Have a Pembina River rafting adventure one hour west of Edmonton this summer. Bring your partner or family members for a spectacular day on the water. It’s a perfect calm river to dunk your feet in when you get hot, or even better to go swimming and cool off your entire body. Some parts of the river are deep and slow down enough to jump from your raft – or if you prefer, paddle to the side of the river to go swimming from the edge. Swimmers might need to go in between rafting groups, as there could be many out on a gorgeous day.
The dry waterproof clear bag is wonderful for keeping everything dry, including a carrot apple loaf snack already pre-cut and ready to eat. I’m wearing a life jacket (typically they come in bright colours such as orange, yellow and red and come with a whistle) in this picture. In subsequent adventures, I’ve chosen a PFD as a more comfortable option. Pembina River rafting is a fantastic way to spend the day with your loved ones.
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Pembina River Rafting Location
The Pembina River rafting starting location can be reached through Pembina River Tubing, south of Entwistle. The trip ends at Pembina Provincial Park. Get out just after the 16A concrete bridge (with a canoer on it). If you raft in the middle of the day you’ll see a bunch of rafters exiting there. Many swimmers can be seen there as well as it’s a deep section perfect for that activity. The journey currently takes two hours and fifteen minutes to complete but can change depending on water levels.
Pembina River Rafting Prices
There are two choices (applicable to both owning your raft or renting one):
- group reservation
- avoid waiting in line
- arrive fifteen minutes before your reservation time
- reservation cost is $20 (includes six people plus one shuttle service for one person for $15 to retrieve the vehicle from Pembina River Tubing and go back to Pembina Provincial Park Day Use area to pick everyone up in your vehicle)
- Adding shuttle service for more people is possible once arrived at Pembina River Tubing
- They take debit, Visa and Mastercard
- Adding shuttle service for more people is possible once arrived at Pembina River Tubing
- parking is included in your reservation cost
- can only be done two weeks in advance from the date you want to raft
- signing a waiver is required before entering the water
- the cost of a tube rental is additional – prices are below
- first come first serve
- free
- there could be long wait lines to rent a tube/equipment (group reservations get priority) or if you have your own raft, you’ll need to sign a waiver stating that Pembina River Tubing isn’t liable
- parking costs $5 (non-reservable and they could have limited parking availability)
- you can add a shuttle service once on the property
Renting a Tube and Equipment
These are the costs of tubes depending on what size you’d like. The prices differ from child to adult as well. Pembina River Tubing has the details on their site. If you have a group reservation, it includes the shuttle service for one person, the cost for the tube will be less.
| Tube Size | Different Tube Sizes | |
| Person and tube returning on a shuttle | Ranging from $10 to $33 | |
| Only tube returning on a shuttle | Ranging from $18 to $28 |
Lifejackets Cost (required to be worn on the water)
- Adult: $19
- Child and youth : $11
Options to get back to the start
- Have a vehicle at each end
- Pay for the shuttle service at Pembina River Tubing to get back from Pembina Provincial Park
- costs $15/person (your raft can ride on top of the bus)
- Pay for the shuttle service at Pembina Provincial Park Day Use Area
- costs $20/person (you can embark if they have extra room)
Easy and Calm River for Rafting
The picture shows the general calm state of the river. With everyone’s raft blown up, PFDs (personal flotation devices) put on, and paddles in hand, you’re ready for an adventure! Here’s an explanation of the difference between a PFD and a lifejacket. A PFD fits your body and is made to be used frequently making it more comfortable to raft, canoe or kayak for longer periods. A lifejacket is bulkier to allow more surface area to keep a person floating and turn them easily from their front to their back so that they can breathe.
Lunch and Snacks
Additional personal items (snacks, lunch and water) can be useful to bring along as well. You never know when you’re going to be hungry and want to nibble on a snack. Pembina River rafting includes Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews for an excellent snack to give you a boost of energy. They come in different flavours depending on your favourite type. Lunch isn’t necessary to bring with you as the float isn’t very long but if you’re going over the lunch hour, it’s something to consider. A raft allows additional room to bring things with you as opposed to a tube that has very little extra room, only your body to sit. Having lunch at Pembina Provincial Park after your rafting experience is a nice option as well. A water bottle is important to have on you as well to stay hydrated.
Clothes
It’s highly suggested that you wear your swimsuit under your personal flotation device. You’ll likely get wet while rafting. It’s easier to go swimming by having your swimsuit already on than having to stop in the trees to put it on. A rafter will be happier to get their swimsuit wet as opposed to their clothes.
Backpacking towels (compact) or a regular towel (bulky) can be wonderful to have as well, especially if you decide to go for a swim. The hot temperatures could dry you off, but if it’s cool and chilly you might be happy to have a towel to dry off quicker. For cooler weather, since it’s hard to predict what the weather will be when you reserve online, it would be wise to bring a lightweight blouse to either protect you from the wind or keep the sun off your shoulders, neck and back.
Tip #1: Sandals, water shoes or footwear with backing is a good idea to wear while rafting for ease of getting in and out of the water.
Tip #2: Flip-flops tend to be engulfed by the river and normally don’t reach their end destination. These are highly discouraged as footwear to bring with you and help keep the waterways clean.
Pembina River Rafting Bridges
It’s a cool experience to raft underneath different types of bridges along the way. Watch out for bridge pillars and go around them.
Many different boat types can be seen on the river. You could bring your kayak along as well if you wanted to bring it instead of a raft.
Tip #1: Do NOT tie your rafts or tubes together on the river. Branches or rocks can sometimes be found in the middle of the river making it harder to go around with a group of tied-up rafters. It could potentially tear your inflatable – or worse, be a drowning hazard if two rafts go their separate ways on either side of a concrete bridge beam in the water. It can be extremely dangerous and result in a rescue. Independent rafts allow you to move quickly and escape potential dangers along the way.
It’s best way to stay near your group is by either buying a big raft to fit your entire family or using the paddles that come with your raft to stay together on the river. Hanging onto the handles of the rafts can also work and let go when danger arises (you start approaching rocks, branches or other rafters).
Tip #2: Tie up your belongings on the raft string or handles of the inflatable not to lose anything in the current.
Pembina River Rafting Family Time
It was a fantastic day to spend quality time with Kris and Mel (my family) in the outdoors. As you can see by my face, I’m covered in sunscreen, trying my best to avoid getting sunburnt. I took the pictures with a Fujifilm FinePix XP140 Waterproof Digital Camera. It’s a great gift for people who enjoy doing water activities. It’s nice to have a waterproof camera instead of a phone, in case it gets wet. The last thing you want is to drop your phone in the water or for an expensive phone to get damaged from the water landing on it.
I’m wearing my MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD in this picture compared to my lifejacket in the first picture as it’s more form-fitting to my body. I decided to invest later in life in a personal flotation device that would be better suited for my needs. It also has a large pocket in the front to carry my waterproof camera, which is super convenient. It has a key hook as well to make sure I don’t lose my keys, which is awesome! Many pockets allow snack storage and other items you might need to bring with you along the way.
If you’re looking for a fantastic water adventure, Pembina River rafting is a wonderful way to spend the day!
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