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Payette River


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Payette River

The Payette River system is a great road trip destination for a multi-day camp out. Once you establish a basecamp, there are numerous class II to class IV roadside day trips possible. It is the home of the annual APA Roundup in July.

season

Runnable most of the year but best Spring through Fall. Most of the summer the main stem starts at about 5,000cfs and works it's way down to about 2,000cfs by September.  Fall is still runnable, especially for packrafts, but can get boney and technical avoiding exposed boulders. 

GETTING THERE

Banks, Idaho, is "River Central" for the Payette system and lies at the confluence of the Payette's North Fork and South Fork. Banks is an 8 hour drive from Seattle.  There are numerous campgrounds and several hot springs along all three forks of the river.  Particularly in the Spring and Summer months, it is advisable to arrive midweek to secure a good campsite before the weekend crowds. The town of Crouch, at the confluence of Middle Fork and South Fork, and a 15 minute drive from Banks, has a market, restaurants, and accommodations. 

FEES

Most parking areas require a fee of $3.00/day or $20.00 season pass for the Payette system. Day passes can be purchased at the river access sites. Season passes can be purchased at the USDA Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management Interagency Visitor Center in Boise, Boise National Forest District Offices (Emmett, Lowman, and Garden Valley), and most outdoor sports stores in the area. 

RIVER FORKS AND SECTIONS

There are many good options for advance beginner to intermediate paddlers: the Lower Main (II+), the Upper Main (III+),  the North Fork's Cabarton Run (II-III), the South Fork's Swirly Canyon (II-III), the Middle Fork's Nozzle Section (II-III), South Fork Canyon (III-IV), and the South Fork's Grandjean (II-IV) run.  Beware of other river sections as there are also many class V runs for advanced paddlers only. 

UPPER MAIN

  • Overview: Class III+, 7.2 river miles, gradient 17 feet per mile
  • Rapids: 5 named class III rapids, the first and biggest is at 1.3 miles called "Go Left Or You're Fired" and the last one at 5.9 miles called "Adios My Friend" 
  • Flow:  NOAA National Water Prediction Service's Payette River at Horseshoe Bend
  • Put In:  Banks Access site can be a busy site, particularly on weekends. It serves as a take-out for those coming down the North Fork or South Fork and serves as the primary put in for both outfitters and the public. Located across the bridge at Highway 55 mile 78.8.
  • Take Out: Beehive Bend.  This is the primary take-out for the Main Payette with a trail up to a large parking area. Located at Hwy 55 mile 71.5.
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette 1. Banks to Beehive Bend (The Upper Main) page.

LOWER MAIN

  • Overview: Class II+ (III),  5.5 river miles,  gradient 5 feet per mile
  • Rapids:  one optional class III drop at mile 5.1 called Climax, three class II drops from river mile 3.5 to 4.7
  • Flow:  NOAA National Water Prediction Service Payette River at Horseshoe Bend
  • Put In:  Beehive Bend access area with parking also used as a take-out for the run upstream of this one. Located at Hwy 55 mile 71.5.
  • Take Out: Horseshoe Dam Boat Ramp located at Hwy 55 mile 66.2.
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette 2. Beehive Bend to Jet Boat Ramp (Lower Main) page.

