River Rafting in North BC: The North British Columbia region is often referred to as the "Serengeti of the North" because of the valley plains of the east butting up against the mountains of the west. A landscape creating a mountainous region with many alpine lakes feeding tumbling rivers which drop into massive valleys creating river rafting and kayaking experiences.

The communities of the north, many of which live on the shores of a major BC river, vary in what they can offer rafters. Some communities provide river rafting tours with guides while most northern BC communities do not have rafting companies operating in the community but do have a powerful raging river nearby.

Experienced river kayakers and rafters with their own equipment will enjoy the selection of rivers in the province. All self guided rafting adventures should be well planned and researched as BC rivers are very unpredictable. No BC river should be attempted without the proper skills and equipment. People drown every year in our rivers because of stupidity, do not be one of them.

River Rafting tours operating in the B.C. area are well equipped with the routes and challenges found on each river. Most rafting companies provide certified guides who are trained in swift water rescue and wilderness first aid. Many rafting tours provide a selection of tours ranging from 'Class 1' (easiest rivers) to Class 4 routes (very difficult rivers).

Like all wildlife tours and adventures, please ensure your river rafting company of choice follows ethical and environmental practices. River rafting is exciting because of the challenge of navigating rapids and currents but many forget it can also be a wildlife viewing adventure also because it also provides an excellent opportunity to view wildlife like moose, bears and mountain goats.

River Rafting adventure tours fall into two distinct groups - the high-end, most expensive remote fly-in rafting tours and the easy access drive in rafting tours. Drive in rafting adventures cater to the general public more as they tend to be more affordable and shorter. Some of the more popular local rivers explored by rafters and self guided enthusiasts include the mighty Babine, Fraser, Thompson, Peace, Bulkley and Skeena Rivers.

One of the favorite remote fly in river destinations in Northern BC is the Turnagain River because it provides untouched wilderness, some historical content, a strong feeling of pioneering and is designated as a Canadian Heritage River.