Rainey Bridge River Access
(aka “Big Eddy”)
The second most popular put-in (and the most popular takeout), Rainey Boat Ramp sits adjacent to a campground that’s run by Idaho Fish and Game. (At the moment you can camp there free of charge, but that may change in the future…) This spot can get VERY busy as a takeout, but the section downriver is lightly trafficked—especially on weekdays and evenings.
The road leading in to Rainey is dirt, and while the washboard can sometimes be pretty rough, 2WD drive vehicles should make it just fine.
There’s a deep swimming hole about 10 yards downstream of the ramp, and a small grassy area where families will picnic, fish, and splash in the water. Be aware of free range cattle that can sometimes be wandering through the parking area, and it’s common to see moose come crashing out of the willows—particularly near the bend upstream of the ramp.
If you’re starting from here, your next stop downriver is Cache Bridge (“Packsaddle”) about 1.5-2 hours away. Technically there’s a takeout at Horseshoe Bridge about 1.5 miles downstream of Rainey, but the road to get there is rutted and rough—not recommended for most vehicles.
Downstream of Rainey the river gets shallow to the point where you’ll want a small rubber fin, and after the pilings by the Horseshoe takeout, you can once again choose to go left or right:
Going left is slightly more paddling, but it’s also the deeper channel; going right has better views of the mountains, but it’s shallower, narrower, and less trafficked.
They re-connect about a half mile before Packsaddle.
Distance To:
South Bates: 8 miles (4 hours)
Bates: 4.5 miles (2-3 hours)
<—>
Packsaddle 3.7 miles (1.5-2 hours)
Harrops Bridge: 10 miles (5-6 hours)
Directions:
To find the boat ramp, DO NOT follow GPS, Google Maps, etc. (it will take you down the wrong road).
To find the right spot, travel west from Driggs on Bates Road for about 6 miles, continuing straight when the road bends to the left (so don't follow the bend to the left), and you'll eventually make a right onto 6000 W (at the black mailbox), and travel north for 2 miles. You'll then turn right on to W 2000 N , which is a washboard dirt road that you'll follow for half a mile until you see the large parking area for the boat ramp.
Boat Ramp: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Parking Lot: Large
Crowd Factor: Moderate-Heavy
