What are the age requirements for Payette River white water rafting?

On the Main Payette or North Fork Cabarton rafting trips, we can take children as young as 5 as long as they are comfortable with the water. For the full and half day South Fork trips (class III-IV), everyone must be at least 12 years old, at least 100 pounds, in good health and prepared to paddle.

For white water rafting on the Payette River, how many people fit in one raft?

We have rafts of several sizes. For our family-friendly trips on the Main Payette and Cabarton, we can take rafts that accommodate 6 to 9 paddlers in addition to the guide. For the more adventurous trips on the South Fork (full and half day), the rafts accommodate 6 paddlers in addition to the guide. These are general guidelines and are flexible depending on safety considerations such as the water levels and the total weight of the rafters. If you have any questions about how we will accommodate your specific group, please give us a call.

What should we wear for our Payette River white water rafting trip?

Clothes you don't mind getting wet – swimsuit, nylon shorts, t-shirt, and river sandals or tennis shoes you can get wet. Except in the heat of summer, it is best to avoid wearing cotton clothing. For trips with cold water or in cooler weather, we provide wetsuits and other insulating gear at no additional cost. We have changing rooms with lockers and rest rooms at our river center, so don't forget a change of clothes for after the trip.

What should we bring for our rafting trip on Idaho's Payette River?

It is usually wise to bring sunscreen and water, a hat, and perhaps a towel. If you plan to wear glasses or sunglasses, we recommend a strap to keep them on. We offer Chums glasses retainers as well as waterproof phone cases for sale in our gift shop. Anything you take with you is likely to get wet, so plan appropriately. We have free lockers at the River Center so you can stow anything you need to keep secure and dry. At no time can we take glass containers or alcohol on the river.

Do I have to help paddle the raft?

On the full and half day South Fork trips (class IV whitewater) everyone will need to paddle to safely maneuver the raft in the more difficult rapids. For the North Fork Cabarton and Main Payette trips, it is not necessary that everyone paddle. While the guide will need the assistance of most participants, those unable to paddle, such as younger children, are welcome to ride along or participate as they are able.

What if it is raining on the day of my whitewater rafting trip?

We run our trips, rain or shine. Showers are unusual during the Idaho summer and they are typically isolated and pass very quickly. For this reason, we do not make advance changes for weather to our scheduled departures. We will provide all the equipment necessary for your comfort on the water (wetsuits, splash jackets, etc). Hey, you are going to be getting wet anyway!

Payette River Rafting

Something for Everyone!

Whitewater Rafting on The Payette River in Idaho

Since 1985, Cascade Raft and Kayak has been offering the best in Idaho whitewater rafting trips. As Idaho’s favorite outfitter, we bring families and friends together, one splash and laugh at a time! We offer a wide variety of whitewater rafting trips, and you can trust that we will have a trip that will be perfect for you. Located just 45 minutes from Boise, Idaho, our facility overlooks the Main Payette River. After your raft trip, take a look at your action-packed set of photos, enjoy a snack from our café, and sip a microbrew on tap on our Bistro Deck. At Cascade Raft and Kayak, bring your spirit of adventure; we'll provide the rest.

Choose Your Whitewater Fun Level

The Payette River has something for everyone! If you're looking for something more "chill" with fun and splashy rapids for kids as young as 5, book the Main Payette or the Carbarton Stretch of the North Fork. If you want something more thrilling and everyone in your party is 12 or older, book the South Fork half-day or full-day trips with class III-IV rapids. Not sure which trip? Compare Main vs. South Fork

I WANT CHILL

I WANT THRILL

All Payette River Rafting Trip Options

Compare Our Payette River Rafting Trips

Five guided whitewater trips, one river system, every skill level. Families with kids as young as 5 love the splashy Class II–III fun on the Main Payette and Cabarton, while the South Fork serves up Idaho’s best Class III–IV whitewater for ages 12 and up. All trips run less than an hour north of Boise and include expert guides, gear, and everything you need on the water.

