Overview
Paddle your way through some of the toughest whitewater rafting in Idaho. Meet us at the Cascade Raft River Center to check in for your trip, meet your guides, and get fitted for the necessary equipment. We'll take care of the logistics from here: a quick bus ride to the launch point, safety briefing, and guided whitewater rafting. Blast through class IV rapids like Bronco Billy, Staircase, and Slalom. Be ready to paddle hard and work together with your crew and raft guide to negotiate crashing waves and technical boulder gardens. A thirst for adventure and physical fitness are a must for this rollicking adventure.
Highlights
- Half-day trip -- 3 hours, 8 miles, class III-IV whitewater
- Meeting Place: Cascade Raft River Center
- Put in: Confluence Launch Site
- Take out: Banks Boat Ramp
- Physical fitness required
- Minimum age 12; minimum weight 100 lbs
Location
Cascade Raft River Center
What to Bring
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.
Wetsuits, neoprene booties, and splash gear is provided with your trip as weather and water conditions require.
Includes
- Coastguard-approved PFD
- Helmet
- Paddle
- Top of the line self-bailing raft
- Fun and professional guide
- Insulation and splash gear if weather/water conditions require
Excludes
Items you might want to have with you that are not included with the trip:
- water
- sunscreen
- eye glass retainer
- gratuity for your guide
Itinerary
Meet us at the Cascade Raft River Center (7050 Highway 55, Horseshoe Bend, ID 83629) to check in. Trips depart at 9:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 5:00 PM 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 toward Garden Valley to the Confluence Launch Site. After gearing up and a short safety briefing, you'll hit the river and start downstream toward rapids like Bronco Billy, Dog Leg, Tight 'n Right, Staircase and Slalom. Between the rapids there's time to swim, float, relax and enjoy the scenery.
Time on the water varies with the river levels, but in the main part of summer the float is 2 to 2.5 hours in the raft. The take-out point is at Banks where your shuttle vehicle will meet you to return you to the Cascade Raft River Center. You are welcome to leave a towel or dry shirt or shoes on the bus, but it's only an 8 mile 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.