
Portneuf Gap — Portneuf River Paddling
Pocatello / Portneuf Gap, Idaho
Activity
Paddling / River
Distance
2 mi round trip
Route
Out & back
The adventure
Launch where the Portneuf squeezes through the gap and sample the river before the longer city float. Use the Portneuf Gap ramp for a short out-and-back-style river session appropriate to conditions and your paddling skill. The access is intended for kayaks, canoes and float tubes.
Launch a suitable human-powered craft at Portneuf Gap, paddle a conservative section appropriate to conditions and your ability, return safely to the access. The first 4.8 miles contain numerous small rapids. Overhanging trees are a known hazard; keep scanning downstream.
ONCE YOU’RE THERE Park at the Portneuf Gap River Access and use the designated non-motorized boat ramp. The first 4.8 miles downstream are intermediate and contain small rapids and low branches; this adventure is deliberately shorter. Do not commit downstream without a shuttle plan and the skill for the full section.
LOCAL INTEL Dress for the water temperature and use appropriate flotation and paddling safety equipment.
FEES, PERMITS & ACCESS No mandatory entrance, parking, access, permit, reservation, or similar fee is required to complete this Adventure as routed.
What to expect
- Use the Portneuf Gap ramp for a short out-and-back-style river session appropriate to conditions and your paddling skill.
- Park at the Portneuf Gap River Access and use the designated non-motorized boat ramp. The first 4.8 miles downstream are intermediate and contain small rapids and low branches; this adventure is deliberately shorter. Do not commit downstream without a shuttle plan and the skill for the full section.
Good to know
- HUMAN-POWERED RAMP
- The access is intended for kayaks, canoes and float tubes.
- INTERMEDIATE WATER
- The first 4.8 miles contain numerous small rapids.
- LOW BRANCHES
- Overhanging trees are a known hazard; keep scanning downstream.
- RIVER GEAR
- Dress for the water temperature and use appropriate flotation and paddling safety equipment.
- WATCH THE GAP CLOSE IN
- From the water, look back at how tightly the landscape pinches around the river.
- Fee
- Free — no required entrance or parking fee.
- Entrance fee
- No mandatory entrance, parking, access, permit, reservation, or similar fee is required to complete this Adventure as routed.
- Dogs
- unknown.
Photos

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