Guided Canyoning & Rappelling Tour in Kelowna
This exciting and adventurous guided canyoning tour in Kelowna is beginner friendly and so much fun! Don’t miss it on your trip to the Okanagan.
Canyoning in Kelowna is one of the best adrenaline-filled adventures in the Okanagan! You’ll rappel and zipline over waterfalls, slide down natural waterslides, and leap off cliffs.
Okanagan Canyoning offers two guided canyoning tours in Kelowna, beginner and intermediate. Canyoning tours aren’t widely offered in Canada and the nearest alternatives are on the coast or in the Rockies. If you want to try it, now’s the time!
I had an absolute blast and can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself! Canyoning is so much fun and is 100% beginner friendly. Whether you’re flying solo (like I did) or bringing a crew of friends, you’re in for an unforgettable time.
Canyoning is already a hit in the States, but it’s still catching on in Canada. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes a favourite here, too!
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What is Canyoning?
If you’re thinking “wow, sounds like fun Sam… but what the heck is canyoning?”
Imagine hiking, climbing, swimming, and rappelling down waterfalls—all in one epic adventure. That’s canyoning!
It’s basically nature’s ultimate obstacle course set in beautiful and rugged landscapes. Just picture yourself descending into rocky canyons, sliding down natural water slides, and jumping into deep pools. Sounds like a blast, right?
Simply put, canyoning is exploring hard-to-reach sections of canyons. And it’s awesome!
Canyoning is super popular in the United States, especially in the slot canyons of Colorado. You can also find it in Arizona, Utah, California, and the Pacific Northwest. However, it’s not as well-known in Canada which makes the fact that it’s available in the Okanagan even more special.
Why Canyoning in the Okanagan?
The Okanagan Valley is known for its wine, endless lakes, and hiking, but it’s also home to cool places to go canyoning. The terrain here is diverse and it’s a great way to stay cool.
If you’re new to canyoning, no worries! Okanagan Canyoning offers guided tours and provide all the gear and expertise you need. These tours ensure you’ll stay safe while having a blast as you’ll learn the ropes (literally) from experienced guides.
Okanagan Canyoning tours are run by Western Canyoning Adventure, a team that’s been rocking it in the Rockies for five years. Their local guides know all the cool spots and with the experience of a well-established company, they’ll take you on a wild (but safe) adventure through the canyons in Kelowna.
Why You’ll Love Canyoning in the Okanagan
Are you ready to fall in love with canyoning in the Okanagan? I sure hope so!
The Okanagan is an outdoor lover’s paradise and canyoning takes your adventure game to a whole new level. You’ll rappel down stunning waterfalls, slide down natural rock formations, and explore the creek—all surrounded by the Okanagan’s beauty.
Not convinced yet? Here are some more reasons:
- One-of-a-kind adventure: Canyoning isn’t your typical hike (not that a great hikes isn’t awesome). It’s a wild adventure that gets you up close and personal with nature, pushing both your body and mind to the limit! Okay, maybe not the actual limit — it’s good for beginners, I’m just being dramatic.
- Adrenaline rush: From heart-pounding rappels to refreshing swims, canyoning is a full-body workout that leaves you full of excitement. And maybe a few bruises.
- Stay cool: The Okanagan’s canyons are hidden gems and will keep you cool even on the hottest of summer days.
- Perfect for groups: Whether you’re with friends, family, or flying solo, canyoning is an awesome way to create unforgettable memories.
Okanagan Canyoning Highlights
In Kelowna, the canyoning tours are perfect for both newbies and seasoned thrill-seekers. I won’t spill the beans on the exact spots, but trust me, they’re super close to Kelowna and easy to get to—no need to trek deep into the mountains with a 4×4!
My first canyoning adventure was on their easier Kelowna tour. I went solo and ended up with an awesome group that made the experience a lot of fun. If you’re worried about finding people to join you on these adventures, don’t be! Going solo is just as fun and you’ll make new friends along the way.
Which Tour Should You Do?
Okanagan Canyoning currently offers two tours in Kelowna and each offer their own unique thrills.
The first Kelowna tour is perfect for families and beginners, while the second Kelowna tour is more difficult. Both are beginner-friendly, but you’ll definitely need a good sense of adventure for the second Kelowna tour!
What to Expect on Your Guided Canyoning Tour in Kelowna
Since it’s a guided tour, they’ve got you covered with all the safety gear—wetsuits, helmets, ropes, and expert guides to keep you safe and sound.
All you need to bring is your swimsuit, some water, snacks, and maybe a towel (though it’s not a must). Oh, and don’t forget a waterproof camera to capture all the epic moments! I brought an Insta360 and next time I’ll bring a waterproof case for my phone.
Now that you’re pumped about canyoning, here’s what you can expect on your guided tour in Kelowna!
Meeting at the Kelowna Fruit Stand
Both Kelowna tours kick off at the Kelowna Fruit Stand near the YLW airport. Look for the trailer with “Okanagan Canyoning” in the parking lot.
Definitely take some time to check out the market before or after your adventure. They’ve got an awesome selection of local goodies—perfect if you forgot to pack a snack. Plus, you’ll get a ticket for a free ice cream after your tour, so be sure to come back for a tasty treat!
