Canyoning in the Canadian Rockies
If you'd like to support our efforts to publish canyon beta, or send support for continuing to bolt new canyons, you can donate through either PayPal or Interac e-Transfer to shimonek@gmail.com. Unlike climbing routes, TABVAR does not reimburse the cost of bolting hardware for canyoning, so any small amount helps. Thank you kindly. - Scott Shimonek
Note: If someone is willing to share new canyon beta with us, but doesn't want us to post it. We will honor that request.
Jasper National Park
Ogre Canyon
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3III)
▶YouTube 2023-05-14 Beta in video description
Morro Canyon
▶YouTube 2023-05-14 Beta in video description
Garonne Canyon
There are anchors, but beta is not yet available.
Palisades Canyon
▶YouTube 2023-08-06 Beta in video description
Two Valley (aka BS) Canyon
Rating: 7⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 II (v3a3II)
▶YouTube 2023-10-08 Beta in video description
Pleckaitis Canyon
Rating: 5⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3II)
▶YouTube 2023-10-08 Beta in video description
Kerkeslin Canyon
There are anchors, but beta is not yet available.
David Thompson Country
Peskett Canyon, South Fork
Rating: 8.5⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3IV)
▶YouTube 2024-07-20 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2022-07-01 Info in video description
Peskett Canyon, North Fork
Rating: 5⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3II)
▶YouTube 2022-07-03 Beta in video description
Kitty Hawk Canyon
White Goat Falls
There are anchors, but beta is not yet available.
Yoho National Park
Hamilton Canyon & Falls
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3III)
▶YouTube 2024-08-03 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-07-16 Beta in video description
Banff National Park
Noseeum Creek
There are anchors, but beta is not yet available.
Silverton Falls
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3II)
▶YouTube 2023-08-26 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2021-10-03 Beta in video description
Mother's Day Canyon
▶YouTube 2023-08-27 Beta in video description
Urs Hole
North Ghost
Beowulf Canyon
Rating: 9⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3IV)
▶YouTube 2024-07-13 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-07-22 Beta in video description
This House of Sky Canyon
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 IV (v3a3IV)
▶YouTube 2023-07-23 Beta in video description
Valley of the Birds (Full Canyon)
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 IV (v3a3IV)
▶YouTube 2024-07-06 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-06-03 Beta in video description
Trailhead f Post GPX Full GPX Lower
Wully Canyon
Rating: 7⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 III (v3a3III)
▶YouTube 2024-07-07 Beta in video description
North Ghost 4x4 Parking (Junction Marker 39)
Kananaskis
McGillivray Canyon
▶YouTube 2022-06-18 Beta in video description
Heart Creek Canyon
▶YouTube 2022-06-26 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2021-08-21 Beta in video description
Prairie Dog Canyon
Brendan Clark's Ropewiki Entre
Nihahi Canyon
▶YouTube 2021-06-21 Beta in video description
Junction Lake Valley
Rating: 7⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 III (v3a3III)
▶YouTube 2023-06-10 Beta in video description
Waterfall Valley (Junction Falls)
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 III (v3a3III)
▶YouTube 2024-06-09 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-07-01 Beta in video description
Junction Creek
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 IV (v3a3IV)
▶YouTube 2024-06-25 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-06-28 Beta in video description
Trailhead f Post PDF GPX Full GPX R4
Waterton National Park
Red Rock Canyon
▶YouTube 2021-09-11 Beta in video description
Northern Idaho
Copper Creek Falls
▶YouTube 2023-09-01 Beta in video description
Snow Creek Falls
▶YouTube 2023-09-02 Beta in video description
Johnson Creek
▶YouTube 2023-09-02 Beta in video description
Conceal 1
There's a short but worthwhile canyoning route east of Bonners Ferry near the Montana border. I was asked not to reveal the name and exact location on social media. But if you're in the area and want to check it out, contact me and I'll point you in the right direction.
Northwestern Montana
Conceal 2
There's a short but worthwhile canyoning route west of Troy near the Idaho border. I was asked not to reveal the name and exact location on social media. But if you're in the area and want to check it out, contact me and I'll point you in the right direction.
Glacier Fed Canyons
Some of the most impressive canyons in the Canadian Rockies are fed by glaciers. This makes the opportunity to explore them very limited. Owen Creek and the two Saskatchewan Canyons are a few obvious ones that come to mind. Owen Creek seems like it would be possible by October or November before the drops ice up. The Saskatchewan Canyon below the big bend looks even more incredible. Would it be doable in November or December? The canyon has collapsed in places making long stretches that run underground. I know people have gone through the final section without issue, but it sure would be interesting to find out if running the entire canyon is even possible. Hopefully the secrecy surrounding our canyons will eventually diminish and people will start collaborating to see what's possible.
Tubing Marble Canyon in Fall
Rating: 7⭐ Difficulty: (v4a4II)
▶YouTube 2021-10-24 Beta in video description
Marble Canyon in Winter
▶YouTube 2022-02-12
Saskatchewan Canyon
Video posts likely taken from the lower sections
Instagram Post 2023-11 ▶YouTube 2021-03-13
Canyon Quality Ratings
After receiving numerous requests to list our best canyons, we decided to post star ratings (up to 10⭐) to help visitors plan their trip. These ratings are weighted towards interesting water features such as slides, jumps, and fun aquatic rappels. Beautiful water worn canyon features and deep canyon walls will rate higher as well. These ratings only apply to the actual canyoning routes. The length and difficulty of the approach or exit was not considered. Don't let a lower star rating dissuade you. Every canyon on this list is worth doing at least once.
Peskett Canyon, South Fork 8.5⭐
Ogre Canyon 8⭐
Valley of the Birds (Full Canyon) 8⭐
Waterfall Valley (Junction Falls) 8⭐
Marble Canyon in Fall (Tubing) 7⭐
Wully Canyon 7⭐
Morro Canyon 6⭐
Red Rock Canyon 4.5⭐
Canyon Difficulty Ratings
Rating the easier canyons is straightforward using the ACA rating system. But the French Grading System is preferable for more complex aquatic canyons. This should be seen as a preliminary attempt. These ratings could change with input from the canyoning community. Some routes that have initially been rated a v4 could change to a v5.