Waiparous Creek flows through the Ghost-Waiparous area west of Cochrane in Alberta, eventually draining toward Ghost Lake. The creek has been paddled as a continuous run, with one documented route launching near Margaret Lake and running downstream to Ghost Lake. At higher water levels the creek has been characterized as class 2 to low class 3 whitewater, while at lower water levels the difficulty decreases but hazards increase significantly in the form of wood and sweepers, which paddlers should treat as serious dangers throughout the run.

The Waiparous Creek Provincial Recreation Area provides a base for paddlers visiting the area, offering 53 campsites available by reservation as well as group camping and day-use facilities. Canoeing and kayaking are listed among the permitted activities at the recreation area. The surrounding area also supports fishing and hiking, and OHV use is prevalent throughout the Ghost-Waiparous region, which is worth noting as it affects the character of the access roads and campgrounds.

Water levels on Waiparous Creek can vary considerably by season. The creek has been noted as running high enough for a creek boat in early June, suggesting spring and early summer snowmelt periods may offer the most viable paddling conditions. At lower water levels, strainers and woody debris become the primary concern and can make sections hazardous regardless of the technical difficulty rating.

Paddlers considering this run should be aware that the Ghost-Waiparous area is managed under an Operational Access Management Plan, and the Waiparous Creek PRA falls within the Kananaskis region of Alberta Parks. Given the documented hazard of wood and sweepers even at low water, solid river-reading skills and appropriate whitewater experience are advisable before attempting this creek.