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Nicola River (class 2-3)

Nicola River Video

Length: 25 km, 4-5 hrs
Dates: May-June
Times: 10:45 am

 

Nicola River	$CDN
Day Trip (Adults 19+)	$120
Day Trip (Age: 10-18)	$105
Day Trip with Bus Transportation from Kelowna (all seats filled)	$160

The Nicola is an early-summer gem, perfect for first-time and veteran paddlers. We recommend the Nicola for youth, school groups, families and anyone looking for fun, fast-paced action.  The Nicola flows through the hottest and driest region in Canada. Starting in the arid BC Interior near Merritt, the Nicola flows through ranch lands and rugged pine-forest canyons enroute to the Thompson River in Spences Bridge.  All overnight guests in June, July and August and receive a free photo CD of their trip.

REO owns 2 riverfront acres on the Thompson, our Nicola take-out. The rapids on the Nicola are all Class 2-3 except in high water when several drops become Class 4. It is a fun, perky river with an average gradient of 50 feet per mile (steeper than the Thompson river).

Of all our rivers, the Nicola is the best choice in May and June for those wanting easy and intermediate rapids. At this time of the year, our premier trip on the Nahatlatch is high, fast and may be too intense for younger paddlers. The Nicola River is the best option for day trip rafters from Kelowna and the Okanagan. The Nicola put-in is a 2-hour drive from Kelowna.

The Nicola is a perfect paddle rafting river and a favorite of our youth and school groups. The Nicola also makes an excellent first day of rafting on our multi-day packages and retreats.

After floating 23 km on the Nicola, the river enters the mighty Thompson river, which we float to our riverside ranch in Spences Bridge. REO's Thompson River property is the meet location and take-out for Nicola trips. This property is 3.5 hours from Vancouver, 2 hours from Kelowna, and 1.5 hours from the REO's Nahatlatch River resort.

Best rapids: Red Rock Canyon, Ballistic, Headthumper and 17 more Class 2-3 drops.

Our minimum age to raft the Nicola is 8 years, subject to river levels and experience.

Take the Bus: REO offers round-trip bus rides from Kelowna or Vancouver to the river and back. Group rates start at $160 pp based on a group of 20 or more (Please add $10 pp for Vancouver departures). Organizers that fill a bus (45 seats) receive a $450 CDN commission from REO and a free trip. Bus departure times can be arranged to meet the needs of your group. The total time required for the trip, including transportation, is 8 hours from Kelowna and 10 hours from Vancouver.