The Kicking Horse River originates at Wapta Lake in Yoho National Park in the eastern part of British Columbia, flowing through Field, B.C. and over Wapta Falls before reaching the town of Golden, where it joins the Columbia River. It holds the distinction of being the first river in British Columbia designated as a Canadian Heritage River. The river is glacially fed, keeping water temperatures around 3–4 degrees Celsius throughout the summer — a critical safety consideration for all paddlers regardless of skill level.

The river is divided into distinct sections with markedly different character. The upper section, beginning roughly 30 km east of Golden, offers Class 2–3.5 whitewater with easy access and expansive mountain views, suitable for a broad range of paddlers. The middle section, accessed from the rest stop just east of Golden, is the most technically demanding stretch, featuring Class 4 and Class 5 whitewater for approximately 2 km downstream to the top of the lower canyon. The lower canyon delivers roughly 3 km of continuous Class 4 whitewater and is considered suitable only for expert paddlers. One notable wave near the bottom of the lower section is regarded as a standout surf feature.

For the lower section, the put-in is at a highway bridge approximately 15.9 km east of Golden, though access requires crossing railroad lines, which is technically prohibited and may result of a fine. Most paddlers therefore put in on the middle section and continue through both. The take-out for the lower section is at the College of the Rockies Golden Campus parking area. Recommended flows for the lower section run between 30 and 100 cumecs.

The paddling season runs from spring through summer, driven by snowmelt. Spring and early summer bring high-water conditions with larger, more powerful rapids. Through July and into August, flows moderate somewhat, making Class 3 paddling more accessible. The canyon walls rise dramatically around paddlers in the lower section, and mountain goats are occasionally spotted scaling the cliffs above. Wildlife along the calmer stretches near Golden can include beavers, otters, and black bears near the water's edge. The river passes under the Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge, noted as the longest covered timber bridge in Canada, before reaching its confluence with the Columbia River.