The Payette River (/ peɪˈɛt /) is an 82.7-mile-long (133.1 km) [1] river in southwestern Idaho and a major tributary of the Snake River. Its headwaters originate in the Sawtooth and Salmon River Mountains at elevations over 10,000 feet (3,000 m).

The Payette River is a meandering waterway with numerous side channels, oxbows, and sloughs, which enhance the wildlife values of the river. It was named after Francis Payette, an early explorer and trapper with the Hudson Bay Company in the 1800s.

Welcome to the Payette River National Scenic Byway! Running 112 miles (2 hours drive) between Eagle, Idaho and New Meadows, Idaho, spanning 4 counties, the byway accesses thousands of miles of recreational trails, whitewater, mountain vistas …

The Payette River provides white-water opportunities for boaters of all experience levels. The Main Payette offers the beginner a chance to hone their skills on Class I to III rapids.

Payette River, watercourse, southwestern Idaho, U.S., formed by the confluence of the North Fork Payette River and South Fork Payette River in Boise National Forest near the village of Banks. The North Fork originates in Payette Lake, a popular recreation site near McCall.

Flowing from the central Idaho mountains, the Payette River and its various forks offers a variety of river related recreational opportunities. The BLM and Forest Service jointly manage the Main Payette and South Fork Payette Rivers to provide public …

Find whitewater adventures and outdoor thrills along the Payette River Scenic Byway. Begin this route west of Boise (in Eagle) and follow the Payette River through the Boise and Payette National Forests.

EXPLORE THE PAYETTE RIVER NETWORK OF WATER TRAILS FOR CANOES, RAFTS, PADDLEBOARDS, KAYAKS AND MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT. The Payette River Basin covers over 3,000 square miles and includes the Deadwood River, the South, Middle, and North Forks of the Payette River, the main Payette River, and tributaries, lakes and reservoirs.

The Payette River is famous for its incredible whitewater. This key put-in and take out for rafters and kayakers is located at the confluence of North Fork and South Fork. The lower North Fork narrows and drops 1,700 feet in the 16 miles above Banks, providing almost endless Class V …

The Payette River Scenic Byway meanders through foothills, mountain valleys, canyons, forests, and wide-open valleys with expansive vistas. Visit Lake Cascade, with its beauty and wildlife, and enjoy Payette Lake among the mountains and trees.