Where to Whitewater Kayak in Radium Hot Springs

Kootenay River - This is a 3 - 5day section that can be split into smaller more interesting pieces. Low water is when this run is suitable for overnight trips as there are easy ways to navigate all rapids and keep your gear dry! There is take out access at km 19 (horseshoe rapids recreation site) making the run 2-3hrs long. There is also take out access at km 35 on Kootenay River Rd making this run 4-7hrs long depending on water levels and pit stops.

Horsethief Creek - This is run offers continuous medium volume boulder bed style rapids with spectactular scenery. This class 3-4 run starts off with a few kilometres of mellow class 2 - 2+ before leading into the portage rapid (Portage river right). There are two parts to the portage rapid, the waterfall (Class 5+) and the slide (Class 5), most groups will portage both rapids. From there run consists of mainly class 3-3+ with a short class 4 section. Expect continuous sweep corners, sharp rocks and holes/pour overs; good river reading and leading skills is highly recommended. Towards the end of the run, the river splits for a couple hundred meters, both channels are known to collect wood from time to time.

Vermillion River - This is a great low volume river in an excellent spot and is certainly worth a trip, if not a stop on the way to another western slope river. The crux of the paddle is the first 500 metres below Numa Falls. Numa Falls has been run but is pretty staunch! At the put in the canyon is tight and the water pushes over a number of ledges before spitting out in a wider, tree lined, valley. The largest feature is a river wide v shaped ledge about 400 metres from the put in, this might go at III during high flows, probably II+ at lower flows. There isn’t any great way to scope the canyon section so if there is a lot of wood, or your tentative to run the canyon section I probably would try and find an alternative entrance (probably about 500m further down the access trail). After the canyon section, the river widens out and meanders through a scenic valley, occasionally entering areas of wide gravel flats. These sections are prone to collect wood, so keep an eye open. There are a couple of small, partial river wide, ledges and some bigger waves in these sections however most things could be avoided if necessary. After Floe creek enters the Vermilion, the river tightens up enters a smaller canyon again. In this section there may be some ledges during low water, however at higher flows big waves are the only challenge. Apparently a lower levels there may be some substantial undercut ledges so be aware. At the end of the canyon is the take out bridge.