Trip	River Section	Rapids	Length	Ages	Price
Splash	Main Payette	Class II–III · family-friendly	Half day (~3 hrs)	Ages 5+	Adults $69 Kids (5–12) $52 Seniors $62
Escape (Cabarton)	North Fork Payette	Class II–III · scenic, warm water	Full day	Ages 5+	Adults $119 Kids (5–12) $89 Seniors $109
Rush	Lower South Fork	Class III–IV	Half day	12+ & over 100 lbs	$89
Plunge	South Fork Canyon	Class IV	Full day (~8 hrs)	12+ & over 100 lbs	$149
Super South Fork	South Fork extended	Class IV · biggest day	Extended full day	12+ & over 100 lbs	$275

Prices are per person. Not sure which trip fits your crew? See our Main vs. South Fork guide or call us at 208-453-7819.

Family whitewater rafting through splashy Class II-III rapids on the North Fork of the Payette River near Boise, Idaho

Class II-III "CHILL" Rafting

The Main Fork of the Payette River and Carbarton stretch of the North Fork offer the ideal rafting experience for anyone looking for a more relaxing experience with mild to moderate whitewater. These rafting trips are perfect for families with kids as young as 5 years old.
Is whitewater rafting safe? Everything first-timers should know.

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Rafters paddling through Class III-IV whitewater on the South Fork of the Payette River near Boise, Idaho

Class III-IV "Thrill" Rafting

For those looking for a more exciting experience, our trips on the South Fork of the Payette River are the perfect choice. Here we'll take kids as young as 12 years old, making this the ideal trip for adults and teens ready for adventure!

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STILL UNSURE WHICH TRIP IS RIGHT FOR YOU? DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE!

REVIEWS

Perfect experience!

“A perfect experience for my first time whitewater rafting. Every staff member we encountered was upbeat, positive, and absolutely hilarious. They made the experience so memorable. Dawson was our guide. He was knowledgeable and did a great job teaching us to navigate the river. My only regret is that we only booked a half day! We will be back & booking a full-day adventure next time. Thanks again to the crew!”

Courtney Delisle
"Fun Starts on the Bus!"

"We had the best time rafting! Our guide was so funny; he had quite the script of jokes up his sleeve. The fun literally started from the moment we got on the bus and didn't end until we climbed off the raft. This was my first experience whitewater rafting and all of their staff made me feel secure and safe. They did a great job educating us about water safety before we got on the raft. Such a great time!"

Robin
"Amazing Adventure from SLC"

"What an AMAZING experience. My boyfriend and I visited from SLC and can’t stop talking about how much fun this trip was. The whole crew was so fun but HIGHLY safety oriented. Our raft guide Oliver made sure our whole group was safe, even through some intense rapids. Highly recommend if you’re looking for an adventure!"

Abigail
"Highlight of the Visit"

"Highly recommend going white water rafting with Cascade Raft & Kayak! We are locals who booked a trip with friends who were visiting Idaho. This was the highlight of their visit and we are already planning another trip! Dawson was our guide. He is an incredible human and professional who made our experience even more enjoyable!"

Garrett
"Grandma & Granddaughter Approved"

"My grand daughter who is 8 and I had a blast. This experience is highly recommended from the both of us for anyone planning on visiting or live in the area. We had Patrick on our boat and he was very professional, had a lot of good information that he shared with us. He made sure my grand daughter felt safe and encouraged her to sit on the front of the raft like she was riding a buffalo. She had a blast and was smiling the whole time. Thank you for the great time that we will remember forever."

Stacey
"Scenic Thrills All Day Long"

"Shane was a great guide, loves what he does and is good for both vital instructions and a good story too. We did the Canyon All Day and highly recommend. Gorgeous scenic trip with bursts of adrenaline followed by serene moments. Was sad when it ended, will be back w this outfit. All personnel were friendly, funny and competent."

Richard
"Second Trip, Still Fabulous!"

"This was my second trip with Cascade Raft & Kayak and it was fabulous!! Not only was the half day plunge a blast but even the bus trip was fun! The guides were great and we especially enjoyed Phillip who kept us laughing most of the way down the river. The office staff was friendly and accommodating and the price was right! Can’t wait to hit the full day trip next summer!!"

Shelly
"Now an Annual Tradition"

"Our family group of 5 did the half day “rush” and had the absolute best time! Katie was our guide and was so much fun and taught us everything we needed to know to successful navigate the adventurous rapids. This was one of my favorite activities I’ve never done and cannot wait to make it an annual tradition with Cascade Raft & Kayak."

