Float the Boise River
Barber Park → Ann Morrison Park · 6 miles
Live River Conditions
— cfs
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Typical safe range: 500–1,500 cfs. Always verify with official sources.
Live flow from USGS gauge 13206000, Boise River at Glenwood Bridge.
Weather Forecast
The next few days at a glance, with the best days to get on the water called out.
Best Day to Float This Week
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Forecast from the National Weather Service (NOAA) for the Boise, ID area. This is a weather-based recommendation only — always check river flow and any closures before you go.
Plan Your Float
The route, where to park, and how to get back to your car.
The Route: Barber Park → Ann Morrison Park
It's all downstream — the Boise flows west through town, carrying you from Barber Park to the Ann Morrison take-out. It's a drift, not a paddle.
Distance
~6 miles
Time on water
2–3 hours
Season
Mid-June to Labor Day
Park gates
8 a.m. to sunset
Parking at Barber Park
- •$7 per day (plus a 50¢ fee if paying by card).
- •Kiosk hours: 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m. weekdays, from 9:30 a.m. weekends & holidays.
- •No re-entry without paying again — use the drop-off area when you return for gear or people.
- •The lot closes to entry at 7:30 p.m., but you can still drive out until sunset. Park only in marked spots.
Getting Back to Your Car
Your car is back at Barber Park, about 6 miles upstream.
- •Shuttle bus — $4 per person. Runs between Ann Morrison and Barber Park about every 30 minutes, midday into the evening. No second vehicle needed.
- •Two cars — skip the shuttle fee. Drop one at Ann Morrison first (parking there is free), then drive together to Barber Park to launch. After the float, walk to the car at Ann Morrison and drive back for the other one.
- •Bike the Greenbelt — skip the shuttle fee. The flat, paved path connects both parks (~6 miles) — stash a bike at the take-out and pedal back to Barber Park instead of waiting.
Renting vs. Bringing Your Own
- •Rafts, tubes, and kayaks rent on-site at Barber Park during the season. Life vests are included with raft rentals and available on request.
- •Bringing your own tube? Arrive with it already inflated — the air stations at Barber Park have been removed.
- •No glass containers in the parks or on the river.
Getting to Barber Park
Barber Park is at 4049 S. Eckert Rd. — about 6 miles (15 minutes) southeast of downtown Boise, just off Boise Avenue.
Directions on Google Maps →Gear & Local Rentals
Boise River Raft & Tube rents tubes and rafts on-site at Barber Park during the float season — the easiest option if you don't own gear.
Rent at Barber Park
Tube, raft, and kayak rentals right at the put-in. No gear? Start here.
Rental infoYour Business Here
Run a rental shop, shuttle, or float-friendly business? Get in front of Boise floaters.
Get listedWhat to Bring
River Tubes
Heavy-duty tubes with backrests hold up better than pool floats on this section.
Life Jackets
A comfortable, properly fitted life jacket you'll actually wear. Required for kids under 14 in Idaho.
Dry Bags
Keep phones, keys, and snacks dry. A small roll-top bag clipped to your tube does the job.
Float Day Checklist
Tick things off as you pack — it saves automatically on this device.
Tips for Your Crew
What you need to know depends on who's coming along.
First Time?
- •Rent at Barber Park — gear, life vests, and the shuttle back are all handled for you.
- •Give yourself a full afternoon: 2–3 hours floating plus parking, setup, and the ride back.
- •Wear covered shoes that can get wet — the river bottom is rocky.
- •The water is chilly even on hot days. If you get cold, just get off the water.
Floating with Kids?
- •Idaho law requires kids 14 and under to wear a life jacket on rafts, kayaks, and canoes.
- •Ada County advises against bringing infants or small children under 50 lbs on the river.
- •Make sure everyone in your group can swim, and use the buddy system.
- •A raft is steadier than tubes for young kids — and rentals include life vests.
Floated Before?
- •Check the flow above before you head out — conditions change through the season.
- •Arrive with tubes already inflated — the Barber Park air stations have been removed.
- •Remember: no re-entry to the fee lot without paying again. Use the drop-off area.
- •Leave the river cleaner than you found it.
Safety First
The Boise River is generally calm, but conditions can change. A few basics make a real difference.
- Wear a properly fitted PFD — required by Idaho law for children 14 and under on rafts, kayaks, and canoes.
- Make sure everyone in your party can swim, use the buddy system, and tell someone your plan.