Once everyone’s gathered at the trailer, the guides will give you a safety briefing, covering all the important stuff and best practices. You’ll sign your waiver while the guides load up everyone’s wetsuits and helmets into their vehicle.
Driving to the Canyon Trailhead
From the Kelowna Fruit Stand, everyone hops back into their vehicles and follows the guides to the canyon. No need for a 4×4, but be ready for some bumpy backroads.
When you get to the trailhead, you’ll park and meet back up with the guides. Time to suit up! Slip into your wetsuit and booties—the booties are like cozy socks for your runners, keeping your feet warm just like the wetsuit does for the rest of your body. Let the adventure begin!
Hiking to the Trailhead
Next, grab your helmet and harness and get ready for a short, 10-minute hike up the creek to the start of your canyoning adventure. Parts of this hike can be pretty exposed, so don’t forget to slap on some sunscreen!
The trail has a bit of elevation change, but nothing too wild. Along the way, you’ll stumble upon an old car riddled with bullet holes—there’s a cool mystery behind how it got there, make sure to ask your guides if they don’t tell you.
Finally, you’ll make your descent into the canyon and reach the creek where the real fun begins.
The canyon is quite beautiful. The walls are covered in green mosses and the water is stained a tea colour from the nearby cedars.
The Canyoning Tour
The tour kicks off with a bang! Almost right away, you’ll plunge into the water and tackle a fallen tree—swim under it or climb over, your call.
Then, you’ll wade through the creek to get the hang of walking on the slippery rocks. Take it slow and steady so you don’t slip or get your ankle stuck because that would definitely put a damper on your adventure.
Before long, you’ll reach the first waterfall rappel. Technically, it’s not a “real” rappel since the guides lower you down, but it’s a lot of fun and a great way to start the adventure! Depending on the water levels, you might get absolutely drenched.
Throughout the rest of the tour, you’ll zip over a few more waterfalls (including a massive two-tiered one), shimmy along the canyon walls, navigate slippery rocks, do some optional cliff jumping, and zoom down a natural waterslide.
I won’t spoil all the juicy details—half the fun is discovering them for yourself! Just know that it’s so much fun.
My Canyoning Experience in Kelowna
So, what did I think of the canyoning tour? Well, if it’s not already obvious, I absolutely loved it! I’d never tried anything like it before and ended up having the time of my life.
What made it so much fun? First, I absolutely love exploring nature in any way I can and this was a fresh, exciting adventure that I’d been looking forward to for weeks.
I was a bit nervous about diving into something new solo, but the group and guides were so awesome that I quickly forgot all about it. Plus, I love challenging myself with new experiences and want to see and do as much as I possibly can.
Plus, how can you not love ziplining over waterfalls?!
Some Struggles
That said, I did have a few struggles along the way.
First off, I seriously debated whether or not to cliff jump into the base of the waterfall. I’d never cliff jumped before and all I could think about was hitting the wrong spot and hurting myself.
After a bit of mental back-and-forth, I finally took the leap—and I’m so glad I did! After all, how often do you get the chance to cliff jump into a creek? Plus, I had a helmet, watched everyone else do it, and the guide was right there supervising, so I felt pretty confident.
Next up was the big zipline over a two-tiered waterfall.
At the end, you have to pull yourself up the side of the cliff to get off the zipline. I struggled the longest of everyone to get my foot into the rope ladder and haul myself up—my upper body and core strength (or lack thereof) really failed me. It was both frustrating and embarrassing. But would I let that stop me from doing it again? No way!
Despite these challenges, the entire experience was unforgettable. If you’re looking for an adventure that’s out of the ordinary, I can’t recommend canyoning in the Okanagan enough!
Okanagan Canyoning FAQ
The best place to go canyoning in the Okanagan is in Kelowna. These areas offer spectacular waterfalls, awesome natural rock slides, and stunning canyon landscapes perfect for an fun adventure. Plus, that’s where the guided tours are.
Yes, swimming is often required in canyoning as you navigate through deep pools and flowing streams. However, the specific requirements can vary depending on the canyoning route and the water levels.
Canyoning and canyoneering are essentially the same activity with both involving navigating through canyons using various techniques such as rappelling, swimming, and climbing. In the Okanagan (and Canada in general), canyoning is used to describe these exciting adventures.
You should try canyoning in the Okanagan for the adrenaline rush and the unique opportunity to explore stunning natural landscapes. It combines adventure, physical challenge, and the chance to experience hidden gems in Kelowna.
The difficulty of canyoning can vary from beginner-friendly routes to more advanced challenges. In the Okanagan, guided tours are available to match different skill levels so that you can have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Yes, canyoning is accessible to a wide range of people, from beginners to experienced adventurers. In the Okanagan, guided tours provide all necessary equipment and training which makes it possible for anyone to enjoy this exciting activity.
A moderate level of fitness is recommended for canyoning since it involves activities such as hiking, swimming, and climbing. In the Okanagan, there are routes suitable for different fitness levels so you can choose an adventure that matches your physical abilities.