NORTH FORK CABARTON RUN

  • Overview: Class III,  10.1 river miles,  gradient 20 feet per mile
  • Rapids:  There are 5 named class III rapids. "Trestle" is likely the most difficult and comes at mile 2.5. Francois is at mile 8.0 and Howard's Plunge at mile 8.6.  The first class II rapid comes at 0.4 miles, followed by 2 miles of flatwater in a secluded Pine valley. Starting at Mile 2.75 there are a couple of class II's including "pre-Trestle" just above the trestle bridge before encountering Trestle Rapid itself at mile 3.0, which starts at the RR bridge and makes a big drop as it turns left. It is fairly long and produces many swimmers. Trestle is followed by two more class II's before a stretch of relatively flat water for 2.5 miles. Mile 6.0 marks "Wetspot" a class III. The 2.5 miles from Wetspot to Howard's Plunge is characterized by fairly consistent drops with short flatwater respites in between. Between Wetspot and Randy's Rock (II+) are several class II's. Randy's Rock is after a left turn as the river approaches the road and starts to make a gentle bend right. The rock is easy to avoid on either side. This is followed by Smoothie Wave (II+) and then "pre Francois," a noteworthy class II before Francois (III). Francois can be recognized by a horizon line. Start center, move right, and stay center right to the finish to avoid a large hole on the left. Shortly after Francois comes Howard's Plunge, obvious as it has a horizon line that opens into a wide open vista. Howard's Plunge is a photogenic 12-foot monster drop into a massive wave train. Although big, it is not difficult. Just line up on the tongue and go, squaring up to the big waves as you exit into a wide, safe, run out zone. The final mile is a serene float over shallow water with a nice sandy river bottom.  With all of the varied terrain and varying rapids it is easy to see why this is a local favorite for intermediate boaters.
  • Flow:  US Bureau of Reclamation North Fork Payette River at Cascade Idaho gauge
  • Put In:  Cabarton Bridge. At Highway 55 mile 106.9 turn west on Cabarton Road and follow it 1.7 miles to the bridge. The access is on the downstream river left side of the bridge and parking is limited.
  • Take Out: Smiths Ferry.  Located behind the Cougar Mountain Lodge. At Highway 55 mile 97.4 turn east on Smiths Ferry Drive and head 0.1 mile to the field on the downstream river right side of the bridge where ample parking is available for a $5 fee.
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette, North Fork 4. Cabarton Bridge to Smiths Ferry page.

SOUTH FORK SWIRLY CANYON AND SWIRLY PLUS

  • Overview: Class II-III,  8.6 river miles,  gradient 20 feet per mile
  • Rapids:  One long class III- rapid, "Swirly", at mile 2.0 through a scenic gorge through white polished rock walls. If doing Swirly Plus there are three additional class III rapids in the first 1.5 miles. 
  • Flow:  Payette South Fork below Deadwood Confluence gauge
  • Put In:  Danskin Station at Highway 17 mile 19.5. Access is available through a steep set of stairs down to the river and a raft slide.   For Swirly Plus park at a large pull out on Highway 17 mile 21.6 known as Kayaker Access Point. There is an obvious use trail on the west end of the parking area that makes a gradual path to the river. 
  • Take Out: Alder Creek Road Bridge.  At Highway 17 mile 11.7 (just west of the airstrip) head south 0.2 miles on Alder Creek Road to the bridge. The access is on river left under the bridge. For Swirly Plus most take out at Hot Springs on river right 8.7 miles down from Kayaker Access Point, at Highway 17 mile 13.9. There is a shallow hot springs soaking tub on the trail. 
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette, South Fork 3. Danskin Station to Alder Creek Bridge page. 

MIDDLE FORK NOZZLE SECTION

  • Overview: Class II-III,  2.7 river miles,  gradient n/a
  • Rapids:  Two named class III rapids, the "Nozzle", at mile 1.0 followed by "Steps" at mile 1.2
  • Flow:  NOAA National Water Prediciton Service  Middle Fork Payette River at Crouch gauge. The run is best done in the spring, while run-off provides higher flows (~800 to 1,500 cfs). Best in Late April - Early July. The Middle Fork relies totally on snow-pack and run-off, resulting crystal-clear but frigid waters.
  • Put In:  Middle Fork Road Bridge. From Banks, turn east onto the Banks-Lowman Hwy. Follow this for about 8 miles and turn left at the sign for Crouch, onto Middle Fork Road; continue for about 11 miles to the bridge and park just past the bridge on your right side, just across from Hardscrabble Campground. 
  • Take Out: Tie Creek Campground. A few short miles down Middle Fork Road from the put in. For a slightly longer run, drive down Lightning Creek Road (a right off Middle Fork Road) about 1/2 mile and leave it near the Bridge.
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette, Middle Fork 2. Nozzle Section page.

UPPER SOUTH FORK: GRANDJEAN TO BONNEVILLE

  • Overview:  Class III+,  9 river miles (12 miles if taking out at Warm Springs Guard Station)
  • Rapids:  Canyon Creek Rapid (III+), at mile 6.0. The gorge before Bonneville at roughly mile 8 has two significant rapids, Emesis (III) and Kicks John's Ass (III), which is a stronger and slightly longer version of Emesis plus a few powerful laterals. Both can be road scouted.
  • Flow:  Gauge used is Payette, South Fork below Deadwood Confluence. 
  • Put In:  Grandjean Campground. Take ID-21 to the end of the road. 
  • Take Out:  Bonneville Access.  A primitive camp site on river right after exiting the Bonneville gorge. For a longer run, continue for 3 miles to Warm Springs Guard Station access on river right. 
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette, South Fork 1. Grandjean to Deadwood page. 

