Whitewater Weekend 2026 / The River Trip

Name: Whitewater Weekend 2026 / The River Trip
Start: 2026-07-16T18:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-07-19T15:00:00-06:00
Location: Southfork - Payette River Community Garden Valley Idaho

Schedule

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Sun, 19 Jul, 2026 at 03:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

Southfork - Payette River Community Garden Valley Idaho | Boise, ID

Please CLICK HERE to read entire Itinerary and release of liability. (LAST PARAGRAPH IS REQUIRED)
17 of 35 spots are already filled. Don't be confused by how many it says are going on this page. most people end up contacting me directly.
, please add anyone you'd like to invite to the list ......I've missed many in years past.
For those who have come one of the multiple trips we've had, you know what's up! These trips are an amazing gathering of friends! No drama. Fun and awesome whitewater surrounded by amazing scenery interspersed with good food, water fights, live theater
If you haven't attended, you should ask someone! This is a highlight of the year😎
Begin or end your day just steps away from our campsite with a soak at some of the greatest natural hotsprings in the world. Then enjoy 3 separate days of whitewater adventure on 3 different forks of the Payette River in Idaho. Saturday night we will augment our trip by attending a performance under the moonlit skies of the Starlight Mountain Theatre along the banks of the middle fork of the Payette River in Garden Valley, Idaho. It's a trip highlight.

ITINERARY:
Thurs; meet at Pine Flats campground off Hiway 17 between Garden Valley & Lowman, Idaho sometime after 6pm. you are welcome to arrive early, but because people arrive at all different hours, you will be responsible for your own dinner on Thursday night.

Fri: 9am the fun starts! After breakfast and loading up, we'll get on the Canyon section of the south fork of the payette river at approximately 11:00am. There are 9 class IV rapids on this section. we'll have lunch partway down while we sit in river side hot springs. look forward to the portage at big falls where you'll feel the power of the river literally shake the ground under your feet as the entire river slams into a granite wall at the bottom of the falls.
Well get off the river about 4 then we'll go eat dinner(Walking Tacos or homemade pizzas) and head to Kirkham hotsprings.
Sat: lazy morning. Sleep in a little, take a soak in the springs, grab some breakfast... we'll get headed to the Cabarton section about 10am. We'll spend all day on the river with stops for lunch and cliff jumping. You're gonna LOVE the Trestle Rapid, it's like a roller coaster bouncing you from bank to bank while you ride incredible waves created right under the train trestle bridge. It ends with Howard's plunge,a 17 foot drop over 25 feet and then cliff jumping into the rapids. Then we'll head to the mountain town of Garden Valley & Starlight mtn theatre where we'll have an amazing bbq pulled pork (burrito or salad/mac&cheese dinner followed by a live show in an outdoor theatre on the banks of the river........ you'll laugh for sure! it really is a trip highlight. this year is either Disney's Frozen or a hilarious version of Legally Blonde
Sun: another lazy morning. We'll grab breakfast, pack up camp and some may head to church in GV. Others may head home and the rest of us will go down whichever stretch of river we've decided. Then it's your home or many of us end the trip meeting for dinner at Texas Roadhouse back down in the city.
This will be class II/III/IV water....
Please bring a helmet(bike helmet works great) if you have one. Let us know if you do not have one.
There will only be 35 spots max on the trip. first to venmo are in.
$285perperson split shared cost will include:
all rafting and gear
food/drinks from fri morn to Sunday morning
sites at Pine Flats campground, hot springs,
Individual tickets to Starlight Mtn Theatre
Rafts, paddles & life jackets all weekend
3 separate rafting sections
This is a highlight trip of the year, Show up with a sleeping bag &pad & a tent if you can. Please let me know what your situation is. As in all years past, we will take care of you outdoors or indoor if needed.
Venmo @sean-paul-thornton (singles whitewater weekend 26 in memo) then Text Sean-Paul (801.808.5519) to reserve your spot.
There are no refunds. You will be responsible for filling your spot if you need to back out.

We'll be meeting at Pine Flats campground, hiway 17 East of Garden Valley Idaho on Thursday night. Just get to the campsite and bring a sleeping bag & pad
(And a tent if you have one)
This is a group of friends trip. Each participant is responsible and liable for their own safety and possible medical expenses. Swimming & Rafting & hiking is a dangerous sport. Injury or even death is possible while participating. While the boat captains each have extensive experience, each participant recognizes not all factors can be controlled and recognize their participation releases trip leaders and boat captains from any and all liablility for participants safety and or possible medical expenses.