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Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams

125 reviews
#6 of 10 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Whistler
Boat Tours & Water Sports, Outdoor Activities, Tours, More
Whistler, Canada
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About Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams
Discover Whistler's original summer activity the legendary River of Golden Dreams and scenic Alta Lake – The flat water river is more than just a float it’s a Exploring Adventure. Beaver, Eagles, Osprey, Heron’s and even Black Bears are regular sights will have you eagerly wondering what’s around the next bend in the river including spectacular views of mountain peaks in a natural environment. Our River trips have limited availability and often sell out, please pre book to assure your spot. Unlike an amusement park ride River of Golden Dreams trips allow you to be an active participant. One of the reasons people keep coming back to paddle the river is it is different every time they come. In the spring the water levels can be high and moving though always flat and no rapids. By mid-summer water levels are gentle. By late summer the beaver start rebuilding their dams creating pools to paddle in. Water levels are low and steering the boat properly avoids obstacles. Guides are recommended though experienced river paddlers go unguided. It’s most certainly not what you expected. Our staff present river orientations to make this a fun, eco-friendly, educational exploring outing. Located at Lakeside Park minutes from Whistler Village. Free Transportation is available for River of Golden Dreams Tours from all Whistler Village hotels and vacation/ holiday accommodations.
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Hours Today: 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
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Reviews (125)
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All reviews alta lake water level single kayaks self guided tour canoe rentals experienced paddlers twilight tour great fun canoe trip clear instructions own pace great morning beautiful scenery sunny day a lot of fun amazing experience these guys
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago
"Perfect day of kayaking down the river of dreams"

We, a group of six had an amazing time kayaking on Alta Lake and then touring down the river of dreams! Perfect day and "Joe" was a highlight to our day! Will recommend Backroads Adventure to all our friends and when your are in Whistler...More

Date of experience: September 2019
Thank Helen W
Ericstra, Owner at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

HI Helen W. thanks for being a repeat customer. And yes "Joe' will be back next year:)

Reviewed 3 weeks ago
Dutchies do the River of Golden Dreams

Fantastic day, we had a group of six, quadruplets and twins, kayaked the Golden River of Dreams and had a great time. “Joe” was super accommodating to all of our needs and flexible with our options. I would highly recommend this company and definitely hit...More

Date of experience: September 2019
Thank Stephanie K
Ericstra, Public Relations Manager at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

HI Stephanie K x 6 so fun to have you back again. See you next year, cheers "Joe'

Reviewed 3 weeks ago
Being one with Nature

Eric was polite, professional, and accommodating. My friends and I are experienced paddlers and Eric was great with different package options for his canoe rentals that suited our skill level. We paddled this in mid-September 2019 and was warned about the river being shallow before arriving...More

Date of experience: September 2019
Thank littlecupofcoco
Ericstra, Owner at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

HI littlecupofcoco glad you and a wonderful day. thanks for your review. E

Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile
Great location, great staff, great experience, 100% recommended

I really enjoyed my time canoeing across Alta like and down the river of golden dreams with Backroads

Date of experience: September 2019
Thank Adventure for A
Ericstra, Owner at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

Hi Adventure for A :)

Reviewed September 5, 2019
Not for the inexperienced

We visited in September and do not feel we were adequately informed about the beaver damns (10 or so) which were impossible to get over in a canoe - which meant getting out of the canoe a lot and getting wet (at times waist deep)....More

Date of experience: September 2019
Thank 378countrygirl
Reviewed September 1, 2019
River of Beaver nightmares

Don’t go in late August or early September UNLESS you love battling 345 beaver dams. The dams were a nightmare 1 or 10 would have been fine but we lost count after 23. Have fun!!!

Date of experience: September 2019
1  Thank Companion580107
Eric W, Owner at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded September 2, 2019

There are currently 8 dams. We are completely honest with guests on what to expect. We've been getting excellent comments. I wonder why you didn't say something to us at the time?

Reviewed August 12, 2019
A beautiful experience!

This is a beautiful experience to do with the whole family. We were two adults and one child. I say it's safe yet you have to be prepared to get in the cold glacier water from time to time to push or pull the Canoe....More

Date of experience: August 2019
Thank tiranbe
Eric W, Owner at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded August 17, 2019

Hey Tiranbe! Thank you so much for taking the time to give us your feedback! We are so happy you enjoyed your trip with us! Hope to see you again soon :)

Reviewed August 11, 2019
Amazing spontaneous afternoon

I've been wanting to paddle the ROGD for probably 15 years, but the river was always too high or too low or my schedule didn't work out. I booked this paddle with about an hour's notice and they added an extra trip due to the...More

Date of experience: July 2019
Thank Shuttered
Eric W, Owner at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded August 17, 2019

Hey! Thank you so much for taking the time to give us such a fabulous review! We are so happy you were finally able to find time to do the River of Golden Dreams-it's definitely worth it! Hope to see you back sometime soon :)

Reviewed August 11, 2019
Wonderul day in Idyllic setting

We spent a fantastic day at the lake, as a large group (16 people - adults, teens, young kids) and hired various bits of equipment: kayaks, canoes and SUPs Excellent service all around Just a fantastic day. If you spend time in summer in Whistler,...More

Date of experience: July 2019
Thank janshury
Eric W, Owner at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded August 17, 2019

Yay! We are so glad you enjoyed yourself! Thanks very much for the feedback!

Reviewed August 10, 2019
Fun times

we seen baby ducks and lots of birds! our group was very well taken care of, they have wonderful guides. i hope to do it again soon!

Date of experience: July 2019
Thank allison-traveler
Eric W, Owner at Backroads Whistler - River of Golden Dreams, responded to this reviewResponded August 17, 2019

Thanks for the review Allison! We are so happy that you had a great time on the river! We pride ourselves on having some of the best guides in Whistler :) We hope to see you again soon.

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bryantroy2009
August 24, 2018|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from deanf646 | Reviewed this property |
They should still be operating in October.
0
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annewJ426BB
July 11, 2018|
Answer
Response from BackroadsWhistler | Property representative |
Hi Anne The River of Golden Dreams is special. if you have the time do it for sure. It's not physically demanding as you're going with the flow of the river. By 12 years old most kids are fine in a single kayak. River trips... More
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awillmann
July 6, 2017|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from BackroadsWhistler | Property representative |
Hi awillmann When we designed this trip we realized most of our guests would be inexperienced paddlers hence the 3 hour round trip. This gives them plenty of time to get used to the boat in the lake before heading to the... More
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