Canyoning in the Canadian Rockies
If you'd like to support our efforts to bolt canyons, develop approach routes, and publish beta, 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 aquatic canyoning, so any amount helps. Thank you kindly. - Scott Shimonek & Bonnie Wu
Donors to date: Jonathan Peregoodoff, Gordon Wang, Chelsea Pasutto, Deryn Blakley, Lisa Bélanger
Jasper National Park
Ogre Canyon
Rating: 9⭐ 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: 8⭐ 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: 12⭐ 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
Elliot Left Hand
Bolted for canyoning, but beta is not yet available.
Kitty Hawk Canyon
Cline River Canyon (Tubing)
▶YouTube 2025-08-31 Beta in video description
Coral Creek Canyon
▶YouTube 2025-08-31 Drone Flyover Scouting
White Goat Falls
There are anchors, but beta is not yet available.
Yoho National Park
Hamilton Falls
Rating: 9⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3III)
▶YouTube 2024-08-03 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-07-16 Beta in video description
Banff National Park
Silverton Falls
Rating: 9⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3II)
▶YouTube 2025-08-30 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-08-26 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2021-10-03 Beta in video description
Rose Canyon
I've heard the developers plan to post beta.
So I'll wait a bit before posting beta myself.
Mother's Day Canyon
▶YouTube 2023-08-27 Beta in video description
Urs Hole
▶YouTube 2025-08-17 Beta in video description
The Ghost
Waiparous Creek
Rating: 10⭐ Difficulty: (v3a4IV)
▶YouTube 2025-08-23 Beta in video description
Castle Rock Canyon
Rating: 12⭐ Difficulty: (v3a4IV)
▶YouTube 2025-08-24 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2025-08-09 Beta in video description
Claw Creek
▶YouTube 2025-06-15 Drone Flyover Scouting
Chilkoot Passage
▶YouTube 2025-06-15 Drone Flyover Scouting
Fang & Fist
▶YouTube 2025-06-15 Drone Flyover Scouting
Beowulf
Rating: 12⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3IV)
▶YouTube 2024-07-13 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-07-22 Beta in video description
Valley of the Sun
Rating: 9⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3III)
▶YouTube 2025-05-10 Beta in video description
Devil's Head Valley
Rating: 11⭐ Difficulty: (v3a3IV)
▶YouTube 2025-06-29 Beta in video description
Valley of the Birds (Full Canyon)
Rating: 10⭐ 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
End of the Road
▶YouTube 2025-06-15 Drone Flyover Scouting
Going to the Sun Highway
Rating: 12⭐ Difficulty: (v3a4IV)
▶YouTube 2025-06-30 Beta in video description
French Technique
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 III (v3a3III)
▶YouTube 2025-07-30 Beta in video description
This House of Sky
Rating: 10⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 III (v3a3III)
▶YouTube 2025-07-31 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-07-23 Beta in video description
Wully Canyon
Rating: 7⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 III (v3a3III)
▶YouTube 2025-08-10 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2024-07-07 Beta in video description
Constellation Valley
Rating: 11⭐ Difficulty: Bring Drill & Bolts
▶YouTube 2025-07-12 Beta in video description
Aquarius
Rating: 8⭐ Difficulty: (v4a3IV)
▶YouTube 2025-05-25 Beta in video description
Canyons of the Ghost (High-Res JPEG Image)
Canyons of the Ghost (High-Res PDF Image)
Waiparous Parking (Junction Marker 129)
North Ghost 4x4 Parking (Junction Marker 39)
Devil's Gap 4x4 Parking (Junction Marker 27)
Ghost 2wd Normal Clearance Parking (Big Hill)
Kananaskis
McGillivray Canyon
▶YouTube 2022-06-18 Beta in video description
Arcs Canyon
▶YouTube 2024-10-20 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
▶YouTube 2024-06-01 Beta in video description
Brendan Clark's Ropewiki Entre PDF
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: 9⭐ Difficulty: 3C1 III (v3a3III)
▶YouTube 2024-06-09 Beta in video description
▶YouTube 2023-07-01 Beta in video description
Junction Creek
Rating: 9⭐ 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
Undisclosed
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. 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
Undisclosed
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. 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.
Marble Canyon in Fall (Tubing)
Rating: 7⭐ Difficulty: (v4a4II)
▶YouTube 2021-10-24 Beta in video description
Marble Canyon in Winter
▶YouTube 2022-02-12
Noseeum Creek, South Fork
There are anchors, but beta is not yet available.
Saskatchewan Canyon
Video posts likely taken from the lower sections
Instagram Post 2023-11 ▶YouTube 2021-03-13
Beauty Creek
▶YouTube 2023-10-07 Scouting
Woolley Creek
f Post 2024-10-13 Scouting
Canyon Quality Ratings
After receiving numerous requests to list our best canyons, we decided to post star ratings (up to 12⭐) 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 during ideal flow conditions. The length and difficulty of the approach or exit was not factored. Don't let a lower star rating dissuade you. Most canyons on this list are worth doing at least once.
Beowulf 12⭐
Peskett Canyon, South Fork 12⭐
Urs Hole 11⭐
Valley of the Birds (Full Canyon) 10⭐
Waiparous Creek 10⭐
Ogre Canyon 9⭐
Waterfall Valley (Junction Falls) 9⭐
Aquarius 8⭐
Cline River Canyon (Tubing) 7⭐
Marble Canyon in Fall (Tubing) 7⭐
Wully Canyon 7⭐
Morro Canyon 6⭐
Arcs Canyon 4⭐
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.