Family Whitewater Rafting in Idaho
Have a family reunion or get-together coming up? Want to spice it up with a fun day on Idaho's beautiful Payette River near Boise? Bear Valley Rafting can help!
Family Adventure
Plan your Idaho Whitewater Rafting Trip
Let's get rafting! Planning your whitewater rafting trip is easy with Bear Valley Rafting.
Whitewater rafting is easier and more fun than you think! At Bear Vallley Rafting, we handle all of the details, so you can relax and enjoy your exciting day on the river. Check out our FAQs to learn more about planning your trip or contact our office if you have any additional questions.
Helpful tips when planning a trip: Although booking in advance is recommended, weekday and morning trips, especially Tuesday-Thursday can often be booked last minute. Basically, if you want to raft, call us and we'll figure out a way to get you on the river as soon as possible.
What to expect the day of your whitewater rafting trip:
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled trip and check-in at our office located in our Coffee and Convenience cafe. Depending on the trip you booked, you'll spend around 2.5-3 hours (half-day trips) to 7-8 hours (full-day trips) on the river.
Helpful tips when planning a trip: Although booking in advance is recommended, weekday and morning trips, especially Tuesday-Thursday can often be booked last minute. Basically, if you want to raft, call us and we'll figure out a way to get you on the river as soon as possible.
What to expect the day of your whitewater rafting trip:
Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled trip and check-in at our office located in our Coffee and Convenience cafe. Depending on the trip you booked, you'll spend around 2.5-3 hours (half-day trips) to 7-8 hours (full-day trips) on the river.
Click! We take the pictures. You keep the memories!
Stay in the moment and keep your phone protected by letting us be the photographers. With expert knowledge of the whitewater routes, and years of experience capturing the best moments, we promise, Bear Valley Rafting's pictures do not dissappoint.
Purchase a Picture PackageFrequently Asked Questions
How far is whitewater rafting from Boise, Idaho?
The closest whitewater rafting to Boise is on the Payette River near Banks, Idaho, which is about 55 minutes north on Highway 55. Bear Valley Rafting and a handful of other outfitters run guided trips there, making whitewater rafting an easy half-day or full-day trip from anywhere in the Treasure Valley.
What should I bring in my car?
Bring everything you’ll want for before and after your trip, including a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen and anything else you may need for the rest of your day. You’ll want to leave anything that can’t get wet or could easily be lost behind when you head onto the river. Bear Valley recommends secure footwear that can get wet and quick-drying clothing rather than cotton.
How much does it cost to go whitewater rafting near Boise?
At Bear Valley Rafting, half-day Payette River trips start around $67 per adult, while full-day trips start around $119 per adult. Full-day trips include a riverside lunch prepared by your guide, so you get a full day on the river without having to worry about packing your own lunch.
The price of your Bear Valley trip includes your experienced guide, raft, paddle, personal flotation device and helmet. Depending on the season and weather conditions, Bear Valley may also provide additional cold-water gear such as wetsuits, splash tops and neoprene booties.
Where are you located, and is there parking available?
Bear Valley Rafting Co. is located off Highway 55 in Banks, Idaho just South of the intersection with the Banks-Loman Road. Parking is available for rafters and visitors to the Coffee + Convenience shop.
Is BVR Coffee + Convenience open year round?
No. Right now we are open during the summer only. Our hours are 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily during the rafting season (typically Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day. We’re open 7 days a week to serve rafters and travelers.
Is BVR Coffee + Convenience open to the public or just rafters?
Everyone is welcome! Our coffee shop is open to the public as well as whitewater rafters and kayakers. Whether you’re booked on trip with Bear Valley Rafting Co. or just passing through Banks, Idaho, stop by for a coffee, snack, ice cream and more!
Do I need reservations?
We do require reservations. With that said we try our hardest to accommodate late reservations and walk-ins. Call or email our office anytime and we will help get plan the best trip for your group.
How long are rafting trips?
Half-day whitewater rafting trips are approximately 8 miles in length and take about 3 hours from the time you arrive to the time you leave. Approximately, 1.5-2 hours of your time will be spent on the river. Full-day whitewater rafting trips are between 12-14 miles in length and take 6-7 hours from the time you arrive to the time you leave. Approximately 4 hours will be spent on the river, not including a stop for lunch.
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.
Can we go tubing on the Payette?
Unfortunately we do not offer tubing excursions or rentals, but whitewater rafting on the Payette is our favorite.
Your Perfect Day on the Payette River Starts Here
With half-day and full-day whitewater rafting trips for beginning and experienced rafters, plus kayak lessons for all skill levels, Bear Valley Rafting makes every day a good day for you and your group to be on the river.
Group Rafting Trips
If you've got a group – family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, clients, church groups, etc. – we've got a group rate. Check out how to plan the best group activity ever!
Take Your Group RaftingBusiness and Team Building
Have business clients in town to entertain, or you want to treat your employees to a unique team-building exercise, Bear Valley Rafting can help you plan a great day of business on the river.
Go Team Go... Rafting
Give the gift of fun, excitement and adventure with a gift card from Bear Valley Rafting
Recognizing high-performing employees goes a long way to keeping those employees fully engaged at work. While most people would appreciate a coffee gift card occasionally, why not mix things up and give the gift of an outdoor adventure? Bear Valley Rafting offers a range of gift certificates for half-day and full-day whitewater rafting trips and also kayak lessons.
Our cafe also houses our brand new check-in space.
Our cafe also houses our brand new check-in space.
Take advantage of the room to relax with your friends before your river adventure begins or shop our merch so everyone knows you've taken on the Payette and won.
Whatever you need it for, Coffee and Convenience offers the space and amenities you need to make your day on or by the river even more fun!
Check Out The Coffee & ConvenienceWhatever you need it for, Coffee and Convenience offers the space and amenities you need to make your day on or by the river even more fun!
Half-Day and Full-Day Whitewater Rafting Trips on the Payette River
Take on the iconic white water of the Payette River! With 4 total runs, Bear Valley Rafting keeps rafters coming back for more. Come enjoy the beautiful scenery on Idaho’s most popular whitewater run.
We offer whitewater rafting trips to accommodate everyone from the total novice to the seasoned veteran.
Call 208.793.2272
for more information
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.
Starting at: $67
Per Adult
Book a Half-Day Trip
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!
Starting at: $119
Per Adult
Book a Full-day Trip