Why Raft with Hydra

The Kicking Horse is a legendary river with big rapids and plenty of thrills.

We know you have options about who to raft with, but not all companies are alike.

At Hydra River Guides our friendly and experienced team knows you want a safe and memorable adventure. We pride ourselves on putting safety and experience first, implementing the best equipment and boasting an exclusive River Base for our rafters. Rafting is our passion and for over 30 years, it’s been our pleasure to share the wildnerness with adventurers. Hydra promises an unforgettable experience, full of laughs, splashes, and incredible scenery. Join us in conquering the Kicking Horse, we guarantee you won’t regret it! Not only do we have an amazing River Base faciltiy but we have a booking office in Banff. So if you prefer to chat to us in person about your rafting trip, we are here to help. Real people, real rafters.

Our River Base

Hydra River Guides has 6 acres of land located on the banks of the Kicking Horse River.

The private land and stunning views make for a pretty amazing River Base. Our site is fully equipped with flushing toilets, change rooms, picnic area and even beach volleyball courts!. Our secure parking lot allows rafters to leave their personal belongings and vehicles with peace of mind. The sweeping river views are the perfect backdrop for guests getting ready to hot the rapids. The River Base is only a short drive from Banff, Lake Louise and Golden. The drive is filled with stunning views and passes many tourist points of interest along the way, including the famous Lake Louise & Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake and Takkaw Falls. It’s a great day out!

GREAT LOCATION

Our river base is located 25 kms east of Golden BC, making us the closest rafting operator to Banff and right at the top of the river!

For those driving west from Calgary or Banff, we save you the hassle of driving right into Golden, only to be shuttled elsewhere for your trip. We would rather you spend your day on the river than in a bus! For those driving east, we are a convenient stop on the way! Our location allows us to access the river directly from our river base. That means that once you are kitted out with gear, we’re off!

Our Trips

Hydra River Guides rafts every section of the Kicking Horse River. Whether you are looking for a gentle family trip or a wild ride with the most rapids, we have a trip to suit your needs!

Transportation

We often get asked, how do we get back to our car? Hydra River Guides offers a shuttle from the river take out point back to the river base (where you start your trip). There is no transport available from Banff or Lake Louise to the rafting base. Guest must drive themselves to the meet point.

Our Gear

We know you want gear that gets replaced and upgraded, which is why we offer the highest quality rafting gear. From our Spray Jackets, to Neoprene wetsuits, Boots, fleeces and helmets, we’ve put a lot of thought into your comfort.

Our Safety Standards

Safety is our priority and Hydra River Guides prides itself on their safety record and standards. Each guide is Government Certified and carries Wilderness First Aid and Swift water Rescue Certificates. We have on-going in-house training and safety meetings throughout the season to constantly maintain and improve our skills. Our team consists of guides who possess experience from years of rafting around the world.

Our Team

Hydra River Guides is a family owned company. Our team is passionate and experienced. Our people, from our guides, photographer, cooks, land manager, reservation staff, head guide and owner, are there to make sure you have an amazing rafting experience; from start to finish. Meet the Hydra team!