radium Hot Springs. We chose the full day tour because it had been a longtime dream of mine to see the incredible Pedley Falls, a beautiful backcountry waterfall only accessible from the river, and so remote many people choose to do overnight trips to visit the site.

Kootenay River Runners runs half and full day adventures on the Kootenay River (near Radium Hot Springs,) Toby Creek (near Invermere,) and the Kicking Horse River (near Golden.)

Toby Creek is the ideal choice for a "quick and wet" 2-hour rafting tour that won't take up the whole day. Kids must be 8+, and this is a white water trip with class 1-III rapids.

The Kicking Horse River is the ultimate "adventure river" for those wanting a more "extreme" white water experience. Youth must be 12+ for this one, and you'll enjoy prolonged sections of class III and IV rapids in a four hour trip. - Save this one for a warm day because you will be drenched!

The Kootenay River offers more of a "wilderness" adventure for those wanting to enjoy the scenery more than a wild whitewater experience. You'll still get thoroughly wet on this class II-III whitewater trip, but you likely won't have to worry about being tossed out of the raft at any time.

The Kootenay River tours are open to kids as young as 5+, and you can choose from the 5 hour half day trip all the way up to the full 8+ hour full day "expedition" that my family enjoyed.

Rafting tours are great for families and groups of friends traveling together

Classic Half Day Tours on the Kootenay River

Both half and full day tours begin at 9am in the Village of Radium Hot Springs. From the Kootenay River Runners office, you board a school bus and head out together to the boat launch site near Nipika Mountain Resort just outside Kootenay National Park. The bus ride to the boat launch took at least 45 minutes so bring a travel mug full of coffee for the ride if you're not a morning person!

Both half and full day clients enjoy the morning together on the river for a relaxed sightseeing float and a mid-morning breakfast stop with fresh cinnamon buns, coffee, and snacks. The morning rapids are tame and you shouldn't get wet on this part of the trip (which is good if it's a cool morning!)

The half day tour is listed as a 5+ hour trip which includes the driving time to and from the river. Expect to be on the river for at least 2 hours.

We started out with a group of families who were only participating in the half day tour. At noon, we pulled over on the river next to a logging road to find the next group waiting to join us for the extended half day tour. The bus swapped out clients, our new friends jumped in the rafts, and off we continued for the rest of our tour.

The classic half day tour is ideal for groups who:

Want to enjoy a short rafting float trip rather than a wild full day expedition
Don't want to get wet or are scared of class III rapids
Have younger children with short attention spans
Are short on time and can't commit to a full day tour
Want a "taste" of rafting before signing up for a bigger trip that might prove to be too much for younger children

Our morning crew ready to hit the water

Extended Half Day Tours on the Kootenay River

Skip the morning "sightseeing gentle float" and jump straight into the action with the larger class III waves on this tour. Sleep in a bit longer, and enjoy a more relaxed start to your day.

This tour starts at 11am at the Radium Hot Springs office. You board the bus, and arrive at the river around noon to meet the rafts from the morning half day tour.

The extended half day tour includes a riverside lunch around 1:00pm, takes you through sections of class II and III rapids, and visits the gorgeous Pedley Falls.

This tour is 6+ hours in length depending on the season. Our trip didn't finish until 7:00pm in Radium because it was late summer and the river was flowing at a slower speed. For a faster float trip, book your rafting adventure earlier in the summer.

Group shot in front of Pedley Falls

Full Day "Expeditions" on the Kootenay River

Combine the two tours above and you have the full day 45 km, 8+ hour river expedition. When we did our tour last August, our trip was 10 hours in length, beginning to end, and we were exhausted by the time we got back to Radium Hot Springs.

Book this tour if you're heading out in July to early August. I'm told that the river flows much faster for a total trip time that's 2 - 2.5 hours shorter!

Otherwise, if you're not sure about spending a full day on this adventure, inquire about the extended half day tour.

Note the extended half day tour does not operate daily, so inquire directly with the company with lots of advance notice if you want to choose this option. You may have to be flexible with your choice of date as well.

The incredible backcountry Pedley Falls on the Kootenay River

What to Expect during your Rafting Adventure

As already mentioned in previous paragraphs, you'll receive a second breakfast and a lunch break on the full day tour. The half day tour includes the breakfast/snack break and you should be back in Radium for a late lunch.

The extended half day tour includes lunch because you join the group beside the river at noon.

What happens to my personal gear on the river?

Bring a backpack or two with your personal family gear for the day (which will include items you want on the bus.) When you arrive at the river, your backpack(s) will be placed in a large bin, stored on the bus, and made available to you again when you board the bus at the end of your trip.

Items that should go in your backpack (not on the river) include your keys, phone, wallet, anything you don't want to lose in the river, snacks for the ride home, towels, water bottles for the ride home, books or entertainment items for the kids, and then anything you needed on the way to the river such as your coffee mug.

What do I do if I have to go to the bathroom?

Use the bathrooms before you get on the bus!! Then, take the opportunity to go to the bathroom again before getting into your raft. There is an outhouse beside the boat launch.

After that, your opportunities include the morning breakfast break, the lunch break, and the final take out spot where there are outhouses situated at each location.

Children should be able to go at least an hour without bathroom facilities available while in the boats. In an emergency I'm sure the guides could pull over to the side of the river, but it wouldn't be ideal.

If you have a small bladder, be careful about how much liquid you consume before you get on the river or during each break!

