Contact Us

Reserve online through our secure website or give us a call at 208.793.2221 and our friendly reservations staff will assist you. Payment is required at the time of the reservation. We accept all major credit cards. 

That would be a bummer! But things happen, so here’s the fine print. For cancellations made ten or more days before your trip, you will receive a full refund. For cancellations made three to nine days before your trip, you can choose a 50% refund or 100% Cascade credit.  Cancellations made within 48 hours of the trip departure time are non-refundable. This applies to each member of the party. 

On the Main Payette or North Fork Cabarton rafting trips, we can take children as young as 5 as long as they are comfortable with the water. For the full and half day South Fork trips (class III-IV), everyone must be at least 12 years old, at least 100 pounds, in good health and prepared to paddle. 

We have rafts of several sizes. For our family-friendly trips on the Main Payette and Cabarton, we can take rafts that accommodate 6 to 9 paddlers in addition to the guide. For the more adventurous trips on the South Fork (full and half day), the rafts accommodate 6 paddlers in addition to the guide. These are general guidelines and are flexible depending on safety considerations such as the water levels and the total weight of the rafters. If you have any questions about how we will accommodate your specific group, please give us a call. 

Clothes you don’t mind getting wet – swimsuit, nylon shorts, t-shirt, and river sandals or tennis shoes you can get wet. Except in the heat of summer, it is best to avoid wearing cotton clothing. For trips with cold water or in cooler weather, we provide wetsuits and other insulating gear at no additional cost. We have changing rooms with lockers and rest rooms at our river center, so don't forget a change of clothes for after the trip.

It is usually wise to bring sunscreen and water, a hat, and perhaps a towel. If you plan to wear glasses or sunglasses, we recommend a strap to keep them on. We offer Chums glasses retainers as well as waterproof phone cases for sale in our gift shop. Anything you take with you is likely to get wet, so plan appropriately. We have free lockers at the River Center so you can stow anything you need to keep secure and dry. At no time can we take glass containers or alcohol on the river.

On the full and half day South Fork trips (class IV whitewater) everyone will need to paddle to safely maneuver the raft in the more difficult rapids. For the North Fork Cabarton and Main Payette trips, it is not necessary that everyone paddle. While the guide will need the assistance of most participants, those unable to paddle, such as younger children, are welcome to ride along or participate as they are able.

Showers are unusual during the Idaho summer and they are typically isolated and pass very quickly. For this reason, we do not make advance changes for weather to our scheduled departures. Should it be a rainy day, we will provide all the equipment necessary for your comfort on the water (wetsuits, splash jackets, etc). Hey, you are going to be getting wet anyway! 

Cascade Kayak School is located in Idaho’s whitewater mecca! Just 1 hour from Boise, Idaho the Payette River is an amazing classroom with sections of whitewater from class I to class V. All classes meet at the Cascade Raft River Center. Where you will kayak depends on which section is best suited to your experience and goals. Introductory classes often take place on the Main Payette starting at the Cascade Raft River Center and heading downstream toward Horseshoe Bend. Located in Horseshoe Bend is the Horseshoe Bend Hydroelectric diversion, locally known as "the gutter." This is a dynamic river environment that is an excellent spot for surfing as well as focused skills development at a variety of levels. The Main Payette upstream of the Cascade Raft River Center is a solid class III run, and class IV sections can be found on the South Fork of the Payette. The class V of the North Fork is world-renown—the longest continually navigable section of class V in the lower 48. No matter your level, there’s a section of the Payette for you!

We’ll get you set with everything you need! Kayak instruction includes the necessary equipment (boat, paddle, helmet, life jacket, spray skirt) as well as appropriate gear for the weather and water conditions (wetsuit, booties, splash jacket). If you book a full day class or lesson, lunch from our café is also provided. And, of course, we’ll take care of the ground logistics, like shuttles, as well. If you wish to bring your own equipment, you are more than welcome to.

It is usually wise to bring sunscreen and water, a hat, and perhaps a towel. If you plan to wear glasses or sunglasses, we recommend a strap to keep them on. We offer Chums glasses retainers as well as waterproof phone cases for sale in our gift shop. Anything you take with you is likely to get wet, so plan appropriately. If you want to bring your water bottle along, you can clip it in your boat, or your instructor would be glad to carry it for you. We have free lockers at the River Center so you can stow anything you need to keep secure and dry. 

Clothes you don’t mind getting wet – swimsuit, nylon shorts, t-shirt, and river sandals or tennis shoes you can get wet. Except in the heat of summer, it is best to avoid wearing cotton clothing. We have changing rooms with lockers and rest rooms at our river center, so don't forget a change of clothes for after your kayaking session. For full day classes and lessons, we’ll return to our center for lunch, so you’ll have a chance to get dry and relax a bit before heading back out on the river.

