Plunge: South Fork Canyon Full-Day River Adventure

Be prepared to get wet! Suggested apparel includes quick-drying clothing (swimwear, board shorts, rash guard, etc), shoes that will stay on your feet (water shoes, river sandals, or an old pair of tennis shoes). If you wear glasses or sunglasses, be sure to have a strap to hold them on.  We sell Chums retainers in our gift shop.

You are welcome to bring a bottle of water and sunscreen as well as anything else you need to have along with you.  Keep in mind that anything you take is likely to get wet. Keep it simple is our advice.  We have waterproof phone cases and small drybags for sale in our gift shop. Anything you don't need until after your trip can be stored in your vehicle or the complimentary lockers at the River Center. A towel or change of clothes can be left in your shuttle vehicle which will be waiting for you at the take out point.

Wetsuits, neoprene booties, and splash gear is provided with your trip as weather and water conditions require.

• Coastguard-approved PFD
• Helmet
• Paddle
• Top of the line self-bailing raft
• Fun and professional guide
• Lunch on the river
• Insulation and splash gear if weather/water conditions require

Items you might want to have with you that are not included with the trip:

• water
• sunscreen
• eye glass retainer
• gratuity for your guide

Meet us at the Cascade Raft River Center (7050 Highway 55, Horseshoe Bend, ID 83629) to check in. This trip departs at 8:30 AM, and this is the time we'll be jumping on the bus and heading to the launch point, so please check in at least 15 minutes prior to the departure time. The shuttle will take you through Garden Valley to the Deadwood Campground which is our launch point. After gearing up and a short safety briefing, you'll hit the river and start downstream toward rapids like Oxbow, Hardhat, Gateway and S-Turn. If time permits, we'll take a quick stop at the Pine Flats Hotsprings.

After S-Turn, we'll disembark from the raft to portage it around Big Falls. We'll need your help to carry the raft a short way and then you'll hike up and around the falls before descending the bank to meet your raft. The trail is not long, but the footing can be uneven. Following Big Falls, you'll challenge rapids like Upper and Lower Blackadar before we stop for a riverside lunch. The action continues after our break with more class IV whitewater!Tackle Lone Pine, Little Falls and Surprise before we reach the end of our 13-mile river journey.

Time on the water varies with the river levels, but in the main part of summer we'll reach the take out point at the Danskin Boat Ramp around 3:30 PM. Your shuttle vehicle will meet you there to return you to the Cascade Raft River Center. You are welcome to leave a towel or dry shirt or shoes on the bus. It's about a 30 minute drive back to the River Center where you can change clothes, view action photos from the trip, browse the gift shop, or grab snacks and beverages from the Rio Cafe.

Cascade Raft & Kayak is located at 7050 Highway 55, Horseshoe Bend, Idaho about one hour  from downtown Boise. Our River Center is easily visible on the west (river-side) of the highway half way between mile markers 70 and 71. The River Center is a tan building with a blue roof where the highway widens to 4 lanes. It is approximately 5 miles north of the town of Horseshoe Bend and approximately 8 miles south of the town of Banks.

Driving time from Boise: about 1 hour
Driving time from McCall: about 1.5 hours

For our class IV whitewater trips, all participants must be at least 12 years old and 100 lbs or more.

While we do not specify a maximum age or weight, these trips are more strenuous and a certain level of physical fitness is required. All rafters must contribute to paddling and be able to participate in self-rescue, given the possibility of falling out of the raft.  

If you have questions or concerns about your ability to participate, please view our Essential Eligibility Criteria or reach out to our friendly reservations staff. We would love to provide additional details.  208.793.2221

The full day South Fork Canyon includes a portage around Big Falls. Participants should expect to assist with carrying the raft and hiking the portage trail which has uneven footing and steep sections.

Full payment is required to reserve your spaces.  For cancellations made ten or more days before your trip, receive a full refund.  For cancellations made three to nine days before your trip, receive a 50% refund or 100% Cascade credit.  Cancellations made within 48 hours of the trip are non-refundable. This policy is applicable to each member of your party. Please call for our group reservations policy.