River Rafting
Thompson-Shuswap, British Columbia, Canada

River Rafting... The Thompson Shuswap is one of the top regions in the province for high octane river rafting. The landscape is ideal for river adventures with towering mountains and rolling hills hiding valleys of powerful rivers with whitewater currents. Some of British Columbia's biggest and most powerful rivers pass through the Thompson Shuswap region on their way to the ocean.

The three biggest and most celebrated rafting rivers in the Thompson Shuswap region are the Adams, Thompson and Clearwater Rivers. The Adams River is located in the Shuswap Lake Region. The Thompson River runs through Kamloops and Lytton. And the Clearwater River which runs through BC's fourth largest park - Wells Gray Park.

Adams River rafting tours include a chance to experience some of the history of the First Nation people. The river was once a popular fishing and hunting ground for the First Nations and, today, there are still ancient pictographs and evidence of pit houses on the route. The Adams River also runs through Haig Brown Provincial Park and is home to the world's largest sockeye salmon run.

The Thompson River gains all its momentum in the Rocky Mountains near the BC and Alberta border. The 489 kilometre Thompson River travels south and west into the interior and joins the Fraser River in the community of Lytton. Expect to see allot of action on the water from Kamloops to Lytton, as the river is known for its revolving rapids, back eddies, haystacks and whirlpools.

Rafting the Cleawater River is, maybe, the most wild and scenic of all tours because it runs through British Columbia's fourth largest provincial wilderness park - Wells Gray Park. This river rafting route includes vast forests, wildlife, rock cliffs and lots of whitewater.

Many of the main rafting routes in the Thompson-Shuswap region are rated in difficulty by water flow by using an international grade and class rating system. It is this rating system that allows rafters to know how difficult the river is. Rafting companies are the most familiar and the best way to enjoy the rivers. The river guides are certified in water safety and rescue and know the rivers best. .

Rafting tours explore the rivers on large rubber rafts. Some tour groups offer an alternative ride on an aluminum dory. Many of the rafting tour operators provide half day and multi day river excursions. Multi-day trips usually include meals and accommodations. And by accommodations it usually means a sleeping bag, tent and a campfire.