Stephanie
"Even the Scared Kids Loved It"

"We had a blast! Our guide Henry was amazing especially with my son who was really scared at first but ended up jumping out of the raft and swimming in the river with me a few times. Thanks for an unforgettable experience!"

Carissa
"Back for a Second Year"

"If you're looking for a great trip with great guides, Cascade Raft & Kayak is the place to go. This is my second year in a row doing the class 3 and 4 rapids and I have been impressed each time! Will be a repeat customer for years to come!"

Rhiannon
"First Thing I Schedule for Visitors"

"I’ve now done this full day adventure trip twice because I love it so much. When I had some friends visiting me from out of town it was the first thing I scheduled. What really makes it so good is the quality of the river guides. They’re so good at what they do; you feel safe while they create a super fun atmosphere for the trip. And the rapids are no joke."

Luke
"Best 40th Birthday Ever!"

"My sister and best friend and I did the South Fork Half Day trip (level 3 and 4 rapids) for our 40th birthday. It was an AWESOME way to celebrate! Our guide, Megan, did a FANTASTIC job guiding us, we couldn’t have been more pleased with our experience. Highly recommend!"

Janica

Payette River Group Rafting Adventures

Business meeting, wedding or reunion, family and friends, youth group, or employee party—let us create an event your crew will remember for years to come! Experience the thrill of whitewater and the joy of sharing it with others. Our fun and professional staff combined with the enjoyable outdoor atmosphere will offer your group of any size an unforgettable summer adventure.

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Rafting Near You — Areas We Serve

Wherever you're driving from, world-class Payette River whitewater is closer than you think. Pick your area for the right trips, drive times, and the closest meeting point:

Rafting near Boise — less than an hour North on Highway 55
Rafting near McCall & Cascade — the Cabarton run is your closest whitewater

Payette Whitewater Rafting FAQs

What are the age requirements for Payette River white water rafting?

On the Main Payette or North Fork Cabarton rafting trips, we can take children as young as 5 as long as they are comfortable with the water. For the full and half day South Fork trips (class III- IV), everyone must be at least 12 years old, at least 100 pounds, in good health and prepared to paddle.
For white water rafting on the Payette River, how many people fit in one raft?

We have rafts of several sizes. For our family-friendly trips on the Main Payette and Cabarton, we can take rafts that accommodate 6 to 9 paddlers in addition to the guide. For the more adventurous trips on the South Fork (full and half day), the rafts accommodate 6 paddlers in addition to the guide. These are general guidelines and are flexible depending on safety considerations such as the water levels and the total weight of the rafters. If you have any questions about how we will accommodate your specific group, please give us a call.
What should we wear for our Payette River white water rafting trip?

Clothes you don’t mind getting wet – swimsuit, nylon shorts, t-shirt, and river sandals or tennis shoes you can get wet. Except in the heat of summer, it is best to avoid wearing cotton clothing. For trips with cold water or in cooler weather, we provide wetsuits and other insulating gear at no additional cost. We have changing rooms with lockers and rest rooms at our river center, so don't forget a change of clothes for after the trip.
Check out our what to wear video here!
What should we bring for our rafting trip on Idaho’s Payette River?

It is usually wise to bring sunscreen and water, a hat, and perhaps a towel. If you plan to wear glasses or sunglasses, we recommend a strap to keep them on. We offer Chums glasses retainers as well as waterproof phone cases for sale in our gift shop. Anything you take with you is likely to get wet, so plan appropriately. We have free lockers at the River Center so you can stow anything you need to keep secure and dry. At no time can we take glass containers or alcohol on the river.
Do I have to help paddle the raft?

On the full and half day South Fork trips (class IV whitewater) everyone will need to paddle to safely maneuver the raft in the more difficult rapids. For the North Fork Cabarton and Main Payette trips, it is not necessary that everyone paddle. While the guide will need the assistance of most participants, those unable to paddle, such as younger children, are welcome to ride along or participate as they are able.
What if it is raining on the day of my whitewater rafting trip?

We run our trips, rain or shine. Showers are unusual during the Idaho summer and they are typically isolated and pass very quickly. For this reason, we do not make advance changes for weather to our scheduled departures. We will provide all the equipment necessary for your comfort on the water (wetsuits, splash jackets, etc). Hey, you are going to be getting wet anyway!