Cool Destinations
Top Banff activities
Top Banff landmarks
Beyond Banff
Banff trip ideas
  • Tours by category
  • Tours by accessibility
  • Tours by feature
  • Top Banff landmark tours
  • Tours in nearby places
  • Explore Canada tours
  • Banff travel guides
  • Banff travel calendar
Rewards
Rewards
Wishlist
Login / Sign up
Bookings
Bookings
Cool Rewards My Rewards
$0.00
Cool Rewards My Rewards
$0.00
Wishlists
Wishlists
Profile
Help Center
Language
Log out
Start your search
Change your search
Place or activity
Select Dates

River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park

158 Reviews 4.95 out of 5 stars Based on 158 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 99% of reviewers
99% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Banff, Canada
Book online or call us
Chat now

from $71.90 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park Image 1
River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park Image 2
River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park Image 3
River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park Image 4
River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park Image 5

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.
Add to Wishlist
1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Experience the tranquility and views of a canoe trip on the Bow River. Your guide will educate and entertain with stories about your surroundings. The group paddling experience is open to first-time paddlers of all fitness levels. Choose from multiple daily start times to fit the tour into your vacation schedule

What's Included

  • Life jacket and paddle
  • Gratuities
See 1 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Corner of Bow Ave and
Wolf Street, Banff, AB T1L 1A8, Canada

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Get a different view of Banff National Park on a canoe tour along the scenic Bow River. Traveling by canoe lets you get out in nature and see the stunning landscape up close without the exertion of hiking. Plus, the big canoe enables your whole group to be together in one place rather than being split up into smaller canoes. This makes the River Explorer Tour ideal for families with small children and those who are looking to gain some knowledge about the history of the area and the significance of the waterways in Canada's first National Park.

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
  • Operated by a business

Frequently Asked Questions

(11)

Q: Are there any weight restrictions for kayaking?

A: The maximum weight capacity for kayaking is 340 lbs / 154 kg. Read more Nov 2021

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-370405P1

Traveler Photos

See more
See more

Reviews

4.95
158 reviews

Average 4.95 out of 5 stars based on 158 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
152
4 stars
5
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 23 (0) days in advance.
Banff Tours
Attractions
Guides
Calendar
View more

Similar Tours & Activities

Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and Banff National Park
5.0 (1)

Moraine Lake, Lake Louise and Banff National Park

Your adventure at your own pace as a knowledgeable guide shares insights about Canada’s first national park. This 8 to 10-hour experience includes hassle-free pickup...

9 to 10 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
9 to 10 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
9 to 10 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$873.68
Banff National Park- Double Kayak Experience
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
5.0 (25)

Banff National Park- Double Kayak Experience

Join us on a group kayak paddle to explore the Bow River. Check out the local wildlife, capture that perfect picture in front of Mount...

2 hours • Free Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
5.0 (25)
from
$129.79

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Banff Gondola Ride Admission
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.8 (2,754)

Banff Gondola Ride Admission

Soar up Sulphur Mountain for a bird's-eye view of Banff National Park and six mountain ranges. Walk the boardwalk, explore the interpretive building, dine at...

1 to 4 hours
1 to 4 hours
1 to 4 hours
4.8 (2,754)
$71.90
$70.90
Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Tour from Calgary/Canmore/Banff
4.9 (3,560)

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Banff Tour from Calgary/Canmore/Banff

Best of the Best 2026 — Tripadvisor | #1 Tour in Canada | Top 1% Worldwide This is the highest recognition Tripadvisor gives, awarded to...

8 to 10 hours • Free Cancellation
8 to 10 hours • Free Cancellation
8 to 10 hours • Free Cancellation
4.9 (3,560)
from
$76.22
Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure
4.8 (809)

Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Award-Winning Small Group Adventure

Explore with Banff's top-rated tour operator down backroads teeming with wildlife, plus our selection of Banff’s best viewpoints and secret spots. Along the journey, you’ll...

3 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
3 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
3 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
4.8 (809)
from
$107.63
Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.8 (1,831)

Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk

Visit the Athabasca Glacier on a massive ice explorer on this 3-hour excursion. Walk along the frozen sheet of ice and fill your water bottle with...

3 hours
3 hours
3 hours
4.8 (1,831)
from
$100.18

Frequently Asked Questions (11)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.

Filter by:

Q: Are there any weight restrictions for kayaking?
A:

The maximum weight capacity for kayaking is 340 lbs / 154 kg.

Nov 2021
Q: Do I need kayaking experience or will you teach me?
A:

No experience is necessary! Beginners are welcome on all of our kayak tours. Most of our guests have never been in a sea kayak before. Anyone in average physical condition may join a kayak tour. If you can hike or bike, you can paddle our sea kayaks. You do not need any swimming skills either.

The only prerequisite is a healthy spirit of curiosity and adventure.

Regardless of age or skill level you will find that our expeditions offer enough flexibility to make your experience with us safe and rewarding. We will show you proper sea kayaking technique and water safety before leaving the beach. And your expert guides will be with you throughout the adventure to give you pointers and improve your skills.

Sep 2022
Q: Is kayaking a safe activity?
A:

Your safety is Cool Destinations’s number one concern. In general, sea kayaking is safer than most other outdoor pursuits, even bicycling.

Jan 2023
Q: Will I get seasick on River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park?
A:

If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.

Feb 2023
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (MDT).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Life jacket and paddle.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 2. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for River Explorer | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

Activity name

  • Life jacket and paddle
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
  • Operated by a business

Protecting you

Activity name

For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. The Banff Canoe Club

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Lowest Price Guarantee

Activity name

We guarantee the lowest price on all the tours available to book on our site. We'll refund the difference if you find the exact tour cheaper online until 48 hours before your tour starts.

We Make It Easy!

Gather your information

Locate your Cool Destinations Booking Number and the proof of the lower price you found.

Send it to us

Email priceguarantee@mybookings.zendesk.com with the documents, your name, and your home address.

We'll review

We'll review your materials and get in touch as soon as possible.

Receive your refund

If everything checks out, we'll refund you the price difference.

Refund Terms & Conditions

The following conditions apply to all lowest price guarantee refund requests:

  • The lowest price guarantee is available to any customer who makes a qualifying purchase through our website. The qualifying purchase must be a minimum of US$20 (or equivalent).
  • The lowest price guarantee covers retail and prepaid rates available to the general public. This does not include discounts or promotions you may receive (or be eligible for) from third-party sites or organizations such as AAA or AARP or special offers made as part of a membership program, corporate discount, daily deal, group, or rewards program.
  • Cool Destinations promotions cannot be combined with the lowest price guarantee.
  • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on Cool Destinations and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
  • The lowest price guarantee does not apply where a lower overall price is found by breaking down the purchased tour into one or more parts sold separately.
  • Cool Destinations reserves the right to verify the lower price details. Examples of acceptable forms of verification include a web screenshot or a web address.
  • All refund decisions will be made at the sole discretion of Cool Destinations.
Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (MDT).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Cool Support

Ask us anything!

Activity name

Cool Robot

Choose an option

Activity name

or

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.