About Bear Valley Rafting

Bear Valley River Company ( Bear Valley Rafting ) is the ideal place to fulfill your dreams of a true Idaho whitewater river rafting experience. Bear Valley Rafting is a small town raft company with an unbelievable staff, who love to come to work each day. We pride ourselves on having some of the most experienced guides on the Payette River. Bear Valley Rafting guides are licensed through the Idaho Guides and License Board, First-Aid/CPR certified, and most have taken it upon themselves to be Swiftwater Certified through Sierra Rescue/Rescue 3 International. 

Our staff goes through an extensive training program every spring to practice their skills, regardless of their past experience levels. Our guides will show you their passion for whitewater rafting the Payette River through the fun and enthusiasm they bring to their work, but more than anything, through their experience and safety.

Located in beautiful Banks, Idaho at the confluence of the North Fork and the South Fork of the Payette River, we are only 45 minutes from Boise, Idaho!

Bear Valley Rafting is licensed and bonded through the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board and operates under a special use permit through the USDA National Forest Service.

Welcome to Bear Valley Rafting, the best whitewater rafting company in Idaho. I’m so glad you’re here! Let me tell you a little bit about my whitewater rafting journey.  

As soon as I had my first dose of white water, I was hooked! Soon after, I began my career at Bear Valley Rafting. I had somehow landed in the Center of the Universe, as far as white water goes, and was hired on as a safety kayaker. During that first season, I honed my skills, and by mid-season was training to also become a raft guide. The following season, I was hired on as a raft guide/safety kayaker, and the rest is history - I couldn’t stay away, and ended up returning every season. 

After a couple of seasons, an opportunity presented itself in management, and I soon found myself running Bear Valley Rafting. I then decided it was time to take the next step, and I now own and operate Bear Valley Rafting. Never in a million years did I think I would be running a raft company as my career path, but I count myself lucky and wouldn’t change a thing about it! 

I’m so excited to share my passion for rafting with you! Come join me and my team for a Payette River adventure you'll never forget.

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