Flowing from the central Idaho mountains, the Payette River and its various
forks offers a variety of river related recreational opportunities. The BLM
and Forest Service jointly manage the Main Payette and South Fork Payette
Rivers to provide public river access primarily for white-water boating. For
the beginner, the Main Payette, from Banks to Beehive Bend, offers Class II-
III rapids. The "Staircase" section of the South Fork (Confluence or Deer
Creek to Banks) will provide a little more challenging Class II-III options,
and the "Canyon" stretch (Deadwood to Danskin) will test your Class III-V
rapids skills.

Payette River Maps (Boater's Guide)

Flowing from the central Idaho mountains, the Payette River and its various forks offers a variety of river related recreational opportunities. The BLM and Forest Service jointly manage the Main Payette and South Fork Payette Rivers to provide public river access primarily for white-water boating. For the beginner, the Main Payette, from Banks to Beehive Bend, offers Class II-III rapids. The "Staircase" section of the South Fork (Confluence or Deer Creek to Banks) will provide a little more challenging Class II-III options, and the "Canyon" stretch (Deadwood to Danskin) will test your Class III-V rapids skills.

<a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/BLM_ID_PayetteRiver.pdf" rel="nofollow">Payette River Maps (Boater's Guide)</a>

Bird's eye view of the park

Payette River Corridor

Through a management agreement with Reclamation, the Idaho Department of Fish
and Game manages this complex of wetlands and ponds covering 1.7 square miles
(1105 acres) located above Black Canyon Reservoir. Camping, hiking, hunting,
and fishing are the major recreation activities for this area, located
northeast of Emmett in southwest Idaho. Fishing opportunities also exist in
the adjacent Payette River. The Montour Campground is open seasonally and does
not accept reservations. For camping information, call 208-365-2682. Nesting
season closures exist for portions of the Wildlife Management Area. For WMA
information call 208-465-8465.

Through a management agreement with Reclamation, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game manages this complex of wetlands and ponds covering 1.7 square miles (1105 acres) located above Black Canyon Reservoir. Camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing are the major recreation activities for this area, located northeast of Emmett in southwest Idaho. Fishing opportunities also exist in the adjacent Payette River. The Montour Campground is open seasonally and does not accept reservations. For camping information, call 208-365-2682. Nesting season closures exist for portions of the Wildlife Management Area. For WMA information call 208-465-8465.

Montour Wildlife/Recreation Management Area

The Payette River provides white-water opportunities for boaters of all
experience levels. The Main Payette offers the beginner a chance to hone their
skills on Class I to III rapids. The Cabarton Section of the North Fork (Class
II to IV) and the Staircase Section of the South Fork (Class III to IV) allow
the intermediate boater to improve their skills. The Canyon Section of the
South Fork is for Class IV boaters to enjoy. The North Fork Payette is for
advanced Class V kayakers.

In an average year, streams carry more than 100 billion cubic feet of water
from the high country, mostly in April and August. Dams at Cascade and
Deadwood Reservoirs augment rivers flows as the runoff subsides, often
extending the whitewater boating season into the fall.

The Payette River System is a Federal Fee Site. Daily permits or a seasonal
pass are required for parking.

Payette River Maps (Boater's Guide)

The Payette River provides white-water opportunities for boaters of all experience levels. The Main Payette offers the beginner a chance to hone their skills on Class I to III rapids. The Cabarton Section of the North Fork (Class II to IV) and the Staircase Section of the South Fork (Class III to IV) allow the intermediate boater to improve their skills. The Canyon Section of the South Fork is for Class IV boaters to enjoy. The North Fork Payette is for advanced Class V kayakers. 
 
In an average year, streams carry more than 100 billion cubic feet of water from the high country, mostly in April and August. Dams at Cascade and Deadwood Reservoirs augment rivers flows as the runoff subsides, often extending the whitewater boating season into the fall. 
 
The Payette River System is a Federal Fee Site. Daily permits or a seasonal pass are required for parking. 

<a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/BLM_ID_PayetteRiver.pdf" rel="nofollow"> Payette River Maps (Boater's Guide)</a>

Payette River

Black Canyon Reservoir is formed by Black Canyon Diversion Dam, a part of the
Boise Project. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this 1,100-acre reservoir
offers 12 miles of shoreline. Boating and fishing are the major recreational
activities at the reservoir, which is located northeast of Emmett in southwest
Idaho. This site offers restrooms, boat ramps, camping, parking, picnic
tables, swimming, and accessible facilities for fishing. Please visit
https://www.usbr.gov/pn/snakeriver/landuse/blackcanyon/calendar.html. We do
NOT take reservations over the phone.

Black Canyon Reservoir is formed by Black Canyon Diversion Dam, a part of the Boise Project. Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, this 1,100-acre reservoir offers 12 miles of shoreline. Boating and fishing are the major recreational activities at the reservoir, which is located northeast of Emmett in southwest Idaho. This site offers restrooms, boat ramps, camping, parking, picnic tables, swimming, and accessible facilities for fishing. Please visit https://www.usbr.gov/pn/snakeriver/landuse/blackcanyon/calendar.html. We do NOT take reservations over the phone.

Payette River Corridor

Directions

Stay Limit

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Montour Wildlife/Recreation Management Area

Payette River

Black Canyon Reservoir