| Difficulty | II-III+ |
| Length | 35.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 40 fpm |
| Gauge | South Fork Payette River at Lowman, Id |
| Flow Rate as of 5 hours | 454 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 25, 2026 |
The 35-mile reach from Grandjean to Deadwood is rarely completed as a single trip. Instead, boaters typically select shorter segments based on flows, group ability, and wood conditions. The numerous access points provide flexibility to create longer or shorter trips, accommodate mixed-ability groups, and adjust plans as conditions change. The descriptions below describe the most common subdivisions of this reach but other variations are possible.
Grandjean (rm 140.6) to Bonneville (rm 131.7); class II(IV); 8.9 miles
The section from Grandjean to Bonneville is mostly class II with the notable exception of Canyon Creek Rapid which is class III+ (IV above 2000cfs) and the short gorge just upstream of Bonneville which is class III+. Wood can be an issue in this upper segment of the run and higher flows greatly increase the risk and difficulty. Use caution in this remote stretch. Canyon Creek (III+/IV) is a read-and-run with a couple of the biggest hits on this section. Follow the big tongues and crash the holes for a thrilling start to your run. Scout from the bridge at the Canyon Creek confluence with the South Fork if desired and make use of the forgiving eddies as needed. The gorge before Bonneville hosts two significant rapids. First up is Emesis (III), which can be road scouted on the drive up. Enter river left and ride the rowdy wave train. Next is Kicks John's Ass (III), which is a stronger and slightly longer version of Emesis (plus a few powerful laterals to test your combat roll). This can also be road scouted.
Bonneville (rm 131.7) to Helende (rm 119.0); class II-III+; 12.7 miles
A popular run begins at Bonneville (III). If you begin about a mile and half upstream of the campground you can start out with the fun class III rapids in the short gorge (described in segment above) that finishes off as you pass under the ID-21 bridge. Swing left around the riverbend and stair-step down three small drops. As the river wid
...The Grandjean Campground is reached from Highway 21 mile 93.8. Follow Forest Service Road 524 to its end at mile 7.0. There is no dedicated day-use river access site but campsites 7 through 12 are along the river and there is a separate parking area for hikers.
As flows drop, a nice riverside hot spring emerges along the river bank.
This access is reached from Highway 21 mile 93.8 where you turn onto Forest Road 524. Follow this road 4.5 miles to the Wapiti Creek Bridge that crosses the South Fork Payette. Good low bank access is available on the upstream river left side of the bridge suitable for hand-carry craft.
Most significant drop in this section. USGS River Mile 134.3.
Access is just upstream of Bonneville at a dispersed campsite located at ID-21 mile 93.0 that is a functional access for kayaks and smaller hand carry craft. Bonneville Campground at ID-21 mile 91.5 is also listed as an access in some guides but this puts you in downstream of some good class III/IV. USGS River Mile 131.7.
A great class III+ read-and-run down the middle. Logs occasionally get stuck about 80% of the way through the rapid. USGS River Mile 129.1.
Access at a dispersed campsite across from Warm Springs Guard Station that is an easy raft launch. To reach it turn onto 025-RB at ID-21 mile 91.3. Follow this road 0.9 miles downstream and turn left into the dispersed campsite just before you reach the guard station. This access puts you in just downstream of Chapman Creek but just above Alcatraz. USGS River Mile 128.6.
For those who want to avoid Alcatraz, the class III+ immediately downstream of this access point, a couple more roadside pullouts and dispersed campsites provide access as you continue downstream.
At a distinct horizon line the river cascades through a big Just past the Warm Springs Guard Station this class III+ drop awaits. It is recognized by a midstream boulder that is to be avoided. A good line is down the left side and finishing off towards the center but watch the smaller holes at the top that can quickly send you off your line. USGS River Mile 128.4.
This access is located on river left just upstream of MacDonald Creek at a dispersed recreation site accessed from a spur road off Highway 21. This is a good access point if you want to avoid the class III upstream of this point and are seeking a class II run down to Helende.
Tenmile Creek Road Bridge is at ID-21 mile 85.5 and is sometimes used an access that comes at the end of some class II/III and the start of a short class II reach. The best access is on the downstream river right side of the bridge where a short fisherman's trail leads down to the river. It is suitable for hand-carry craft and is feasible for rafts with some effort.
Helende Campround at ID-21 mile 81.5 is a good river access that serves as a take-out or put-in. It is a good access point for rafts and a great campground to stage adventures in the South Fork Payette drainage. The access point is adjacent to but separate from the campground. To reach the river access, enter the campground but instead of following the loop around the sites, head straight on the dirt road towards the river. Rafts can easily use this access. USGS River Mile 119.0.
A short bedrock gorge with a horizon line at the start. This is just below the Forest Road 542 bridge (which can be used as a take-out if you don't want to run this rapid or the Kirkham Gorge). You can road scout the gorge from mile 78.2 on Highway 21. USGS River Mile 114.9.
This recreation site is sometimes used as a take-out by kayakers (hauling rafts out would not be practical here but you can still stop). It is located at ID-21 mile 76.9. The hot spring is just below Kirkham Rapid on river left. Enjoy a nice soak and take out here or continue on your way. USGS River Mile 113.3.
Easy to road scout at the Hot Spring. The meat of the rapid is just below the bridge used to access the hot spring. USGS River Mile 113.4.
Mountainview Campground is at ID-21 mile 73.3 and serves as a take-out or put-in. Parking is limited but there is an area to unload boats, including rafts, and easily access the river. USGS River Mile 109.5.
This access point also serves as the put-in for The Canyon run. It is a formal river access site and day-use area adminstered by the Forest Service with a fee. The site is located at mile 29.9 on the Banks-Lowman Road at USGS River Mile 105.1. The access is suitable for rafts.
Jul 18, 2026
We had a big group of 17 planning to run the Canyon but a landslide overnight somewhere up in the basin and some precipitation in the headwaters turned the South Fork Payette an angry brown color. We opted for an alternative and the Grandjean section offered the easiest logistics to get on the water. We put in just downstream of the standard Bonneville put-in that puts you at the start of the class III as a river-wide log was visible from the road.
Total float time for the approximately 18 mile trip was a little under 4 hours from Bonneville to Helende. We put in and were on our way around 1:00. Alcatraz took a little time as we had a few swims but we got everyone back together without any issues. We were at the MacDonald Creek Access shortly before 2:00. We passed Ten Mile Creek around 2:40 and reached Helende at 3:30. The group took an approximately 15 minute stretch break at Helende. Our pace slowed a bit at Wake Up Gorge as we had a couple swims there and we reached the Kirkham Hot Spring at 5:00.
Jul 26, 2025