This 40 mile stretch of river cuts through the Bruneau Canyon in southwestern Idaho. The logistics of getting on the river can be harder than actually running it. Lots of people combine this with Jarbidge river for a 4-5 day float. The short flow season makes catching this run difficult.
As with the Jarbidge River be aware of log jams and poison ivy. There are sections where the poison ivy lines the banks and is thick.
| Class | II+ to IV |
| Current Flow |
75.2 CFS 12-05-2025 02:00 |
| Recommended Flow |
Minimum: 600.0 Average: 2000.0 Maximum: 3000.0 |
| Typical Season |
Begins: April Ends: June |
| Recommended Use |
Kayaking: Yes Rafting: Yes Canoeing: No SUP: No Packrafting: No Fishing: Yes |
| Primary Gauge | BRUNEAU RIVER NR HOT SPRING ID |
| Length | 40.0 Mile(s) |
| Gradient | 30.0 FPM |
| Type | Name | Description | Camping? | Water? | Boat Ramp? | Vehicle Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Bruneau Launch Site |
See access description here. |
No | No | No | 4WD Only |
| Take-Out | Bruneau Take-Out |
This take out is about 8 miles or so south of Bruneau ID. |
No | No | No | All Vehicles |
| Rapid Name | Description | Scout | Class | Recommended Flow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave Rapid |
There is an undercut cliff on river right that the current pushes into. |
III+ to IV |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
A read and run class III |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rodger Dodger Rapid |
Class III |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Helfrich Hole Rapid |
Another class III right below Rodger Dodger |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
A section of class III rapids that consists of 3 rapid sections in a row. |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
A class III |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
Another class III drop |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
An unnamed class III rapid |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
Several holes and rocks exist here. |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Juniper Tree Rapid |
A longer class III |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
A class III |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
After the river turns 90 degrees to the left, 2 class III sections will be present. |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
A class II or III depending on water level. |
II+ to III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
A class III |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Five Mile Rapids - Boneyard Rapid |
The river drops more steeply over the next five miles. The boneyard is the beginning of this section. A very rocky section at lower water or a very hole ridden section at high water. |
IV |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Five Mile Rapids - Rapid |
A class III drop |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Five Mile Rapids - Rapid |
A rocky rapid |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Five Mile Rapids - Hughes Horn |
Another class IV section in the Five Mile Rapid section |
IV |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Five Mile Rapids - Rapid |
A class IV |
IV |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Five Mile Rapids - Devils Garden |
This is a long rapid that begins here and bends around the corner. This is a rocky strewn class IV |
IV |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Five Mile Rapids - Rapid |
The last class IV of the Five Mile Rapid section |
IV |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
A class III |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Rapid |
Main flow goes down the right side of the channel. Rocks on left. |
III |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
|
| Wild Burro Rapid |
The river chokes down to a narrow point here because of the debris slide on river left. |
IV |
Minimum: 700.0 Maximum: 5000.0 |
| Camp Name | Description | Fee? | Beach? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp 1 |
On river left just below the Indian Hot Springs put in |
No | Yes |
| Camp 2 |
on river right |
No | No |
| Cave Draw Camp |
on river left where Cave Draw drains into the Bruneau |
No | No |
| Camp 3 |
on river right |
No | No |
| Camp 4 |
on river right |
No | No |
| Opposite Sheepshead Camp |
On river left just across from Sheepshead Draw canyon. |
No | Yes |
| Camp 5 |
on river right |
No | Yes |
| Confluence Camp |
There are several large cottonwoods where the East Fork of the Bruneau meets the Bruneau. |
No | No |
| Camp 6 |
On river right. |
No | Yes |
| Camp 7 |
On river right |
No | No |
| Camp 8 |
Large beach on river left |
No | Yes |
| Camp 8 |
On river left |
No | No |
| Wild Burro Camp |
On river right |
No | Yes |
The following fish species are often found on this run. If you don't see a fish that you know lives on this river, please login and associate that fish species.
No Fish have been associated with this river yet...
No Points of Interest added yet...
|
Flow forecast
|
No community notes added yet...
No Accidents reported for this run...
No River Shuttle Companies added yet...
No River Outfitters, Guides or Commercial Companies added yet...
No Camping or Lodging locations added yet...
