Float the Boise River

It's finally the weekend and there's still time to Float the Boise this season. Floater services are now open for the weekend, so make your plan and we'll see you on the river!

⚠ Float the Boise Safety Reminders:
• Wear a life jacket and use paddles
• Alcohol is not allowed on the Boise River
• Check weather forecasts and bring appropriate gear for cooler temps
• Do not use rope swings along the river

Check floattheboise.org before you head out for current hours, river conditions and everything you need to plan your float. Have a safe and fun weekend on the Boise River💧

It’s Friday, and the Boise River is calling!💧

Float the Boise services are open and ready for the weekend, so grab your crew, pack your sunscreen and get ready to hit the river.

Know Before You Go:
-Rentals are available at Barber Park through vendor Boise River Raft & Tube
-Shuttle service is running from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
-Parking can fill quickly on weekends, arrive early
-Wear a life jacket and keep safety top of mind
-Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated
-Pack out what you pack in

Check floattheboise.org before you head out for current hours, river conditions and everything you need to plan your float. Have a safe and fun weekend on the Boise River!

As the summer season winds down, the Float the Boise service schedule is changing. Equipment rentals at Barber Park and shuttle bus services are closed during weekdays. Additionally, fee parking at Barber Park is only in effect Friday-Sunday. Please keep these important dates in mind if you're planning a float in the coming weeks:
🔴Services closed August 17-20
🟢Fee parking and services open August 21-23
🔴Services closed August 24-27
🟢Fee parking and services open August 28-30
🔴Services closed August 31-September 3
🟢Fee parking and services open September 4-7

The last day of the official float season is Monday, September 7 (Labor Day). All floater services are closed for the season starting Tuesday, September 8.

Visit floattheboise.org for additional safety information before you hit the river!

The sun is out, the wildfire smoke has cleared and it’s a beautiful day to float the Boise River! Please plan ahead and pack your patience as it’s expected to be busy with floaters looking to park their vehicles in both Barber Park and Ann Morrison Park. Remember to always park in designated areas and be respectful of other users and surrounding neighborhoods. Do not park in clearly marked “no parking” zones along Eckert Road outside Barber Park or you could be ticketed or towed.

Shuttles from Ann Morrison Park up to the put-in at Barber Park are running every 20-30 minutes throughout the day. With river flows under 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) plan for up to three hours on the water depending on your vessel and number of stops (bring plenty of water and sunscreen!). Life jackets are available to rent in Barber Park or you can borrow a free one at the put-in. For more information and to plan your float, visit floattheboise.org 💧☀️ 🛟

Be safe. Have fun.

Know before you go! Visit floattheboise.org to plan your six-mile float from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park. Shuttle services and gear rentals coordinated by vendor Boise River Raft & Tube continue on their regular schedules through Sunday, August, 16. Then, operations will be closed weekdays starting Monday, August 17 through Thursday with operations resuming on Fridays until the end of the official Float the Boise season (Labor Day).

Visit the Parking & Rentals webpage to view the full end of season schedule: https://www.floattheboise.org/pages/parking-rental

Be safe. Have fun.

Shuttles and rentals in Barber Park are expected to remain on schedule throughout the weekend, but please be aware of the current Heat Advisory and Air Quality Advisory in effect for Boise and Ada County due to triple-digit temperatures and wildfire smoke. Float the Boise partners continue to remind anyone planning to spend time outdoors to check the real-time air monitoring map maintained by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality: https://airqualitymobile.deq.idaho.gov/

Floating the Boise River is always at your own risk. Please be safe and know your limits. The six-mile float trip from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park can take up to three hours at current low flows. Visit floattheboise.org for more information on current conditions.

You've still got time to float the Boise River before rental and shuttle services end on Labor Day! Visit floattheboise.org to plan your six-mile float trip from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park.

We continue to recommend that floaters check air quality reports from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality before they hit the water. Here is a link to the real-time air monitoring map: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map

July 31, 2026 Weekend Update:

Thinking about floating the Boise River this weekend? Shuttles and gear rentals in Barber Park coordinated by vendor Boise River Raft & Tube are expected to continue as scheduled. Please plan ahead and check the AQI before you float via the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. A map is available here: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map

Always be safe and take extra precautions if you plan to hit the water when wildfire smoke is present in the Treasure Valley. The Boise River continues to flow around 650 cubic feet per second, which is a low flow for this point in the season. Plan for two to three hours on the water depending on your raft or tube and if you will be making any stops along the six-mile route from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park. Thank you for wearing a life jacket and packing out all trash to keep our river clean. As always, visit floattheboise.org for more information to plan a safe and fun trip down the Boise River.

Photo: Smoky skies over Downtown Boise

⚠️ Air Quality Advisory ⚠️

Wildfire smoke continues to degrade air quality in Boise and surrounding areas. Please be safe and know your limits if you plan to float the river this week. Everyone is encouraged to check air quality before hitting the water, and plan ahead for a two-to-three-hour float based on current low flows (approx. 660 cubic feet per second). You can check real-time air monitoring reports online from Idaho Department of Environmental Quality: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map

Meanwhile, gear rentals in Barber Park remain available from Boise River Raft & Tube and shuttles are running on schedule. For more information on floater services, please visit floattheboise.org. As a reminder, floating the Boise River is always an “at your own risk” activity.

Photo: A view of the Capitol Boulevard Bridge and smoky skies over the Boise River on Tuesday, July 28

Monday, July 27 — 5:15 p.m. Update:
The downed tree has been cleared and floaters are welcome to enter the river now. Thank you to the emergency crews who mitigated this hazard safely and efficiently! As always, the Boise River is a wild, scenic river with hazards that can change any time. Always use caution when recreating on or near the river.

Monday, July 27 — 4 p.m. Update & Photo Added:
Emergency response crews are directing floaters around the downed tree while working to remove it from the north side of the Boise River Greenbelt. Floating near this work is risky and should be avoided at this time.

Original Post:
Emergency crews are currently responding to a large tree that has fallen across the Boise River near Julia Davis Park. The tree is obstructing the waterway, making it unsafe and impassable for anyone attempting to float the river at this time.

Boise Fire Department and Boise Community Forestry crews are on scene actively working to remove the downed tree and clear the obstruction.

For public safety, people are strongly urged to postpone starting their float and stay out of the area while crews work to clear the tree.