barber park

I've only explored a small portion of Barber Park, and can't wait to go back to finish. It's a great place for a stroll in the woods. The paths are well traveled and go right along the river. Also a great park for birding.

This is a great park just off the beaten track a bit. It's the furthest up river park of the string of parks along the river in Boise... other than Lucky Peak State Park but that's not exactly in Boise. Some great nature trails to explore in Barber Park. Found the fishing to be so so. Think that depends on how long ago it was last stocked. Rafting or tubing from here down to Ann Morrison is a must do event on a hot summer day. I'd say one of the top, low cost attractions in Boise for outdoor fun. The shuttle bus back ($3?) makes it very convenient to get back to the park or with some planning you can park a car down in Ann Morrison. It's a bummer they had to ban alcohol on the river years back because a few inconsiderate idiots had to ruin it for everyone. No prob, just put a mixed drink in a plastic cup or jug. A must do. Do it!

My family (husband, 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter) decided to check out Idaho this summer. We had a great week and one of the highlights was the rafting trip from Barber Park! It was easy peasy for everyone and a super fun time. We got a 6 person raft (more room than the 4 person for comfort reasons and was only $10 more). The staff was very helpful and informative. There are three small dips which they clearly explain how to guide the raft (everyone is in life jackets too which is for safety reasons not b/c you will get dumped). We even stopped the raft half way through the trip so we could all go in the water. We had a great time, lots of laughs and would absolutely recommend for a fun afternoon! You will not be disappointed.

For the past 3 summers we've stayed a couple of weeks in Boise visiting family and this is everyone's favorite activity hands down. We usually go 2-3 times per visit. Since we have the luxury of having family in town, we drop one car at take at point (Ann Morrison) and pay to park at Barber Park ($5-$6 depending on weekday vs weekend) for put in--if you don't have that luxury--you can take the bus either way (I think it's $3 per person). We rent the raft and tubes from Epley's (you can look up prices online). We like their equipment because it floats higher on the water which is nice on low areas of river. As people have mentioned, it's not a lazy river but it a nice float for the majority of the trip. Our kids (3 under age 10), love being in the raft and enjoy hanging out of boat on calmer sections. It definitely helps to have someone on raft that knows how to steer as there are several sections with downed trees (especially late in the season), other sections where you can end up in low hanging branches, and then making sure to get over to the take out point. Tubing is also really fun. The river will take you most of the way but there are certain points where you have to do some paddling with your hands. Tubing is especially nice on hot afternoons as having your bottom submerged in that cold water feels great--once it gets later and it gets shady it can get cold though. Interacting with other floaters also adds to the experience as well as people you see along the river (teenagers jumping off bridges, kids playing on little beach areas, the people at the stacking rock area, etc). Seeing what people float in is also fun (blow up chairs, mattresses, sofas, kayaks).Ann Morrison is the take out place as mentioned early. On weekends, Epley's has a food vehicle there but we've never checked it out. This year we packed a picnic and had it there and it was really fun and then kids played on playground afterwards.

This is one of the very best ways to spend a summer afternoon in Boise. It's just the right amount of exciting to keep everyone in your group having fun. We parked at the take out point in Ann Morrison park and rode the shuttle up to Barber Park where the rental shop and air stations are. It can get quite busy on the weekends and you may end up (as we did) with a wait for rental equipment. If you bring your own floating device this will cut down on your wait time and there is free air to inflate right next to the river. For us, even the wait was pleasant. There was a little snack shop so we grabbed some hot dogs and snow cones and found us a nice shady spot to people watch while we waited. Everyone we met working at the park were helpful and informative answering all our nervous "first timer" questions. Seriously, if your here for a visit or you are a local and have never done this (I can't imagine), put it on the top of your priority list.

We've gone the last 3 years, starting when my girls were 3 and 7. This year they are 5 and 9 and we are going this coming Saturday. After our first time and renting the gear from Barber Park we knew we'd be going again so we bought our own raft and life jackets. We all love it! Highly recommend!