Kootenay River Runners Transportation for the day

How to Dress for Your Rafting Day

When you reach the river, you'll be provided with a splash suit (rain pants and a rain jacket) on cooler weather days - Personally I'd say to never refuse these items (especially for the full day tour!) Even on a hot day, you can get pretty chilled when you're wet for hours.

Small children (typically those 8 & under depending on size) are also provided wetsuits.

The company also provides neoprene river booties to keep your feet warm.

The company suggests you come dressed according to the weather.

"On hot days we recommend wearing a t-shirt or tank and shorts; quick-dry athletic material is best. Avoid heavy cotton, such as denim. Children wearing wetsuits are typically most comfortable in a swimsuit. On cooler days we still recommend shorts (worn under our splash pants) and a T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt. A fleece jacket is also great to keep you warm under the splash jacket."

I'd also add: imagine getting freezing cold buckets of water thrown at you all day. Dress for that!

You'll be wet! Dress in comfortable quick drying clothing

Other personal suggestions:

Bring your own rain jacket if you have a favourite that fits you well. I found my splash suit jacket to be a little large for me.
For youth, you may want to bring their own rain pants and rain coats because the splash gear is adult sized. Older youth will fit the jackets but not the pants.

Of course if you don't have high quality rain gear for your family, you'll definitely appreciate the clothing provided by the tour company.
Everybody is different, but if you're one of those "always cold" people, you'll want to bring extra layers for sure. This could include a pair of light gloves, a warm fleece sweater to wear under your rain jacket, or even a pair of wool socks for extra warmth inside the booties.
You’ll be wearing a helmet all day but you can wear a hat underneath. I recommend a hat with a good brim or else sunglasses. Wear a bandana if you want something else under the helmet for comfort or warmth.

Splash suits and all gear are provided

What to Bring for your Rafting Adventure

Helmets and PFDs are provided for your tour. Both must be worn the entire time you are on the river.

With your tour you also get free photos! Leave your personal camera behind. Each guide is equipped with a waterproof camera and they take photos during the entire tour. They take individual photos of each family group as well as action photos during the trip.

Other items I recommend bringing to make your day more comfortable:

Bring coffee in a travel mug for the morning bus ride. You could also bring breakfast items to eat on the bus if you suspect it'll be a struggle to get your family to the office in time. (9am is early when you're tent camping.)
There is an AM snack break and a lunch break. If you want extra water to drink, bring bottles that can be attached to the centre rope in the boat.
Bring any extra snacks/drinks that your children would enjoy at the snack/lunch breaks. Hot water is provided along with coffee and hot chocolate. If you don't drink either, consider bringing packets of apple cider, tea, or decaf. coffee.

If you require extra items to come along for the breaks, give them to your guide and he/she will put them in the raft's dry bag. - I should stress "need" though because honestly, there was plenty of food at each break. You won't go hungry. I just know some kids are "particular" about their snacks. And I have a child who doesn't drink hot chocolate.
Bring snacks for the bus rides. We didn't get back to town until almost 7:00pm and were definitely getting hungry. You may want to bring lunch items as well if you're joining on an extended half day tour because you'll be on the river for an hour before the riverside lunch break.

And if you're just doing a morning half day tour, you'll likely want snacks to eat on your way back to town because lunch will definitely be late!
Bring dry clothing for the bus ride back home. It took us an hour to get back from Radium and it was uncomfortable riding back wet.

There are no change rooms at the end of the river so I also recommend bringing a large towel or two to help with removing at least one or two wet items.
Bring books or entertainment for the bus ride to/from the river. Kids will likely get bored on the hour-long ride each way.
Bring a change of clothes in your vehicle if you want to eat out after the full day or extended half day tour. It’s a long day. You won’t want to cook!!

And don't forget to bring your sense of adventure and fun!

Other Suggestions for Enjoying your Rafting Day

Thrill seekers will want to sit at the front of the boat. If you'd call yourself more "timid," you don't want to get as wet, or you're nervous in white water, sit in the middle or near the back. People in front get the most wet!
Your bags will not go on the boat so whatever you think you’ll need has to be on you in the boat. Either wear it, or give it to your guide to put in the raft dry bag.
If you have kids that suffer from a short attention span, consider a half day morning tour or request a high energy guide. We had an extremely energetic guide and that was the only reason my 13-year old survived our long 10 hour day.

Alternately the extended half day tour could be a good option for families with school aged children.
Prepare sensitive children in advance that sometimes there are intentional water fights between boats. Guides will often use this as a form of entertainment during calm stretches of water in the afternoon portion of the tour. If this will be a problem for your child, warn your guide in advance or choose an AM half day tour which is much calmer.
Pack swim suits for the hot springs and plan a dinner + soak after your tour.
Don't forget to tip your guides at the end of the day. It's easiest to bring cash for this (which you'd leave locked in your vehicle or in your bag that's stored on the bus all day.)
You can purchase souvenirs at the beginning or end of your tour if you want. The office accepts credit cards for this.

Pedley Falls on the Kootenay River

More Information...

Read more about tours provided by Kootenay River Runners on their website where you'll find information on pricing, how to book your tour, and answers to any other questions you might have.

And if you're camping or staying near Fairmont Hot Springs, the resort can book rafting tours for you. Visit the Fairmont hot Springs Resort website for more information.

Wilderness Rafting Tour on the Kootenay River

Only an aerial photo can truly capture how incredible Pedley Falls are!