White Water Rafting · Laurentians
How to choose
Four rafting trips on the Rivière Rouge range from 62 € to 80 €, with durations stretching from 3h to half day to full day. Two access points in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge serve all tours. For beginners or families, Nouveau Monde Rafting - New World Rafting opens its classic guided raft to everyone for 3h. Propulsion Rafting runs three formats: a standard raft marked “occasionally sporty” for those easing into whitewater, then a cataraft and a canoraft both tagged “sporty” for paddlers ready to work harder in faster current. Budget-wise, the entry-level guided raft starts at 62 €. The two sportier crafts top out at 80 € each. Pick by physical level first: if you want the highest-intensity read on the Rouge, go for the cataraft or canoraft.
4 offers available
Our picks
Guided Rafting on the Rivière Rouge near Montreal, Laurentians
At 62 € for 3h and open to all levels, it delivers the lowest entry price on the river.
Cataraft on the Red River in the Laurentians, near Montreal
The cataraft on the Rouge is rated sporty, runs 3h of active whitewater, and tops the price range at 80 €, reflecting its higher physical demand.
Rafting on the Rouge River in the Laurentians, near Montreal
Rated occasionally sporty at 63 € with half day to full day options, this standard raft is the right step up from beginner without throwing you into the deep end.
Canoraft on the Rouge River in the Laurentians, near Montreal
The canoraft puts you at water level in an inflatable canoe-style hull for 3h at 80 €, a format you won't find on most Quebec rivers.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most intense moment on the Rivière Rouge?
The river's biggest rapids hit hardest when spring snowmelt is still feeding the flow, typically in May and June. The cataraft and canoraft tours are rated sporty precisely because they put you closer to the water and demand active paddling through the roughest sections.
Do you need rafting experience to join?
Not for the guided raft with Nouveau Monde Rafting - New World Rafting, which is open to everybody. The cataraft and canoraft tours are rated sporty and suit participants with some physical fitness, though prior rafting experience is not a strict requirement.
What's the difference between a cataraft and a canoraft?
A cataraft sits you on two inflatable tubes linked by a frame, keeping you high above the water. A canoraft is an inflatable canoe-style craft that puts you at water level. Both are rated sporty at 80 € and run for 3 hours on the Rouge.
How long is the season on the Rivière Rouge?
Tours run from May through September. The highest water levels and fastest current occur in May and early June. By August the river is warmer but flows lower, which changes the rapid intensity.
Can I do a multi-day rafting trip in the Laurentians?
Propulsion Rafting offers a trip ranging from half day to full day, starting at 63 €. Multi-day expeditions are no longer available among the four tours listed.
Are tours guided in English?
All four tours are guided in both English and French, run by Nouveau Monde Rafting - New World Rafting and Propulsion Rafting.
Best time to go
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -8.7 °C | 84.2 mm | Possible |
| February | -8.7 °C | 82.2 mm | Possible |
| March | -3.6 °C | 67 mm | Possible |
| April | 4.6 °C | 87.7 mm | Possible |
| May | 11.4 °C | 132.8 mm | Possible |
| June | 16.7 °C | 105.7 mm | Good |
| July | 20.5 °C | 91.5 mm | Peak |
| August | 18.9 °C | 65.1 mm | Good |
| September | 16.2 °C | 117.2 mm | Good |
| October | 8.7 °C | 104.2 mm | Possible |
| November | 1.8 °C | 91.1 mm | Possible |
| December | -6.7 °C | 95.6 mm | Possible |
Practical info
Equipment
Wear a swimsuit under quick-dry clothes and bring a change of dry clothes for after, since you will get wet on all tours. For the sporty cataraft and canoraft sessions, secure your footwear with a strap or choose water shoes that won't come off in fast current.
Getting there
Both operators are based in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Quebec: Nouveau Monde Rafting - New World Rafting at 25 chemin des Sept Chutes and Propulsion Rafting at 619 Chemin de la Rivière-Rouge, roughly 90 minutes northwest of Montreal by car via Highway 50.
See also
White Water Rafting elsewhere
Other activities in Laurentians
Updated September 2026