UPPER SOUTH FORK: BONNEVILLE TO HELENDE

  • Overview:  Class III+,  13 river miles (10 miles if putting in at Warm Springs Guard Station)
  • Rapids:  Chapman Creek Rapid (III+) is recommended to road scout for wood. Just downstream, Alcatraz (Little Surprise) awaits. Following a semi-blind left turn, the river cascades through a big class III+ drop with a midstream boulder that is to be avoided. A good line is down the left side and finishing off towards the center but watch the smaller holes at the top that can quickly send you off your line.
  • Flow:  Gauge used is Payette, South Fork below Deadwood Confluence. 
  • Put In:  Bonneville Access. 
  • Take Out:  Helende Campground.  
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette, South Fork 1. Grandjean to Deadwood page. 

UPPER SOUTH FORK:  HELENDE TO MOUNTAINVIEW

  • Overview:  Class III+,  10 river miles 
  • Rapids:  At mile 26 "Wake Up Gorge" can be portaged at the FR-542 bridge. "Kirkham", at mile 27.3, is a long class III ramp bending left. Don't miss Kirkham Hot Springs on river left at mile 27.5 into the run. Characterized by fun class III rapids. The first gorge is just after you pass under the Forest Road 542 bridge. You can road scout the gorge from mile 78.2 on Highway 21. The highlight of this run is just another mile downstream as you enter the gorge at Kirkham Hot Spring. This is one of the best hot springs in the valley. The spring is extensively developed as a day use area and small campground that is visible from the road so it is not remote but it is a nice spot and a great stop for a lunch time soak.
  • Flow:  Gauge used is Payette, South Fork below Deadwood Confluence. 
  • Put In:  Helende Campground
  • Take Out:    Mountainview Campground
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette, South Fork 1. Grandjean to Deadwood page. 

UPPER SOUTH FORK:  MOUNTAINVIEW TO PINE FLAT CAMPGROUND

  • Overview:  Class III,  9 miles
  • Rapids:  Fairly continuous fun class II+ rapids to Deadwood Flats River Access and then a couple class III rapids on the way to the hot springs at Pine Flat Campground
  • Flow:  Gauge used is Payette, South Fork below Deadwood Confluence. 
  • Put In:  Mountainview Campground Campground
  • Take Out:    Pine Flat Campground at road mile 27.9
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette, South Fork 1. Grandjean to Deadwood page. 

SOUTH FORK CANYON

  • Overview: Class IV,  12 river miles,  gradient n/a
  • Rapids:  Starting at mile 4.0, there are five class IV drops, two class III rapids, and one portaged class VI falls at mile 6.0.Pine Flats Campground, at mile 3.2 into the run, is the last easy exit before the point of no return. EVERYONE IN THE GROUP MUST BE COMFORTABLE WITH CLASS IV RAPIDS IF CONTINUING DOWN AND WITH EDDYING OUT IN CLASS II BEFORE THE CLASS VI DROP.  
  • Flow:  Gauge used is Payette, South Fork below Deadwood Confluence. 
  • Put In:  Deadwood River Access. Located at road mile 29.9. Kayakers sometimes use the alternate put-in access at Pine Flat Campground at road mile 27.9 which cuts off the first couple miles of warm up class III.  If doing a road scout you can see Little Falls at road mile 22.7, Big Falls from the overlook at road mile 25.0, and S Turn from the pull out at road 25.7.
  • Take Out: Danskin Station  Access. Located at road mile 19.5. This is a formal access site with a set of steep stairs from the river to the parking lot. 
  • For more information see American Whitewater's Payette, South Fork 2. Deadwood River to Danskin Station page. 
  • Suitable Activities: Packrafting
  • Seasons: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Class II River, Class III River, Class IV River
  • Length: 82.0 nm
  • Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
  • Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
  • Recommended Party Size: 10
  • Maximum Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
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