The Kakwa River is a tributary of the Smoky River in western Alberta, Canada. The river is named for Kakwa, the Cree word for porcupine. Porcupines are abundant in Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area. Tourism along the river revolves around bull trout fishing and white water rafting. Kakwa Falls (54.10913°N, -119.9235°W) are developed in the course of the river, over a 30 m high ledge formed by an outcrop of the Cadomin Formation. The area was designated a protected wildland (Kakwa Wildland Park). It can be accessed through the forestry road network south of Highway 666, approximately 35 km south of Two Lakes Provincial Park.

Course

The Kakwa River originates in Kakwa Lake, north of McBride, in British Columbia, at an elevation of 1495 m. The surrounding area is protected by Kakwa Provincial Park and Protected Area. The river flows north-east into the province of Alberta in Kakwa Wildlands Park, then flows east and north-east through the foothills. It is crossed by the Bighorn Highway before it converges into the Smoky River, at an elevation of 670 m.

Tributaries

From its origins to its mouth, Kakwa River receives waters from: