Whitewater recreation in British Columbia is available in most of the province. Except for north-central and northeast British Columbia, the province is mostly mountainous with many glacial fed rivers draining though steep terrain creating excellent whitewater. Most commercial whitewater operations in British Columbia are rafting outfitters. However the provinces rivers are also well known to be good for whitewater kayaking, whitewater canoeing and river surfing (in select spots) although these activities are often done unguided.
Commercially Guided Whitewater Rivers
British Columbia has many commercially rafted whitewater rivers ranging from half day float trips to week-long wilderness expeditions though raging Class 5 Rapids. Only the most notable are mentioned below.
Fraser River
thumb|Hells Gate
The Fraser River is the largest un-dammed whitewater river in North America with an average flow rate of 3,475m3/s. The river has a steep gradient in a 270 kilometre long Fraser Canyon forming major rapids rated up to Class 5. Major named rapids include Hells Gate and the Bridge River Rapids. Due to its high flows, scenic canyon and numerous rapids it represents the pinnacle of whitewater rafting and kayaking in British Columbia and is one of the largest commercially rafted rivers in the world. Several outfitters and rafting companies run tours on the Fraser River.
Thompson River
thumb|Rapids on the Thompson River
The Thompson River is a major tributary of the Fraser River and features rapids and canyon scenery similar to the Fraser but on a smaller scale. While it is a slightly lower difficulty than the Fraser due to its lower water volume, its whitewater is considered among the best in British Columbia. Due to its slightly easier rapids it sees more commercial rafting than the Fraser. Some runs start on the Thompson River and continue down the Fraser after the Thompson merges with it in Lytton.
Kicking Horse River
thumb|Kicking Horse River
The Kicking Horse River is a small tributary of the Columbia River located in eastern British Columbia near the town of Golden. Due to its location along the Trans Canada Highway the area sees significant tourism including numerous day rafting outfitters. Only the section of the river below Wapta Falls is commercially run. The Turnback Canyon section is never run by commercial rafting outfitters and has only been conquered by a handful of world class whitewater kayakers.
Other Notable Whitewater Rivers
Stikine River
The Stikine River's Grand Canyon of the Stikine run is known for being one of the most difficult whitewater descents in the world. Officially considered unnavigable by B.C. parks, it has been run by only a handful of the most experienced whitewater enthusiasts, almost always with air support. The canyon is extremely deep, preventing any chance for kayaker to bail out mid trip. Despite being a decently large river the Stikine squeezes through surging chutes only a meter wide, the descent also includes several small waterfalls.
Liard River
Located in the northern wilderness near the border of the Yukon Territory, the Liard River is British Columbia's second largest un-dammed river and contains a half dozen monstrous Class 5+ rapids in the Grand Canyon of the Liard, the largest of which are the Class 6 Hells Gate (not to be confused with the rapid of the same name on the Fraser River) and The Rapids of the Drowned. Despite being one of the largest and most powerful whitewater rivers in the world the Liard receives very little attention in the present due to the canyon's remote location and the rapids being far too large for safe commercial rafting operations. Liard River Corridor Provincial Park and Protected Area was established in 1999 to prevent the rapids from being harnessed for hydroelectric power.
Tidal Rapids
Skookumchuck Narrows is the only well known and easily accessible tidal rapid in British Columbia; it is located on the Sunshine Coast near the village of Earls Cove. They can range in strength from Class 5 to flat-water depending on the tide at the time of visitation. Some local operators offer tours through the rapids in Zodiacs (but only when they are less than half their peak strength) but most of the visitation is from solo whitewater kayakers and surfers.
center|thumb|440x440px|Skookumchuck Narrows