Boise River is opening to floaters earlier than usual. Here’s when you can hop in
The Boise River float season is kicking off about a week earlier than typical this year as summer quickly returns to the Treasure Valley.
Boise Parks and Recreation, Ada County Parks & Waterways and Boise Fire announced that the 2025 float season will begin June 20 — this Friday. In recent years, float season has typically started around June 27-29.
“It doesn’t quite feel like summer in the Treasure Valley until the official float season starts on the Boise River,” Scott Koberg, director of Ada County Parks & Waterways, said in a news release. “With huge increases in visitation over the past five years, we appreciate the hard work of all agency partners and staff (who) help make this summer pastime possible.”
Over 125,000 people float down the Boise River every year, according to Parks & Waterways.
The float season opens earlier than usual after Boise Fire Dive Team members wrapped up initial mitigation measures of major hazards along the six-mile stretch of river used for floating.
Local officials also remain in touch with the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which regulate local reservoirs to control the water flow along major rivers in Southwest Idaho, including the Boise River.
The Boise River is holding at a steady flow of 1,275 cubic feet per second, according to Parks & Waterways, which is near the upper end of the typical range for float season. Flows are expected to decrease further over the next week, according to the news release.
For comparison, low-lying flooding doesn’t happen along the Boise River until water flow is at about 4,000 cfs.
“We’re proud to work closely with our partners to prepare the river and remove as many known hazards as possible,” Boise Fire Assistant Chief Brad Bolen said in the release. “It’s important to remember the Boise River is a wild natural waterway — it can never be considered completely safe. We urge everyone to wear a life jacket, stay alert, and make smart choices while out on the water.”
Although float season begins earlier than usual, the opening weekend may be a bit chillier than floaters would like.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Boise will reach as high as 93 degrees on Wednesday. However, the high temperature is expected to drop to 82 degrees by opening day Friday and 68 degrees on Saturday, with a 30% chance of rain.
Fortunately, the rain should quickly clear out, and the sun return by the end of the weekend, with Monday’s high temperature forecast of 79 degrees.
How to float the Boise River
Floaters begin their journey down the Boise River at Barber Park, which is located about six miles southeast of downtown Boise on Eckert Road, between Warm Springs and Boise avenues.
The six-mile stretch of river permitted for floating takes floaters to Ann Morrison Park in two to three hours. A shuttle is available for $4 to take floaters to Barber Park, departing Ann Morrison every 20-30 minutes from noon to 9 p.m. Parking at Barber Park costs $7 per day.
Rafts, kayaks and tubes are permitted on the river and can be rented at Barber Park. Prices can be found on Boise River Raft and Tube’s website, with tubes beginning at $18 and two-person rafts at $50.
Officials also urge everyone who floats the river to wear a life jacket — Idaho state law requires all individuals 14 and younger to wear a life jacket while on a body of water. Life jackets are provided for free at Barber Park.
