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a woman in a red swimsuit and a toddler in a pink swimsuit and life jacket sit on a standup paddleboard on a smooth river

Jessica Darrington of Part Time Tourists worked in partnership with Visit Idaho to create this Travel Tip.

There’s something about a summer day in Idaho that practically begs you to swap your car for a raft or tube, slow things down, and let the river carry you. The sunshine warms your skin, and the pace is set entirely by the current.

For families with young kids, a river float is one of the most memorable (and surprisingly easy) ways to enjoy Idaho’s natural beauty.

We headed to Island Park for a kid-friendly float that checked all the boxes: calm water, incredible scenery, and a pace slow enough that the only thing we had to “hurry” for was snack time.

A blonde woman squats down with a young girl in a pink life jacket and a young boy with a blue life jacket on, standing on a dock with a calm river in the background.
Try an Idaho river float this summer. Photo credit: Part Time Tourists.

Floating the Island Park Section of the Henry’s Fork

Island Park sits in eastern Idaho, just outside Yellowstone National Park, and is home to one of the prettiest sections of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. The water here is crystal clear, lined by pine forests, and often shallow enough to wade in along the banks.

We launched near Mack’s Inn, one of the most popular starting points for families. The current here is typically gentle, making it approachable for beginners and small children. This section of the river takes about two to three hours to float, depending on how often you stop to swim or explore the shore.

Where to Rent

If you’re traveling without your own river gear, Mack’s Inn Resort makes it easy to get on the water. Rent tubes, kayaks, paddleboards, and rafts, and you can choose from a variety of float options. They also offer shuttle service, which means you can park your car, float downstream, and then hop a ride back to the starting point.

A young boy in a blue swimsuit and swim trunks stands in the middle of stacked rafts, float tubes and kayaks
Visit a local outfitter to rent river gear for your float. Photo credit: Part Time Tourists.

Bring Your Own Gear

Many families bring their own inflatable tubes or small rafts. If you go this route, you can still pay for just the shuttle service at Mack’s Inn — it’s an affordable way to enjoy the float without lugging gear back upstream.

Two standup paddleboards and a large inflatable tube on the ground being inflated
Consider using a river shuttle for your river float. Photo credit: Part Time Tourists.

Know Before You Go

Depth: In summer, much of the float is only a few feet deep, though there are deeper pockets.

Wildlife: Keep an eye out for osprey, eagles, ducks, and even moose along the riverbanks.

Crowds: Mornings tend to be quieter, while afternoons are more lively.

What to Bring for a Successful Family Float

A little preparation goes a long way toward making your float day fun and stress-free. Here’s our family packing list:

Life Jackets: Required for kids and strongly recommended for adults. Idaho law requires children 14 and under to wear a PFD when any vessel is underway.

Sun Protection: Sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Remember, the sun reflects off the water.

Footwear: Water shoes or sandals that stay on.

Snacks and Water: Pack in a small cooler bag or dry bag.

Dry Bag: For phones, keys, and valuables.

Towels and Change of Clothes: Leave these in the car for after the float.

a woman in a red swimsuit and a toddler in a pink swimsuit and life jacket sit on a standup paddleboard on a smooth river
Float away the day on an Idaho river. Photo credit: Part Time Tourists.

Other Family-Friendly River Floats in Idaho

Idaho is practically built for floating — the state’s rivers are as varied as its landscapes. Here are a few other favorite spots for families:

Boise River Float | Boise

Launch from Barber Park and float about six miles to Ann Morrison Park over the course of this two- to three-hour adventure. This float is mostly calm and has three small rapids for a bit of extra fun. Raft, kayak, tube and life jacket rentals are available in Barber Park. A Boise River float shuttle runs between Ann Morrison and Barber parks to make logistics a bit easier. It’s $5 per rider, each way and cash and card are accepted.

Cabarton Stretch of the Payette River| Near Cascade

This scenic stretch of the Payette is great for older kids who are ready for something more adventurous than a slow float. While it’s still considered beginner-friendly, it’s best done as a guided trip from Cascade Raft & Kayak or Bear Valley Rafting. Ages 5 and above are recommended for this trip.

Whether you choose the Henry’s Fork in Island Park or one of the many other family-friendly floats across the state, you’ll end your day sun-kissed, water-logged, and grinning from ear to ear. And that — more than anything — is the perfect Idaho souvenir.

Jess Darrington is the founder or Part Time Tourists, a travel and adventure blog that was created in 2018. Part Time Tourists aims to help people travel more by offering detailed travel guides and practical tips. With a large focus on US travel, Jess shares adventurous and luxurious destinations throughout the country. You can follow her on Instagram and PartTimeTourists.com.

Feature image credited to Part Time Tourists.


Published on August 4, 2026