Families and friends enjoy rafting the Boise River in this undated photo.
Summer days can lead to a big turnout on the Boise River float.
Rafters make their way along the Boise River near the Boise State University campus in July 2020.
A kayaker paddles along the Boise River near the Boise State University campus in July 2020.
Rafters make their way along the Boise River near the Boise State University campus in July 2020.
Families and friends enjoy rafting the Boise River in this undated photo.
Summer days can lead to a big turnout on the Boise River float.
Rafters make their way along the Boise River near the Boise State University campus in July 2020.
A kayaker paddles along the Boise River near the Boise State University campus in July 2020.
Rafters make their way along the Boise River near the Boise State University campus in July 2020.
One of the most popular and well-known forms of recreation in the Treasure Valley during the summer months is floating the Boise River. Floating the river provides a relatively calmer experience in a state filled with plenty of whitewater. The float is consistently mentioned in travel blogs and by locals to people looking for something to do in the hot summer months.
“The phrase 'we were told this is what we do when we come here.' We hear that all the time,” said Scott Koberg, director of Ada County Parks and Waterways. “There just aren't too many places like the Boise River. It's kind of a ribbon that ties the community together.”
Floaters typically start their float at Barber Park and take the approximately two-hour, 6-mile float all the way to the take-out point at Ann Morrison Park.
Koberg and his team have been working hard in partnership with the Boise Fire Department to gear up for float season, which, depending on river and weather conditions, normally starts sometime between Memorial Day and mid-June and lasts until about Labor Day.
One of the ways the fire department prepares for float season is by mitigating and removing debris. The Boise River is lined with trees and it’s not uncommon for those trees or branches to fall into the river. When this happens, the fallen tree or branch can create what Captain Scott Hall of the Boise Fire Department calls a “strainer.”
• Never float the river alone.
• Be considerate and caring to the people that care about you. Let someone know where you are going, when you plan to return, and who to call if you haven't returned by the scheduled time.
• Be sure your knowledge, skills, and abilities are equal to the river and the conditions.
• Wear a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times when you are in or near the river.
• Helmets should be worn by kayakers and canoeists at all times.
• Wear protective footwear and proper clothing to lower chances of possible injury.
• Know about the dangers of hypothermia and how to deal with it.
• Know early signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and dehydration in hot weather.
• Know your limitation and capabilities of swiftwater rescue and self rescue on "white water" rivers. Know when and how to swim for an eddy.
• Keep a first aid kit on hand and know how to use it.
• Know how to apply first aid and CPR.
• Be aware of new obstacles following spring floods.
• Never leave your children unattended around water.
A strainer occurs when water passes through a fallen tree or branch with a lot of moving force but because the tree is connected to the shore, stuck or grounded to the bottom of the river, it doesn’t move. The strainer effectively traps all large objects that get too close to it, and this can include people. Strainers can happen at any time of the year, but floaters are more at-risk for getting caught in them when they float the river out of the specified float season.
“That is a drowning situation that we want to prevent,” Hall said.
Hall and his team have already conducted one survey of the river and located several large fallen trees. Once conditions appear to be getting closer to float season standards, the team will gear up with their boat, chainsaws and winch cables to go out and remove the biggest and most dangerous hazards.
“We're just trying to keep the river as safe as we can make it but, you know, knowing that it's always a natural environment,” Hall said.
Debris mitigation efforts will continue throughout the float season. If floaters spot a fallen tree or overhanging limbs, the best practice is to steer clear. Koberg encourages floaters to be “active participants” during their float rather than just going wherever the current takes them.
“A lot of people ask 'Is it safe yet?' Well, you know, it's never safe. It's always a float at your own risk kind of experience,” Koberg said. “But the more you kind of prepare and plan your trip and think ahead and come to Barber ready with all the equipment you need and have made the proper preparations. You're going to have a great time on the river.”
Fee parking ($7): 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Raft & Tube rental: Noon - 5 p.m.
Shuttle service ($3): 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Fee parking ($7): 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Raft & Tube rental: Noon - 6 p.m.
Shuttle service ($3): 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Fee parking ($7): 9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Raft & Tube rental: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Shuttle service ($3): Noon - 9 p.m.
Preparation starts all the way down to what time and what day you get to the river.
“We expect this to be the busiest season on record,” Koberg said. “It's not a bad idea to plan a trip in off-peak times like a Tuesday or Wednesday, you know, mid-afternoon versus a weekend.”
Parking at Barber Park fills up quickly, especially on hot days, so it’s recommended floaters get there early. The parking lot is open every day from sunrise to sunset.
According to Boise Police Department spokesperson Haley Williams, anyone floating the Boise River is asked to park in designated parking areas, including at Barber Park and Ann Morrison Park. Parking in nearby neighborhoods could cause vehicles to be cited. No parking areas are clearly marked and will be monitored by Parking Services throughout the float season.
Koberg said people should also be aware that the river is cold — usually around 50 to 60 degrees — and it’s possible to get hypothermia if you aren’t careful. On the other hand, summertime in Boise can be sweltering, and floaters should wear sunscreen and bring water to stay hydrated. Wearing proper footwear is another important factor in being prepared.
• Be prepared — the Boise River is cold.
Hall recommends that everyone wear a life jacket, which are required for anyone 14 years old or under. He added that if someone is going to float the river, they should know how to swim.
“You can't really start to have fun until you emphasize the safety components,” Koberg said. “A safe float is always a fun float.”
One of the best things about floating the river in-season are the amenities available.
Ada County has a kiosk at Barber Park that outfits floaters with all the rental equipment they’ll need, from rafts and tubes to life vests and paddles. The county also has a shuttle that runs from Ann Morrison Park to Barber Park that people can ride after finishing their float. Cost of the shuttle is $3 per person. Rental equipment prices can be found at boiseriverraftandtube.com.
“It's just such an awesome activity that we're lucky to have right here in our backyard,” Koberg said.
Sydney Kidd is a copy editor and reporter at the Idaho Press. Follow her on Twitter: @Syd__Kidd
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Please disable your ad blocker, whitelist our site, or purchase a subscription
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.
Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
A receipt was sent to your email.