Glacier fed. Blue green. Tumbling out of the Rockies on its 781 km journey to the Columbia River at Castlegar. Steep banked and strewn with rapids. Few things in life are the cliché of “world class.” The Kootenay River deserves the moniker – famous for its bull trout fishing (June to November), and rafting/kayaking/river boating.

A popular local activity is to drop into the Kootenay at the 9K bridge on the Kootenay Service Road for a 1.5 hour raft or kayak adventure into Canal Flats.

Other river species: cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, rainbow trout.

River Raft with Kootenay River Runners

“My wife and I love to come to Canal Flats for jet boating on the Kootenay River. We have been boating in many parts of North America and have found a true gem in the Kootenay. Sparkling, blue-green glacial water, stunning scenery and a wonderful base of operations in town. You folks have a very special place that feels like home. We will see you again – and again.”

Tim and Trudy Arntzen
Kennewick, Washington