Welcome to the Elk River in the heart of the Rockies!
Rivers are not lakes! River experience, including how to manoeurve around hazards such as logjams and how to self rescue is required. Avoid high-water season (~ May-early July) unless highly experienced or with a professional guide.
The Elk River is located in southeastern British Columbia, Canada and is a non-motorized, undammed river that flows primarily south through the Elk Valley and town of Fernie. It is known for exceptional fly fishing, rafting and paddling with a mix of class 1-6 level rapids. The Elk River watershed drains a total area of 4,450km2 and starts its journey from glaciers in Elk Lakes Provincial Park north of Elkford and is joined by over a hundred streams and creeks during its 220km path to the Koocanusa reservoir (aka Kootenay River). From there the water flows through the Kootenay River and joins one of the largest rivers in North America, the Columbia River which flows out into the Pacific Ocean in Astoria, Oregon.
The Elk River is a specially classified river for its fishery and requires two types of fly fishing licences. No fishing is allowed between April 1 - June 14 every year.
View the Elk River Map - View map for visual details on river sections, distances, difficulties and more. Please keep all areas clean of garbage.
NOTICE - The Elk River is a freestone river which can change in flow patterns, hazards and intensity with spring run off and other weather events. The Elk River has many dangerous sections and hazards such as log jams, rocks and strainers (fallen trees under water where branches can catch and drown you). Be an experienced river users or go with an experienced guide. Know before you go and be prepared. For more information on river safety visit AdventureSmart. See below for explanations of river difficultly classifications.
How to access the Elk River - PLAN AHEAD!
By Foot
Many sections of the Elk River is accessible on foot, however much of the land along the Elk River is private so adhere to signage. Common places are within the communities, where walking paths and parks may help provide access the river. Otherwise marked locations where paddlers and fly fishing boats enter are recommended. Before you go ensure you know the section of river you are about to experience and are skilled in river activities, navigation and safety.
By Boat (non-motorized only)
There are two types of river access sites, Hand Launches and Boat Launches depending on the type of boat you have, and whether you can carry it by hand or not.
Hand Launches are common areas, not signed but commonly used, where paddlers can find parking nearby and walk their water craft to the river hand launch site (portage). Many people will find random places along the Elk River (like By Foot details above), to start their activity on the river. Boat launches can also be used as hand launch locations. Again understand the section of river and its difficulty level and where you plan to exit ahead of time, use the river map (link above) and plan ahead.
- Local parks along the Elk River within communities can provide easy access for a hand launch and may provide nearby parking.
- Know hand launch locations, in order of up stream to down stream on the Elk River, include:
- Round Prairie - ~ 8km north of Elkford via Elk Lakes Forest Service Road (ELFSR), two exits off ELFSR at ~ 5km mark. 4x4 high clearance vehicles only. This area has many interconnecting rough dirt roads with multiple ways to get to the river without any signage to guide you. User beware. There are areas that can be found to launch a boat via vehicle and trailer but it is not marked and can change depending on water levels. The section of river is Class II to the Elkford Boat Launch site and has a lot of gravel and wood debris that requires careful manoeuvring. It is not a river section used by local fly fishing guides. If paddling from here take out at the Elkford Boat Launch/Take-Out, approx 7km down river. Read river map and below for more information.
- Sparwood - a steep, narrow path, not well maintained, down to the river next to the base of the Matevic Trail Pedestrian Bridge, located in the town of Sparwood. Limited parking. Fit, experienced paddlers could carry a raft down from the parking area. If paddling from here, Class II section, take out at Olsen Pit Boat Launch, approx. 14km down river. Read river map and below for more information.
- Fernie - North Fernie Bridge - When driving through Fernie heading east, pass Tim Hortons and cross the North Fernie Bridge over the Elk River. The pull out area is located right after the bridge on the right just off Highway 3 (this can be a very busy section of highway and busy parking area so be cautious and safe). Limited parking only for single vehicles, not for trailers or RVs. Short steep walk to the river on a rocky small shore. If the parking is full use the below hand launch instead. This is a popular put-in for short family/friend floats ( ~ 3km) to Dogwood Boat Launch, a Class 1 section of the river through town. NOTE: Dogwood Boat Launch is heavily used by fly fishing guides and their boats on trailers (as a put-in and take-out), so be cautious and respectful on the boat ramp. Read river map and below for more information.
- Fernie - North end of Annex Park - There is a concrete ramp hand launch located along the paved Fernie Valley Pathway trail just down river from the North Fernie Bridge where Annex Park begins (up from the fork in the pathway). Parking is limited to a residential area around 16th Street & 12th Avenue. It is a better option than the North Fernie Bridge in regards to being away from the busy highway. This is a newly built hand launch ramp and would be used as a put-in for short family/friend floats to Dogwood Boat Launch, a Class 1 section of the river through town. NOTE: Dogwood Boat Launch is heavily used by fly fishing guides and their boats on trailers (as a put-in and take-out), so be cautious and respectful on the boat ramp. Read river map and below for more information.
Boat Launches (some are take-outs only) are day-use only and at locations where you can launch your non-motorized water craft (raft, drift boat) into the river using a ramp for your vehicle and trailer. Please respect other river users and do not camp overnight, block ramps or block turn around areas. View the river map link above to get a visual understanding of all the locations.
- Elkford Boat Take Out
- A take-out only due significant hazards and a long-term impassable logjam approximately 4km downstream with no take-out options between. A vehicle and trailer can access the river here.