Since its inception in 1991, Cascade Kayak School has been well-known for the quality of its instruction and instructors. All instructors are licensed by the State of Idaho, which requires a specific standard of competency and skill as well as first aid and CPR certifications. In addition, Cascade Kayak School instructors complete a rigorous training course to fine-tune their instructional methods and thoroughly understand our curriculum and approach. They are also up to date on river rescue and safety protocols. Many of our instructors come from a whitewater slalom racing background and bring a wealth of technical knowledge. All this comes with top-notch kayaking skills, engaging personalities, genuine enjoyment of the sport, and the desire to share that with you.

Nope. In each of our introduction classes we often have students who have never been in a kayak before as well as those who might have tried kayaking in the pool, inflatable kayaking on the river, or even done some hardshell kayaking. A roll is not necessary. Our 3-1 student to instructor ratio ensures that we can accommodate a variety of skill levels while keeping everyone safe and challenged.

Over the two days of class we’ll focus on building a strong technical base in kayaking that will be reliable as you continue in the sport. Starting with a foundation of proper balance and body position and moving through all the paddle strokes, the curriculum is designed around concepts applicable at all levels of kayaking. As far as specific river skills, we’ll work on lots of boat control, eddy turns and ferries. By the end of the weekend, you should be ready to tackle the class III rapid, Climax, near Horseshoe Bend. While we do not teach rolling in this class, we offer roll sessions where you can schedule an hour of pool-time with one of our instructors to focus on the roll.

The Gold Medal Camp is designed for the intermediate to advanced paddler. While our low student-to-instructor ratio allows us to accommodate a range of skill-levels, participants should at least have experience kayaking class II-III whitewater and be able to roll. If you have any questions about whether this clinic is suitable for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions. 

Yep, it’s a great skill and we’d be glad to help you with that. In our group river classes, we focus on teaching you the skills you need to stay upright since hopefully that’s where you’ll spend the majority of your kayaking time. However, the roll is a confidence-booster and is certainly more convenient than taking a swim, so schedule a roll session with one of our instructors. We have found that a short session dedicated to rolling is the most effective way to learn. If you wish to dedicate some time to rolling, that can be incorporated into a private or small group lesson.

It’s not necessary to bring any kayaking equipment for your class (it’s all included), but if you have your own, you can definitely use what you are familiar with. Our instructors are well-versed in all types of kayaks and equipment and would be happy to answer any gear questions you have. Cascade Kayak School is also a demo center for ZET Kayaks if you’re looking to try before you buy. 

Cascade Kayak School teaches the skills for all these crafts! Many of the foundational kayaking techniques are the same, but we have developed some specific approaches for successful river-running in inflatable kayaks as well as pak-rafts. A private or small group kayak lesson is a great way to boost your kayaking skills and confidence, no matter how you like to kayak.

Flexibility and focus. A private or small group lesson with Cascade Kayak School can be customized to meet your schedule and kayaking goals. Available as half day or full day instruction, these lessons can be booked any day of the week. Whether you have previous experience or are just starting out, you can learn at your pace and focus on the specific skills you need to meet your kayaking goals. 

Absolutely! A half-day or full-day private or small group lesson with one of our instructional team can address exactly what you would like to learn. Whether it’s safety and guidance for a new run, increasing precision, learning to surf, tweaking that roll, really sticking those eddies, or staying upright in the big waves, a private or small group lesson will capitalize on the kayaking experience you already have and focus on getting you to where you want to go next. 

Sure thing! We can work on rolling during your private lesson. We have a pool at our center to work on rolling before or after the river portion of the lesson, or we could stop on the river for a little work on the roll. It takes a lot of energy, so short, focused sessions are usually the best way to learn or reinforce the roll. For all private lessons, the curriculum is tailored to the skills you’d like to address, so let us know how we can help you meet your kayaking goals. If you’re not sure, our instructors can give you a quick evaluation of your kayaking skills and make some suggestions to get you to the next level. 

You’ve put in a ton of work to get this far and we admire and respect that. The best in any game are always looking to learn and refine, and our experienced instructors have the background to give you that extra edge. Our instructional team is led by former US Slalom Team member, Chad Long and features slalom racers, freestyle team members and North Fork Championship racers. If you’re looking to boost your South Fork precision or are preparing to run the North Fork, consider tapping into the expertise of Cascade Kayak School’s instructional staff with a private lesson.

Cascade Kayak School’s kids kayaking day camp is designed for youngsters ages 8 to 12. They’ll want to be comfortable spending the day away from home and familiar adults. The kids kayaking overnight camp is for ages 13 to 18. For the 4 days and 3 nights, teens should be comfortable with away from home for this time frame. All of our camp instructors are wonderful and engaging with these age groups, background checked, and attentive to safety and social nuances.

