Floating the Boise River is one of the more popular summertime activities in the valley, and it returned last week.
Ada County Parks & Waterways estimates that every summer, 125,000 people float the Boise River. Each year on opening weekend, several people have to be rescued, and while there are some things you can’t control, there are plenty of mistakes that are easy to avoid.
This video (and especially the parking situation) is a great example of why I recommend starting your float downstream of Barber Park, if you can find a safe spot. (Ada County Parks & Waterways)
🍩 Use Real Gear
Our glorified canal has her share of puncture hazards. The cute donut floatie from Albertsons isn’t going to stand a chance on sharp rocks and branches from nearby trees.
Gear also includes at least one dry bag per group for phones, keys, and any other valuables that you can't leave in the car.
💸 Rent Gear
You can rent or buy gear day-of at Barber Park. You can also park at Barber for $7 and take the shuttle from Ann Morrison for $4. Boise River Raft and Tube offers gear rentals at Barber Park at $18 for a single tube for three hours, and rafts that seat up to six people.
🚯 Pack It Out, Pack It In
Don’t make someone else have to be your mom. And if you think to, bring an extra bag specifically for trash, because bins at every park along the route will fill up quickly.
⬆️ Follow the Leader
Especially in the three or four whitewater sections, follow the closest raft that is still upright. In particular, avoid the banks — a lot of the fatalities on the river come from getting trapped under branches underwater.
💧 Drink Appropriately
Drinking alcohol on the water is actually illegal, and for good reason. It’s very easy to get dehydrated on the water, so a go-to solution is hooking reusable water bottles with carabiners to your raft or tube.