- Once in Elkford, take Fording River Road across the bridge over the Elk River. Take a left onto Round Prairie Forest Service Road. From there, on the immediate left, is a dirt road to the boat launch site. Parking is available on the opposite side of the launch, across the river near the ESSO gas station. Read river map for more information.
- Line Creek Boat Launch
- Located between Sparwood and Elkford. Land is privately owned by TECK that allows this access.
- Take Hwy 43 north from Sparwood towards Elkford. After approximately 20km and turn right onto Line Creek Mine Road, cross the bridge over the Elk River and the access to the boat launch site is the next right turn after the bridge. Read river map for more information.
- Olsen Pit Boat Launch
- Located between Fernie and Sparwood. Take Hwy 3 north from Fernie (or south from Sparwood). Olsen Road is hard to see off the highway ahead of time but is located directly across the highway from Ingham Rest Area. Please note the highway is a multi-lane passing section here, please only turn right onto Olsen Road or if comeing from the Fernie direction pull into the Ingham Rest Area first to then come back onto the highway safely heading back towards Fernie and thus allowing you to turn right safely onto Olsen Road.
- The area to launch boats is a natural large rocky area along the river you can drive onto. Do not leave vehicles parked on the rocky beach area, use the parking area away from the river by the picnic table and sign. Read river map for more information.
- Hosmer Boat Launch
- Located just north of Fernie and south of the small hamlet of Hosmer. The boat launch site access road is not labelled and is hard to see off the highway.
- If you're travelling south on Highway 3 from Sparwood/Hosmer, cross the bridge over the Elk River after you pass through Hosmer. When crossing the bridge start your right turn signal and begin to slow down. About 400m past the bridge is a narrow dirt road on your right. Take this SLOWLY down and right to the site, watch for other vehicles coming up from the boat launch.
- If you're travelling north on Highway 4 from Fernie, it is hard to see the road and you can't turn left across the highway. So continue over the bridge over the Elk River into Hosmer and find a spot to turn around and head back south on the Highway, over the bridge - see directions above. Read river map for more information.
- Dogwood / Fernie Boat Launch
- Located within the city of Fernie in Dogwood Park. Currently the only formally built boat launch.
- Take 4th Street towards Historic Downtown and take a right onto 4th Avenue (first right after the historic Court House on your left), follow (SLOWLY) down towards the river and veer left following the road to the end at Dogwood Park.
- Ample parking, toilet, picnic tables on site. Popular area for local and visitors to enjoy the park and river. Read river map for more information.
- Morrissey Boat Launch
- Located 15km south of Fernie off Highway 3 along Morrissey Road on the down river side (before crossing the river) of the bridge over the Elk River. Boat launch is within Morrissey Provincial Park (no services, limited parking).
- NOTE - there is an Elk River Access Improvements initiative this mid-late September 2024 to install a formal boat launch at this site. For more information email [email protected]
- Elko Boat Take-Out (take-out only - dam below)
- Located within the town of Elko off River Forest Service Road on the down stream side of the bridge crossing the Elk River.
- This is a TAKE-OUT ONLY due to the Elko Dam just down stream of the take out.
- NOTE - there is an Elk River Access Improvements initiative with plans to install a formal boat launch at this site in mid-late September 2024 or 2025. For more information email [email protected]
- Highway 93 Access
- Located south of Elko along Highway 93. Cross the bridge over the Elk River and there is a right hand turn onto a dirt road right after the bridge and has a steep narrow road down to the river.
- This is where the rafting companies pull out before the river flows into the Koocanusa.
- Public can access the river for walk-wade fishing, gentle paddling excursion towards the Koocanusa. Note this is a cow grazing area, please do not disturb any cows in the area.
For information on the section of the Elk River below the dam and above the Hwy 93 Access please contact Canyon Raft or Tunnel49 Rafting Co. There are no formal or easy access points for the public below the dam. Both rafting companies offer one of North America's best full-day guided whitewater rafting trips on this section of the Elk River.
River Classifications* - Understanding the difficult types of river sections and rapids
Class A - Lake water. Still. No perceptible movement. met. Even nor
Class I - Easy. Smooth water; light riffles; clear passages, occasional sand banks and gentle curves. The most difficult problems might arise when paddling around bridges and other obvious obstructions such as log jams.
Class II - Moderate. Medium-quick water; rapids with regular waves; clear and open passages between rocks and ledges. Maneuvering required. Best handled by intermediates who can maneuver their water craft and read the water.
Class III - Moderately difficult. Numerous high and irregular waves; rocks and eddies with passages clear but narrow and requiring experience to run. Visual inspection required if rapids are unknown. These rapids are best left to river users with expert skills.
Class IV - Difficult. Long and powerful rapids and standing waves; souse holes and boiling eddies. Powerful and precise maneuvering required. Visual inspection mandatory. Advance preparations for possible rescue work important.
Class V - Extremely difficult. Long and violent rapids that follow each other almost without interruption. River filled with obstructions. Big drops and violent currents. Extremely steep gradient. Even reconnoitering may be difficult. Rescue preparations mandatory. Can be run only by top experts in specially equipped whitewater crafts.
Class VI - Extraordinarily difficult. River users face constant threat of death because of extreme danger. Navigable only when water levels and conditions are favorable. This violent whitewater should be left to paddlers of Olympic ability. Every safety precaution must be taken.
*Source: Paddling.com