Cascade Kayak summer whitewater kayaking camps are located in Idaho’s whitewater mecca! Just 1 hour from Boise, Idaho the Payette River is an amazing classroom with sections of whitewater from class I to class V. Introductory classes often take place on the Main Payette starting at the Cascade Raft River Center and heading downstream toward Horseshoe Bend. Located in Horseshoe Bend is the Horseshoe Bend Hydroelectric diversion, locally known as "the gutter." This is a dynamic river environment that is an excellent spot for focused skills development at a variety of levels. The Main Payette upstream of the Cascade Raft River Center is a solid class III run, and class IV sections can be found on the South Fork of the Payette. Most of the camp time will be on the Main Payette, but we’ll choose the section best suited to the abilities of the campers—often several different groups. All camps base out of the Cascade Raft River Center on Highway 55. 

The kids kayak day camp starts with a pick-up in Eagle at 8:30. If it’s more convenient to drop your child off at the Cascade Raft River Center, just let us know and we’ll make those arrangements. After getting geared up, we’ll have a morning kayaking session, return to the river center for lunch and then head back out for the afternoon. Pick up your budding kayaker at 5 PM in Eagle. Schedule will be the same for the second day. All kayaking equipment is included as are lunch and snacks for the kiddos. 

The overnight kayaking camp begins at 9 AM at the Cascade Raft River Center and runs through the fourth day at 3:30 PM. We’ll take some time on the first morning to set up tents and stash personal items at our camping area on the property as well as get everyone set with the kayaking equipment they need. Then we’ll head to the water! Our low student-to-instructor ratio allows us to break into ability groups as necessary to keep everyone safe, but challenged. For the first two days we’ll spend time close to our base in Horseshoe Bend with morning, afternoon and evening sessions on the river. In addition to kayaking, a few of these sessions might be boogie boarding, rafting, hydrospeeding or other fun activities designed to increase comfort in the water and better understand the river currents and hydrology. On day three we usually take a full day on the river and head to the Cabarton section on the North Fork of the Payette. For the last day, we’ll wrap it up with a great kayaking run and a final fun session at the gutter. 

Cascade Kayak School’s kayak camps for kids are a great environment to learn in! Our instructors offer a great depth of kayaking knowledge and experience and love to have a good time on the river. Since 1991, we’ve been teaching kids to kayak and have developed a unique instructional method that combines kayaking technique, river safety and awareness, and comfort in the water with encouragement and empowerment. Kayaking is a thrilling and challenging lifetime sport that offers a singular sense of personal accomplishment and there’s no better place that Cascade Kayak School to get your youngster started or give them the opportunity to improve their skills. 

The Cascade High Ropes Challenge & Ziplines is Idaho’s only tree-to-tree ropes course and zipline. Set in the pines alongside the North Fork of the Payette River, our challenge course offers obstacles such as suspended bridges, tight-wires, a swinging log cross, cargo net, zip lines and much more. Climb, swing, and zip from platform to platform through the treetops. Our well-trained and licensed guides will instruct, encourage and challenge you every step of the way.

Friends, family, youth groups, schools, corporate groups—anyone who is up for some adventure! Participants must be between 60 and 250 pounds and a minimum of 54 inches tall. An element of physical fitness is required. A good gauge is climbing a ladder—you’ll need balance and coordination as well as the ability to reach up with each arm and step up with each leg. You must be free from injury to complete the course. 

We recommend wearing comfortable active-wear that allows for mobility. Closed-toe shoes are a requirement. We’ll provide all the necessary equipment like harnesses, carabiners, safety attachments and helmets. Please ensure you remove all loose jewelry and long hair is tied back. It is a good idea to bring sunscreen and a bottle of water. If you plan to wear glasses or sunglasses, we recommend a strap to keep them on. We offer Chums glasses retainers in our gift shop. If you wish to bring a small camera or your phone, it is best to have a lanyard or strap (or a zippered pocket) to prevent it from falling. 

We ask all participants to arrive at the Cascade Raft River Center about 15 minutes before the departure time to sign in and complete waivers. We’ll shuttle you to the course where you will be fitted with equipment. You will then have a safety briefing, which includes demonstrations of some of the challenge skills. You will have practice time on the ground course to ensure you know how to use the equipment safely and feel ready to go! The course includes 17 elements (10 ropes course challenge obstacles and 7 zip lines) and time on the course depends on your level of fitness and confidence. We plan for 2.5 to 3 hours for the complete adventure.

