Get into Whitewater: Gentle Rafting Experiences for Everyone

While we all love a little thrill, there are times when we want our vacation experience to involve a little less intensity and more chill. If you have been thinking about trying whitewater rafting but don’t want to get tossed into the drink at every turn of the river, we’ve compiled this list of gentle, low-adrenalin experiences just for you.

This summer, don’t let anything stop you from getting out on the water. 

Gentle Whitewater Rafting

What is a ‘gentle’ raft trip? It’s one that’s suitable for all skill levels, all abilities, and most ages. This is for you if you want to help paddle the raft but don’t want to worry about large rapids. As with all boating experiences, there’s no guarantees you won’t capsize, but these trips are designed to keep you in the boat.

Wilderness Tours 

Book the Family Rafting Day Trip at Wilderness Tours to experience some tame (class 2 and 3) rapids, then add on an overnight stay and their Gentle Resort Package to spend some down time with resort relaxation. They also offer an adults only low intensity middle channel experience that is the perfect introduction to a successful whitewater and rafting experience on the Ottawa River. 

OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River

OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River offers a one-day, two-day, or three-day Soft Adventure Rafting experiences that takes you through eight kilometres of gentle whitewater and is an invitation to take some time floating in the water, or generally enjoying the beauty of whitewater on the mighty Ottawa River. At the end of the day you can dine on the pontoon boat as you travel back to base, and enjoy the resort's facilities under the setting sun.

Madawaska Kanu Centre (MKC)

The Madawaska River is the vehicle for this gentle, Family Rafting trip through MKC, the perfect introduction to whitewater rafting and whitewater in general. This experience is suitable for ages two and up, and if you fall in love with whitewater you can book a course right from MKC to learn more.

Paddler Co-Op

On the Madawaska River, Paddler Co-Op offers entry level whitewater experiences, including a One Day Whitewater Packrafting adventure. This is a great introduction to help you fall in love with whitewater! Paddler Co-op also offers fully accessible whitewater experiences for the disabled, and are fully inclusive. Book your experience there and you will be in good hands.

Lazy River Tubing

Not exactly rafting, but tubing is a great, gentle way to experience the beauty of a river’s current taking you downstream, and cool off on a hot day. 

Wilderness Tours

The section of the Ottawa River ideal for tubing is appropriately called Heaven’s Half Mile, a three-kilometre run that is perfect not only for tubing, but also for boogie boarding and Stand Up Paddleboarding. Book this 60-to-90-minute float experience and upgrade to a full resort day to amp up the relaxation factor.

Haliburton Highlands DIY

The Gull River is perfect for floating on, and Haliburton Highlands has compiled a list of great spots for you to create your own lazy river experience. They've done all the hard work for you, including where to access the river and where to get out (and park your car). 

O’Kenny Craft Spirits

Despite the location, there is no alcohol involved in this experience! Float down the Muskrat River from O’Kenny’s Craft Spirits in Pembroke, and then get picked up at the bottom by a shuttle who will take you back to the top of the run. This lazy river tubing experience takes between one-and-a-half hours and three hours, depending on the strength of the current and water level. Equipment is provided by O’Kenny’s (note PFDs are strongly encouraged; you can rent one from O’Kenny’s). Book this experience here.