I had my 9 year old with me and was told this was a lazy river with a few quick spots. The current was strong enough that it was hard to stand up in. I could not fight the current and hold on to her. We were pushed to the side numerous times where we were scratched by branches. It takes 2.5 hours to float to the pick up point at Ann Morrison Park. We never made it. At one particularly dangerous point, the current pushed us to the wrong side of an island of fallen trees. We were dragged across a fallen tree that badly scratched us and punctured my tube. Since the tube was punctured we had to fight our way up and over the bank, then walk the two miles to the pick up point. Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

This is a fun group activity! You can park your car, rent a tube or raft, float, and get a ride back to the park. It's not a lazy river and I wouldn't take any kid younger than four, with that said, it is a great way to spend a hot summer day and enjoy the fairly swift current that takes you over 3 'dips', which are tame, around bends, under bridges, and get a view of our town!

We walked a mile or so downriver along the Green Belt and when we got back to the park, we had a nice, relaxing picnic in the shade of the trees. It was a lovely way to get our exercise and enjoy the outdoors in Boise.

having been here for play, athletics, events, and everything else, this is a true multi use area! floating the river to parties, this is a great park and venue for families and students alike.

Easy sign-up. Inexpensive great two-hour fun activity. Convenient parking and rest rooms. Nice comfortable kayaks for two people. Helpful shuttle to take you back the 6 miles upstream to the parking lot!

We all met for a picnic after our float trip down the river. Great place to play games, walk or just sit and enjoy the beautiful park.You can rent bikes anywhere in Boise as everyone enjoyes being out in the beautiful weather. We didn't but saw many people riding around in the park. Boise has many outdoor parks to enjoy.

For a first timer, this was an absolute blast! The 2 or 3 good dips were bigger than I expected, but really, very tame. I was picturing a lazy river float for 2 hours, but the river has a couple good little rapids, at least that's the way I see it. I'm sure for someone who is more experienced, the ride would lull you to sleep, but I had such a good time. Pay $5 to park at Barber park. There is free air there to fill up your tube. Put in, and enjoy the fun trip to Ann Morrison Park. Make sure to get out there. If not, you're in for a nasty surprise. There is a shuttle that will take you up to your car at Barber Park for 2 or 3 bucks. Or, if you're a cheapskate, park one car at Ann Morrison Park before taking another car up to Barber Park. Then afterwards, carpool up to pick up the other car.Such a fun way to kill a couple hours. It was in the 70's when I went and I was very comfortable. It doesn't have to be a thousand degrees out. Have fun!

Easy access to the river, but it can get really crowded on a hot summer day. If you are going to rent equipment to float the river get there early or you may be waiting in line for a while. The shuttle back from Ann Morrison park was easy, but you will have to pay to park at Barber Park

We were staying in Boise for 4 days, so I was looking for something to do for myself and 2 teenage girls. Came across floating the Boise River. Sounded refreshing since it was over 100 degrees out. We had a BLAST I wanted to do it again but, we didn't have time that day, The tubes were $12 each, then you float 6 miles down the Boise River and a shuttle brings you back to the park. Which was $3 each. You can rent rafts for 4 people or Kayaks but, we decided on tubes and are glad we did. I think they were much more fun!! It was perfect not to fast not to slow all ages of people there. The staff was very nice and helpful, I asked a lot of questions and they were glad to help out. I pre-paid the shuttle so I didn't have to carry any money with me. When the shuttle comes every hour on the hour they have paper work showing you paid. To enter the park was $5, so all together for 3 people was $50 dollars. If you have some half way decent tubes at home you can bring them there, they have air to pump them up. That would save the most money, I will do that next time and try to go twice. It took about 2 hours to float, I can't wait to do it again!!! Good advice stay in the middle of the river or you might dodge a few branches, which was not that big of deal. Also we wore flip flops and had no problem. Most people had old tennis shoes or aqua socks but, we never brought them and it was fine.