See all 3 routes on Boise River
Idaho | Southwest Idaho / Middle Fork Boise
Boise RiverTroutdale Campground to Badger Creek Campground
A 9-mile Class II Middle Fork Boise float between two Forest Service campgrounds, with a roadside Forest Road 268 shuttle and a direct Twin Springs gauge.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A 9-mile Class II Middle Fork Boise float between two Forest Service campgrounds, with a roadside Forest Road 268 shuttle and a direct Twin Springs gauge.
Access map
Put-in
Troutdale Campground riverside access areaUse only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
Take-out
Badger Creek Campground Take-OutConfirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
- Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
- Private banks are common. Do not land, scout, portage, or camp outside a signed public site or manager-designated corridor.
Watch for
- cold water and strainers
- rough Forest Road 268
- small campground parking and access
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Boise River near Twin Springs, ID. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Boise River near Twin Springs, ID |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 1,200 cfs to 1,800 cfs |
| Low threshold | 500 cfs |
| High threshold | 5,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Dreamflows trigger levels: 500-5,000 cfs; 1,200-1,800 cfs planning ideal around 1,500 cfs optimum |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route corridorTroutdale Campground to Badger Creek Campground; About 9 river miles
Boise River Troutdale-to-Badger access and flow map identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.
- Public access controlTroutdale Campground riverside access area to Badger Creek Campground Take-Out
Coordinates represent named public ramps, bank launches, park landings, or an explicitly described staging point.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 13185000 - Boise River near Twin Springs, ID
Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.
- Threshold postureGauge-linked range used for live scoring
The cited route guidance is tied to this gauge and reach; hazards, closures, weather, and local inspection still override the score.
- Safety and land managementCurrent manager notices override this record
Class II water is gentle in character but remains cold, remote, and exposed to strainers; wear PFDs and carry a conservative rescue and repair kit. Troutdale and Badger Creek are small Forest Service campgrounds reached by narrow, rough Forest Road 268; confirm seasonal opening, road conditions, and parking before staging. Use 500 cfs as the lower trigger, 1,200-1,800 cfs as a planning ideal around the published 1,500 cfs optimum, and 5,000 cfs as the upper trigger. Recheck weather, wood, and current trend before launch.
- Camping classificationendpoint_campground
Troutdale and Badger Creek are endpoint Forest Service campgrounds when open; both are small and first-come, so confirm current status and bring water for primitive sites.
- Photo contextBoise River watershed context photograph
The gallery photo is visual context. It may show another part of the same river or watershed and does not show current conditions at every access point.
- Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access itinerary
Adjacent cards use different public endpoints and provide a different trip length, hazard set, skill tier, or operating boundary.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- Boise River Troutdale-to-Badger access and flow map
- Official access/map control
- USGS 13185000 monitoring location
- USGS 13185000 current conditions
- Dreamflows trigger levels: 500-5,000 cfs; 1,200-1,800 cfs planning ideal around 1,500 cfs optimum
- Additional threshold support
- Boise River watershed context photograph
- Idaho boating and invasive-species requirements
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
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Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Boise River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Troutdale Campground to Badger Creek Campground route on the Boise River?
Paddle Today watches Boise River near Twin Springs, ID and treats 1,200 cfs to 1,800 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Troutdale Campground to Badger Creek Campground route on the Boise River start and end?
This route starts at Troutdale Campground riverside access area and ends at Badger Creek Campground Take-Out, about 9 river miles on the water.
Is the Troutdale Campground to Badger Creek Campground route on the Boise River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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