Image of Shireen and Scott looking to the left while canoeing Red Deer River with river in back and both sat on inflatable boat in Alberta Canada

How To Go Red Deer River Canoeing and Floating The River: Red Deer River Adventures!

Being in Central Alberta, Red Deer doesn’t have the coastline for fun ocean activities but it does have a beautiful, 724 km river that runs right through the city and with that, has its own fun river activities including floating and canoeing!

Read on to learn what is floating, why it’s one of the best activities in Red Deer in Summer, the best floating river rafts to get and how to take a Red Deer river canoe trip.

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Float To…

What is Floating?

Image of Shireen and Scott paddling either side of the inflatable boat on Red Deer river floating in AB Canada
Image of boat and paddle on bank of river with Red Deer river and trees behind in AB

‘Floating’ does what it says on the tin. It is the act of sitting on a vessel such as a kayak, canoe, boat or raft and floating down a lazy river. It is a very enjoyable, relaxing and fun thing to do. Now and again you need to row/paddle to stay on course, avoid trees/bank and get a bit more oomph to go faster. 

The hardest part is getting to the side and stopping at the right spot to finish you floating day.

Canoeing the Red Deer river is an excellent place to start this new hobby. It was my first place and I can’t wait to do it again.

Red Deer River Essential Info & Floating the River Tips

You must have what’s called a ‘float plan’ and it covers the basic things, the most important being safety.

  • There are no facilities or life guards on the route
  • The current can change at any time
  • Always check the Red Deer river float times
  • I’d suggest floating down the Red Deer river with someone who knows where / what they’re doing
  • Or scope out your get-on and get-off spots so you know your exact route!
  • Share your float plan with someone who is not floating
  • Wear suncream!

What You Need to Float Down A River

Your Floating the River Checklist:

On the rivers Alberta have, you are required by law to have a lifejacket or PFD (Personal Flotation Device) on board for each person on a watercraft. This includes human-powered craft. A lifejacket is your best defence against cold-water shock.

Best Kayaks Boats Canoes and Rafts for Floating a River

Image of inflatable boat and paddle on the bank of the Red Deer river with river and trees in background. AB Canada

I even seen some people with inflatable Lilos usually reserved for all-inclusive, pool holidays but I recommend you get a safe raft / canoe that is going to see you through Red Deer river canoeing.

Float Red Deer River

My route: A-Soo-Wuh-Um picnic ground in Penhold to Innisfail Bridges!

Image of Penhold bridge on Red Deer River floating route
Image of setting up Penhold bridge on Red Deer River floating route
Image of Penhold bridge on Red Deer River floating route

We took multiple cars so we drove to our end goal to drop a vehicle off then drove to the starting point, inflated our rafts, ensured we had everything and started floating Red Deer river. When we finished, there was a vehicle waiting for us to take us back to the other cars.

What to Do on Red Deer River Float

Image of Shireen taking a selfie with three boats and canoe tied together on Red Deer River while floating
Image of hot dogs grilling on the homemade fire on bank of Red Deer River with boat and river in back and dog mid-jump
Image of fire set up on bank of Red Deer River with river and trees in background
Image of Shireen's left hand holding a hot dog up in front of the fire and river in Red Deer AB Canada
Image of Shireen's left hand holding up a can of Clamato Caesar while on the raft on Red Deer River with river and paddle in background

Relax in nature, enjoy scenic views, breathe fresh air, sunbathe, Red Deer river fishing, read, listen to music/podcast/books, eat, drink, spot wildlife on the banks and socialise.

Lots of people tie multiple vessels together so you can go with a whole group of people to float together. We didn’t tie our three boats together but we often floated together by simply holding on which we were told is called ‘docking’.

Halfway through we pulled over on a large bank, made a small fire and grilled some hot dogs and enjoyed a beer.

Accommodations in Red Deer

Booking.com

Other Places To Go Floating in Alberta

  • Discovery Canyon just for river tubing Red Deer in a man-made, small stream 
  • Canoeing on Bow River in Banff
  • North Saskatchewan River in Devon
  • South Saskatchewan River in Medicine Hat
  • McLeod River in Woodlands County
  • Milk River in Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
  • Pembina River in Entwistle
  • Elbow River in Bragg Creek
  • Old Man River in Lethbridge

My Canada Posts

How to Apply for the Canada Working Holiday Visa

How to Move to Canada As A Brit!

Visiting Bow Falls in Banff National Park

Hope my Red Deer river canoeing trip has helped you with yours.

We all float down here, Georgie

Save this for when you fancy rolling and rafting the Red Deer river!

Pin image of 'how to float the river Red Deer AB Canada' with image of boat on the river bank of Red Deer in centre in Alberta Canada

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