Family whitewater rafting in Idaho
The Ultimate Family Adventure: The Main Payette River Trip
Bring the Whole Family for an Experience That’s Anything but Ordinary
Safety Meets Family Fun
Bear Valley Rafting has been taking people down the Payette River in Idaho for over 30 years. Our staff goes through an extensive training program every spring to practice their skills, regardless of their experience levels. 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 and Rescue 3 International.
Bear Valley Rafting has half-day and full-day trips down the Payette River on Class II & III rapids, ideally suited for families with kids age 4 and up. Our rafts typically accommodate 6–8 people per raft, so plenty of room for the whole family.
Select Half-Day or Full-Day Trips, or Call 208.793.2272 for More Info
Half-Day Rafting Trips
We offer two half-day Payette River Rafting trips down either the Main or South Fork of the Payette river. Come enjoy the beautiful scenery on Idaho’s most popular whitewater run.
Full-Day Rafting Trips
We offer two full-day Payette River Rafting trips down either the Canyon-South fork or Cabarton-North fork. All of our full-day trips include lunch prepared by your guide!
Full-Day Cabarton – North Fork Payette (ages 4+)
The Family Reunion Activity They'll Actually Want to Do
This summer, skip the usual reunion picnic and spend a day on the river instead. Whitewater rafting is one of the few activities the whole extended family can enjoy together. Give your family the unique and unforgettable experience of a family reunion whitewater rafting trip.
The best part? Our team at Bear Valley Rafting can help you put it all together. Book online or contact us between 7:00 am to 10:00 pm daily to help you plan your custom family trip. Give us a call or send us an email today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to go rafting?
On our family-friendly Class II/III trips, the half-day Main Payette raft trip and the full-day Cabarton North Fork Payette raft trip, we welcome kids as young as 4 years old. On our more adventurous Class III/IV trips, the half-day Staircase South Fork Payette raft trip and the full-day Canyon South Fork Payette raft trip, we require all participants be at least 12 years old.
How big are the rafts?
We have both 6-7 and 8-9 person rafts. On our family friendly Class II/III trips, the half-day Main Payette raft trip and the full-day Cabarton North Fork Payette raft trip, we use both sizes of rafts. On our more adventurous class III/IV trips, the half-day Staircase South Fork Payette raft trip and the full-day Canyon South Fork Payette raft trip, we only use our 6-7 person rafts. If your group is larger than the capacity of one boat, we’ll spilt you into as many boats as needed! Note: The total person count does not include your raft guide.
How much experience do you need?
On our family-friendly Class II/III trips, the half-day Main Payette raft trip and the full-day Cabarton North Fork Payette raft trip, we welcome participants of all experience levels, from beginner to expert. On our more adventurous Class III/IV trips, the half-day Staircase South Fork Payette raft trip and the Full-day Canyon South Fork Payette raft trip, we highly recommend participants have at least some previous rafting experience.
What’s the difference between Class III and Class IV whitewater?
Class III whitewater typically features large, splashy waves and some maneuvering around rocks to make sure the raft runs down the correct line. Class IV is considerably more technical, requiring careful navigation of multiple obstacles (rocks, river bends, hydraulic features), to find the perfect spot for the safest, best splash.
What should I wear?
Wear a swimsuit with quick-drying clothes over the top. You’ll also want secure footwear that can get wet, such as old sneakers, water shoes or sandals with a back strap. Skip the flip-flops. The river likes to eat them.
What you wear can vary depending on when you visit. Summer trips are typically warm and sunny, but the Payette River itself stays cold, so quick-drying layers are your best friend. For early and late-season trips, when air temperatures can be cooler, you may want an extra layer for before and after your trip. Bear Valley can also provide wetsuits, splash tops and neoprene booties when conditions call for additional protection from the cold.
You’ll want to bring a towel and a complete change of dry clothes to leave in the car for afterward. And while sunscreen is a must, remember that anything you bring onto the raft has the potential to get wet, so leave valuables and anything you don’t want to lose at home.
How many people can fit into the rafts?
Do you take photos?
Absolutely!! We take photos of all of our trips through some of the more exciting rapids. After you return, you can view and purchase photos at our site or also online.
Do I need to know how to swim?
We recommend having some swimming experience but it’s not required. On our more adventurous trips, there will be times where you will need to swim back to the boat, but all participants are required to wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) to help you float.
Are there any weight restrictions or physical requirements?
We don’t have specific weight restrictions as our personal flotation device options will accommodate people of any size. On our family-friendly Class II/III trips, the half-day Main Payette raft trip and the full-day Cabarton North Fork Payette raft trip, we can accommodate people of most physical abilities. Be aware that the river banks are rocky and uneven, so we recommend some level of comfort navigating such terrain. On our more adventurous Class III/IV trips, the half-day Staircase South Fork Payette raft trip and the full-day Canyon South Fork Payette raft trip, we do require participants be in good physical health and physical shape, as there is more technical paddling and terrain navigation required.
What training is required of your guide staff?
All guides are licensed through the Idaho Guides and License Board through the State of Idaho. A certain amount of training and First Aid/CPR is involved to obtain this license. Although not required, most Bear Valley guides also have Swiftwater Rescue training and more advanced First Aid training (EMT, WFR, Outdoor Emergency Care, etc.). This is a passion for all of our guides and staff. Many are world-class kayakers (check out our amazing kayak school!) and have years and years of whitewater experience.
