Payette River: Confluence
Facility · Idaho ·
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Four Rivers Field Office (Bureau of Land Management ID) · Open Access
- 3,019 ft
- Elevation
The South Fork Payette River is a classic pool-drop river cooperatively managed by the BLM and Boise National Forest. The Confluence recreation site is just downstream from the confluence of the Middle Fork and South Fork Payette Rivers. This site serves as a take-out point for boaters floating the Class II "Swirley Canyon" section or as a put-in for boaters tackling the Class IV "Staircase" section. The facilities include a gravel boat ramp and parking area, information kiosk, and vault toilet. This is a fee parking area - $5.00/day or $30.00 season pass for the Boise National Forest Annual Day Use Pass. Day passes are available on-site.
Purchase online Boise National Forest Annual Day Use Pass
Getting there
The Confluence recreation site is located along the Banks-Lowman Highway three miles west of Garden Valley, Idaho and eight miles east of Banks, Idaho.
44.10250, -116.00556 · 44°6'9.0"N 116°0'20.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 33°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 34 | 41 | 52 | 60 | 69 | 78 | 89 | 89 | 79 | 64 | 44 | 33 |
| Low °F | 19 | 22 | 27 | 32 | 38 | 44 | 48 | 46 | 39 | 31 | 26 | 20 |
| Precip in | 4.2 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 5.0 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Parking: $5/day; or $30/Boise National Forest Annual Day Use Pass.
Stay limit: Day use only.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
Member photos
Common questions about Payette River: Confluence
- Can you reserve a site at Payette River: Confluence?
- No. Payette River: Confluence is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
- How long can you stay at Payette River: Confluence?
- Day use only.
Camping near Payette River: Confluence
- Hot Springs 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Swinging Bridge 7.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cold Springs Campground - Boise NF (ID) 8.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Payette River: Deer Creek 1.5 mi · Facility
- Hot Springs Campground and Group sites 5.8 mi · Campground
- Canyon Creek Campground 8 mi · Campground
- Cold Springs Campground (Group ONLY ) 8.2 mi · Campground
- Tie Creek Campground 8.3 mi · Campground
- Payette River: Chief Parrish 8.5 mi · Facility
- Big Eddy Campground 9.6 mi · Campground
- Hardscrabble Campground 10.8 mi · Campground
- Payette River: Beehive Bend 11 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 208-384-3300
- Email BLM_ID_FourRiversOffice@blm.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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