Guide

Floating the Boise River with Kids

The rules, the rapids, and the bailout plan — a parent's guide.

Should you bring the kids?

Thousands of Boise families float every summer, and the river is generally calm — but it's a real river with three Class II rapids, not a lazy river at a water park. It's a good fit for kids who weigh 50 lbs or more and can swim. Ada County advises against bringing infants or small children under 50 lbs, and every kid 14 and under must wear a life jacket on rafts and kayaks — that's Idaho law, not a suggestion.

The three rules that apply to kids

Fit matters: a life jacket should be snug enough that it can't slide up over the chin when you tug the shoulders.

Rent a raft, not tubes

For families, one raft beats a flotilla of separate tubes: everyone stays together through the rapids, an adult can hold onto a nervous kid, and there's a dry-ish spot for the snack bag. Rentals at the Barber Park put-in include paddles and life vests — a 4-person raft is $75 and a 6-person is $85 (2025 prices, plus tax; $10 off on Wednesdays). If your crew is older and confident, a double tube ($40) lets a parent pair up with a kid.

The rapids, with kids aboard

All three rapids come in the first half of the float — and helpfully, the biggest one comes first. Bubb Dam, about 20 minutes in, is a 2–3 ft drop over a diversion dam. Seat kids in the middle of the raft, have everyone hold the grab line, and take it straight down the middle. Rock Garden (a splashy rocky stretch about a mile later) and Mesa Dam (a smaller 1–2 ft drop a half mile after that) are easier. If Bubb Dam went fine, the hard part of the day is already over — the entire second half is calm.

Teach kids the swimmer's position before you launch, as a game: on your back, feet pointed downstream, let the life jacket float you. See exactly where each rapid is on the float map.

Cold is the real challenge

The river runs cold all summer — that's the appeal on a 95° day, but small bodies lose heat much faster than adults. A kid who's shivering, quiet, or has blue lips is done for the day, even if they say they're fine. Pack a towel and dry clothes for the take-out, and get off the water at a rest stop if anyone's cold. Going in the warm part of the afternoon helps.

Your bailout plan

You don't have to finish. The Greenbelt path follows the river the whole way, and there are three signed floater rest areas with restrooms: one on the left bank just before Baybrook Bridge (around mile 3), one on the right bank just after it, and the last in Julia Davis Park on the right, past Friendship Bridge. Exit at any of them and walk out. If you need help, the bridges make good landmarks for telling 911 where you are — there are seven, and they're all named on the map.

The take-out, with a crew

The exit is on the left bank at Ann Morrison Park. With kids aboard, start moving left early — once you pass under Capitol Blvd, get everyone paddling toward the left side so you're not scrambling at the ramp. Don't drift past it: there's a dam floaters can't pass a quarter mile downstream. The $4 shuttle back to Barber Park runs noon–9 p.m. (hourly weekdays, every 20 minutes on weekends) — note that your raft or tubes must be deflated to ride the bus.

Parent's checklist

  • ✓Life jacket per kid, snug fit (free loaners at put-in)
  • ✓Covered water shoes for everyone
  • ✓Sunscreen, hats, and water
  • ✓Snacks — no glass containers
  • ✓Towels & dry clothes waiting at the take-out
  • ✓Dry bag for phone and keys
  • ✓Swimmer's position practiced (feet downstream)
  • ✓Ride home sorted: $4 shuttle (gear deflated) or second car
Check today's conditions Open the float map First-timer's guide

Facts — the life jacket law, the under-50-lbs advisory, rapid names and drops, prices, and shuttle details — are from the Ada County Float the Boise River Guide (2025), floattheboise.org, and Ada County Parks & Waterways. Unofficial guide — conditions change, verify before you go. Floating is always at your own risk, and your kids are your call.