“Grand Rapids- Gateway to the Athabasca’s Scenic Wonders”
Grand Rapids, Athabasca River
Grand Rapids is one of Western Canada’s most unique, exciting, and exclusive wilderness adventure areas. A pristine untouched wilderness, incredible wildlife, amazing scenery, natural wonders, and a journey of more than 200 km down the historic Athabasca River is an amazing experience. The park takes its name from the Historic Grand Rapids, located 427.4 kilometers from the mouth of the Athabasca River.
The rapids are found on both sides of an island in the river. The river drops 30 meters over 1.6 km at the rapids. In 1989, the Athabasca River was designated a Canadian Heritage River for its importance to the fur trade and the construction of railways and roads opening up the Canadian West, as well as for its natural heritage.
This unique set of remote and awe-inspiring Class VI rapids is unlike one can find elsewhere on the planet. It’s a one-of-a-kind wilderness paradise, steeped in history, filled with natural wonders, and rugged beauty.
Grand Rapids Wildland Provincial Park in the Rapids Reach of the Athabasca River upstream from Ft. McMurray is a critical moose wintering range. Scenic, with “numerous rapids, rock outcrops, and slump blocks. An 1893 geological survey was published as a report of the expedition titled Report on the Doobaunt, Kazan, and Ferguson Rivers.
Grand Rapids Adventure
The Helicopter sightseeing tour
Run your own Jet Boat adventure
Remote wilderness paddling adventures
Paddling down to the Athabasca River is a great adventure activity. This unique, one-of-a-kind wilderness adventure allows a wilderness paddle of over 200 km to arrive and spend 2 nights at one of Alberta’s most remote and wilderness-oriented backcountry camps situated within the boundaries of the Grand Rapids Wildland Provincial Park.