Nervous about falling or heights? If these fears are ones you want to challenge and overcome, we’re here to support that. The course is a mental as well as physical challenge, but it has been designed to build your confidence as you move through the elements. Follow the safety protocols and if you do slip or fall, your harness will catch you. You can find your footing and continue with the course. And the guides are there to help you. Trained in challenge course management and technical rope rescue techniques, they can assist with a variety of scenarios. During the practice time, you can feel what it is like to fall off an element and be caught by your harness. You will be able to practice how to get back up and continue with the course. If it happens when you’re up in the trees, you will know what to expect! Our zip line and ropes course will take you out of your comfort zone and give you a sense of achievement, fun and adventure! 

Anyone who plans on recreating in the river should be interested in swift water rescue. You will learn the tools and refine the skills needed to perform self-rescue and team rescue in the swift water environment. Both the swiftwater rescue and recreational river rescue classes are packed with useful information and you’ll gain confidence in your knowledge and be able to act when necessary.

All of our swift water rescue classes cover the skills of self-rescue for all types of river users.  We cover swift water swimming, aggressive swimming, throw bag techniques, mechanical advantage with ropes, entrapment, and scenario-based learning evolutions. 

The swift water rescue course is designed for professional rescuers.  Typically these classes include fire departments, ambulance crews, search and rescue teams, professional river guides, and any other group who might be called on to assist in a professional manner in the swift water rescue environment. The river rescue training is catered toward the recreational users from a variety of crafts including rafters, kayakers, and all river users.

Yes! We love to train departments and teams.  We can travel to your area of operation for custom courses in your area of operation, or you can travel to the Payette River and train at our center.  The benefit of training as a team is the learning environment is extremely conducive to team building, group communications, and river skills. You’ll also come away with the confidence that your team is on the same page and can act seamlessly together in a water rescue emergency.

The dynamic team-building environment of the river rescue course is a prime environment for paddling groups to learn the importance of river rescue training and to understand how their team can work together and react in an emergency situation.  This learning is invaluable and promotes a team-based approach to river rescue. You know what others know and how you can rely on each other in a rescue scenario. The same can be said for the wilderness first aid and CPR class. Training with the people you work or hike or bike or ski with allows you to share knowledge and work together for the best possible outcome in a medical emergency.

All of our wilderness first aid courses are outside!  Our evolutions are hands-on and progressive, building the wilderness first aid training gradually as the class progresses. Our passionate instructors will equip you to deal with medical emergencies in the wilderness environment. Confidence in your training and knowledge encourages a calm and practical approach to wilderness first aid and this course includes lots of practice-time and interactive learning to reinforce the concepts.

Our wilderness first aid class covers a great deal including patient assessment, medical emergencies, traumatic injury, environmental emergencies, and patient care and transport. If there are particular scenarios that you encounter often in your outdoor work or recreation, we’re happy to address those with additional focus and practice. 

You'll find a variety of fish in our Idaho rivers such as Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Rock Mountain White Fish. On both the Payette River and the Boise River, trout fishing is excellent. We practice catch-and-release fishing for preservation and conservation reasons. Additionally, Idaho Fish and Game sets a limit on the number of fish that can be taken from the rivers, so whenever possible, we set those fish free so we can catch them next time.

We run our trips on the North Fork of the Payette and the Boise River. Our in-town section spans from Barber Park to the town of Star.

On the North Fork of the Payette, the fishing is best during the spring and fall seasons when water levels are not too high. Our Boise River trips run year-round.

Float trips are a full day on the water enjoyed from the comfort of a raft and oared by our expert guides. You'll have access to dry boxes for extra gear, and a cooler is on board for food and beverages. Our walk-wade fishing trips are an on-foot adventure with many options throughout town for fun, fishable water. You can spend a full day with us (6-8 hours), or a half day (4 hours) if that better suits your time. Both full day trips offer a river side lunch enjoyed midday.

We supply any gear you don't have such as waders and boots and a fully rigged rod. If you have your own you are welcome to bring that gear with you. Other than fishing gear, we recommend bringing layers, sun screen, and a water bottle. The weather can change throughout the day, so making sure you are comfortable is a top priority for us!

Of course! We are happy to take anyone at any skill level. Our guides are knowledgeable locals and experienced anglers. They love to introduce others to a sport they enjoy, give casting tips and instruction, or just take you to the best spots. There’s no better way to get started with fly fishing than with one of our guided fishing trips.

We use rods and reels made locally in Boise by Waterworks Lamson. Our waders and boots are a variety of Patagonia and Simms. Our rafts are also made local by our beloved Boise raft manufacturer, Maravia!

We supply any gear that is needed to enjoy your time on the water such as waders and boots, rods, reels, and flies throughout the day. Our expert guides have years of knowledge on our rivers and will lead you in on some of the most beautiful waters in our area. For our full day trips they even prepare a delicious riverside lunch.