- Stay aware of strainers, low branches, and changing conditions. Note a landmark so you can describe your location if you need help.
- If you fall in: stay calm, feet downstream, use your arms to ferry across the current, and let your PFD do its job.
- Alcohol, drugs, and the river don't mix. No glass in the parks or on the water.
Float at your own risk. This site is a planning companion and links to official resources.
On the Water
A mile-by-mile look at the route, from the put-in at Barber Park to the take-out at Ann Morrison. See every rapid, bridge, and rest stop on the interactive float map.
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MI 0
Launch at Barber Park
Put in at the launch area, get everyone settled, and let the current do the work. If you're renting, gear and life vests are handled right here before you get on the water.
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MI 0–3
The quiet upper stretch — and all three rapids
The first half is the most natural: tree-lined banks, side channels, and wildlife. It's also where all three of the route's small Class II rapids are — stay seated, keep feet and legs up facing downstream, and follow the main channel through each one.
Two floater rest stops sit in this stretch: one on the left across from Warm Springs Golf Course just before the Baybrook Bridge, and another on the right just after it.
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MI 3–5
Downtown: six bridges and the university
The river turns urban — you'll drift under six bridges with Boise State University on your left and Julia Davis Park on your right. Slower water and more floaters as you near downtown.
The final rest area of the float is at Julia Davis Park, on the right side of the river — last restroom before the take-out.
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MI 6
Take out at Ann Morrison Park
Watch for the marked take-out at Ann Morrison Park and start working toward the bank early — it's easier to exit with the current than against it. From here it's the shuttle or your second car back to Barber Park.
Need to get off early? The Greenbelt path follows the river for the whole float — if someone's cold or tired, exit at a rest stop or public park and walk out. Note your nearest landmark so your group (or help) can find you.
After the Float
The take-out at Ann Morrison Park is a short walk from some of Boise's best patios. Dry off, then keep the day going.
Payette Brewing
Big riverside taproom right on the Greenbelt at 733 S. Pioneer St. — the classic post-float stop, with a patio made for wet swimsuits.
Directions →Lost Grove Brewing
Neighborhood brewery in the Lusk District at 1026 S. La Pointe St., just east of the park — relaxed, dog-friendly, and easy to reach on foot.
Directions →Feature Your Spot
Restaurant, bar, or shop near the float route? Get featured where thousands of floaters end their day.
Get featuredSome featured spots may be paid placements. Hours and offerings change — check before you go.
Common Questions
Quick answers to the things floaters ask most.
When is float season?
Typically mid-June through Labor Day, seven days a week — but opening and closing dates depend on weather and water conditions. Always confirm the season is open at floattheboise.org before you go.
How long does the float take?
About 2–3 hours on the water for the ~6-mile run from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park, depending on flow. Budget a full afternoon once you add parking, setup, and the shuttle back.
How much is parking?
$7 per day at Barber Park (plus a 50¢ fee for card payments). There's no re-entry to the fee lot without paying again, so use the drop-off area when you come back for gear or people after your float.
How much does a float day cost?
Bring your own tube and the only fixed costs are $7 parking at Barber Park and the $4-per-person shuttle back (skip it with a second car). Renting at Barber Park: tubes $18, double tubes $40, 2-person kayaks $50, and rafts $75–$85 (paddles and life vests included with rafts and kayaks) — rafts and kayaks are $10 off on Wednesdays. Prices are from the 2025 season, plus tax — check current pricing before you go.
How do I get back to my car?
A paid shuttle bus runs between Ann Morrison Park and Barber Park during the float season. Groups with two cars often leave one near Ann Morrison before driving to the put-in. Check current shuttle details before you go.
Can I bring my own tube?
Yes — but arrive with it already inflated. The air stations at Barber Park have been removed. Heavy-duty river tubes hold up much better than pool floats on this rocky section.
Can kids float?
Yes, with precautions. Idaho law requires children 14 and under to wear an approved life jacket on rafts, kayaks, and canoes, and Ada County advises against bringing infants or small children under 50 lbs on the river. Everyone in your group should know how to swim.
What's not allowed?
Glass containers are prohibited in the parks and on the river. Ada County's guidance is simple: alcohol, drugs, and the river don't mix. Pack out everything you bring — leave the river cleaner than you found it.
Is the water cold?
Yes — the river runs cool all summer. That's most of the appeal on a 95° day, but it also means you should get off the water if you start feeling cold, especially with kids along.
Have a question we didn't cover? The official Floater FAQ has more.