Float the Boise River

Just one more day! The official 2026 Float the Boise season opens tomorrow, Saturday, June 20, and we can't wait to welcome floaters back to the Boise River.

Before you head out tomorrow, take a few minutes to plan ahead:

🛟 Wear a life jacket (required for children 14 and under)
🚍 Shuttle service will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. this weekend
🚗 Make a parking plan - parking at Barber Park fills up quickly
🚫 Never tie rafts or tubes together
🗑️ Pack out what you pack in

Stay alert, recreate responsibly, and make safety your top priority. Visit floattheboise.org for everything you need to know before you go.

See you tomorrow!

The wait is over! Float the Boise is back for 2026.

Ada County Parks & Waterways, Boise Parks and Recreation and Boise Fire Department are excited to announce that the official 2026 Boise River float season begins Saturday, June 20.

After weeks of monitoring river conditions and preparing the float route, crews are wrapping up final safety and hazard mitigation efforts in anticipation of opening weekend. Rentals and shuttle service will begin regular operations on Saturday.

Before you hit the water:
🛟 Wear a life jacket (required for children 14 and under)
🚫 Never tie rafts or tubes together
🛶 Bring a paddle to help navigate obstacles
🗑️ Pack out what you pack in

Remember, the Boise River is a natural waterway with changing conditions and inherent risks. Make safety your top priority and help keep this summer tradition safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Ready to float? Visit floattheboise.org for river conditions, shuttle information, rentals, maps, and safety resources.

☀️ Be Safe. Have Fun. Float the Boise.

☀️ We know it's hot and cooling off in the water sounds inviting. But it's still not time to Float the Boise.

While we're getting closer to the official start of the 2026 float season, the float route from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park has not yet been cleared for recreational floating. Boise Fire dive crews are currently completing hazard mitigation and safety preparations along the river corridor.

The Boise River remains a dynamic natural waterway, and conditions can change quickly. Even with mitigation efforts, hazards may still exist along the float path.

Please be patient as our partners work to complete this important safety work. We'll share updates as soon as preparations are finished and an official opening announcement is made.

🚫 Float season is not open yet.
🚫 The float route is not cleared.
✅ Stay tuned for updates.

Visit floattheboise.org for condition reports and official updates.

⚠️ REMINDER: The Boise River is NOT clear for floating right now.

The official Float the Boise season has not opened, and river flows remain above 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) - well above typical float season levels. Fast-moving water, strong currents, cold temperatures, and hidden hazards create dangerous conditions, even for experienced recreators.

Our partners continue to monitor river conditions and prepare the float route, but the Boise River remains a wild waterway with significant hazards. Please stay out of the river until and conditions improve and the official season opens.

Patiently waiting for the official float season to start...

Boise River flows remain high, and the Boise Fire Department has not yet completed necessary hazard mitigation along the six-mile float route from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park. Please remember that floating the Boise River is always an "at your own risk" activity. Safety is our top priority!

You can check river conditions and more on the Float the Boise website:

Current Conditions Boise RiverCurrent Conditions Know Before You Go: Be Aware of River Conditions During a typical Boise River Float Season, flows range between 500-1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). Higher river flows increase the risk associated with floating and require more advanced planning and active paddling to...

According to water managers at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boise River flows are increasing to 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) today, May 27. Please continue to use caution and stay off the river as flows fluctuate. The Boise Fire Department still needs to mitigate downed trees, limbs and other hazards along the six-mile float stretch from Barber Park to Ann Morrison Park. If you are looking for ways to stay cool in the coming says, Boise park splash pads and interactive fountains are on for the season and outdoor municipal pools open at 1 p.m. today.

As always, safety is this partnership's top priority on the Boise River. Floating is always an "at your own risk" activity. Learn more at floattheboise.org and stay safe, Boise!

The Boise River is running high, fast and cold. Please use caution and wait for an official float season announcement from Float the Boise partners.

The Boise Fire Dive Team completed the first swift water rescue of the season along the Boise River on Memorial Day. A person fell off a paddleboard near the Baybrook Court Bridge and was hanging onto a tree. Crews were able to safely reach her and help her to shore. Meanwhile, first responders were also able to safely locate another person from the same party on the banks of the river. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the incident is a good reminder that the Boise River is running high, fast, and cold and conditions are not yet suitable for the start of the official float season.

Memorial Day is fast approaching and Float the Boise partner agencies are reminding residents and visitors that the official float season is not yet open on the Boise River. Fluctuating river flows and dynamic conditions commonly occur in late-Spring due to ongoing snowmelt in the mountains, water management efforts and irrigation demands. Additionally, the Boise Fire Department cannot yet begin to complete necessary hazard mitigation work to clear trees and debris to address safety concerns along the designated novice floater segment between Barber Park and Ann Morrison Park. Please remember, the Boise River is always a “float-at-your-own-risk” activity.

Alternatives this weekend include visiting Lucky Peak or the swimming ponds at Esther Simplot Park. Always remember, no life guards are on duty and life jackets should be worn when recreating in the water. Meanwhile, Boise park splash pads and interactive fountains will be turned on for this weekend (and are free!) and Boise outdoor municipal pools open Wednesday, May 27.

Float the Boise is managed through a partnership between Ada County Parks & Waterways, Boise Parks and Recreation and the Boise Fire Department.

May 8, 2026 Update: Please wait to float!🛟

It's important to remember the Boise River is always a “float-at-your-own-risk” activity, and it is never deemed completely safe to float. Your safety is your responsibility. As summer approaches and the weather warms up, river conditions and float season updates will be communicated by the official Float the Boise partnership (a collaboration between Ada County Parks & Waterways, Boise Fire Department, and Boise Parks and Recreation). The Float the Boise partnership officially opens the raft and tube season from Barber Park to Ann Morrison when Boise River flows drop and outdoor temperatures are appropriate. Additionally, the official season starts once Boise Fire has completed tree and hazard mitigation efforts along the river. Those factors and conditions typically align in mid to late June.

While we understand people may be tempted to float the river early because of water levels, please know that emergency officials and Float the Boise partner agencies do not recommend floating or rafting on the river at this time, especially inexperienced rafters and tubers. Conditions can change quickly, and the water is fast-moving and cold. Boise Fire also does not yet have the approval needed to complete mitigation on the river. Please visit floattheboise.org for official updates, safety information and to review our Frequently Asked Questions and answer page.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is beginning flood risk management operations this week along the Boise River. Flows are expected to increase to a target of 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on the Boise River on Wednesday, April 15 and to a target of 1,500 cfs on Thursday, April 16. The water is moving fast and is very cold. As a reminder, the official float season doesn’t typically start until late June following assessment and clean-up operations led by the Boise Fire Department and Float the Boise partners. River conditions are posted on the Float the Boise website here: https://www.floattheboise.org/pages/current-conditions

Thank you for your patience and stay tuned for updates as summer approaches!