Ada County Parks and Waterways
Barber Park Location & Hours
Barber Park is located about 6 miles from downtown on Eckert Road between Warm Springs and Boise Avenues. Barber Park is open all year round, however, it is best known as for the starting point for many Boise River rafters and tubers during the summer months. The park includes the Education and Event Center Facility, covered patio for picnics, picnic tables and BBQ’s’ throughout the park, playground equipment, and numerous pathways and trails through natural wildlife habitat areas. Boise River adventure seekers will find raft and tubes for rent and free air stations for filling your own equipment during the summer months. Mid-November through mid-March wintering bald eagles can be seen perched in large Cottonwood trees watching the river for fish. Deer are also spotted roaming the park in the fall and early spring.
Glass containers are prohibited in the park and on the river.
Park Hours: Gates: 8 a.m. – Sunset
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
4049 S. Eckert Rd.
Boise, Idaho 83716
Directions:
From Interstate 84, take the Broadway exit (54), Continue on Broadway north to Boise Avenue 1.7 miles. Turn east (right) on Boise Avenue and stay on Boise Avenue until it ends at Eckert Road 3.6 miles. Turn north (left) onto Eckert Road and take your first left turn from Eckert Road into the park .01 miles.
Barber Park Interactive Map
Barber Park has six pad areas located at the front of the park east of the Boise River rafting launch area. Three of these pads have the BBQ grills at them. The picnic shelter is located at the west end of the park off of the parking field it has two BBQ grills. These areas are first to come use areas.
Playground and Basketball Court
Barber Park has a basketball court and a children’s playground. The areas are located at the west end of the park off of the parking field.
Barber Park Wildlife
Barber Park is an excellent place for wildlife watching. More than 121 species of birds live here, from bald eagles to Black-chinned hummingbirds. Fox, squirrels, and garter snakes are prevalent. Mule and whitetail deer, beaver, raccoon and mink are also common. Barber Parks large cottonwood forest provides important habitat for tree-nesting birds (wood ducks, owls, flickers, etc…) and even an occasional elk.
Barber Park and the Greenbelt is a wonderful place to view birds. If you are interested in learning more about birding in Idaho and the Idaho Birding Trail, see http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/ibt/
Stay on the trails as you explore and keep your dog(s) contained. Enjoy the beauty of Barber Park!
All pets must be kept on a leash while in the park. Ada County Ordinance
Wild Life Photos Courtesy of Rod Snider
Fishing
The Idaho Department of Fish & Game stocks fish in the Boise River. For the stocking schedule, see Idaho Fish & Game Stocking Information.
Green Roof and Solar Panels
Green Roof Ada County Parks & Waterways Administration Office Solar Panels
What is LEED ®?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System™ is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.
LEED® promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: Sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
To earn certifications, a building project must meet certain prerequisites and performance benchmarks (“credits”) within each category. Projects are awarded Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certifications depending on the number of credits they achieve.
This comprehensive approach is the reason LEED-certified buildings have reduced operating costs, healthier and more productive occupants, and conserve our natural resources.
The five types of plants that were used for the Barber Park project.
Sedum spurium Fuldaghut
Sedum ternstum
Sedum acra
Sedum album
Sedum hybridum immergrunchen
View information on the solar panels located on the administration building located in Barber Park by logging into the portal https://www.sunnyportal.com/Login.
E-mail: eec@adacounty.id.gov
Password: ronabaco
Parking
What to expect when you arrive for parking at Barber Park during the floating season
Parking Kiosk Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Parking Fees:
$5.00 Monday-Thursday per vehicle and no re-admittance
$6.00 Friday-Sunday & Holidays per vehicle and no re-admittance
- When returning to the park after your float please use the drop off area as you will not be allowed to re-enter the parking area without paying the fee again.
- Kiosk gate into fee parking area is locked at 7:30 p.m.
- Exit gate out of fee parking area available until sunset.
- Main Entrance Gate into Barber Park is locked at sunset. Main exit gate will be accessible to retrieve your vehicle.
- Remember to be kind to the neighbors and park in designated areas.
- Parking illegally could result in your car being towed or ticketed.
Air Stations
Air Stations are available during the float season from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The float season typically runs from mid June to Labor day weekend.
The air will remain on until the second week of September. Air hoses will be located on the building at the launch site.
Snack Shack
Floating Safety
I’ve Never Floated The Boise River – What Do I Do?
People rent equipment at Barber Park or bring it from home and air it up at Barber Park. The park has air stations, a raft and tube rental and a shuttle bus service. The float takes approximately 1 1/2 hours (about 6 miles).
Stay Safe on the River!
Every year over 100,000 people enjoy a leisurely float down the Boise River. Please enjoy your day and keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Make sure everybody in your party can swim.
- Alcohol, drugs and the river don’t mix.
- Wear a Personal Flotation Device as they are included in your raft rental and are available upon request. State Law requires that all vessels, including rafts, kayaks, and canoes be equipped with a personal flotation device for each person in the craft and children 14 years of age and younger, onboard vessels 19′ or less, must wear an approved life jacket when the vessel is underway.
- State Code 67-7003
- “Vessel” means every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. “Vessel” does not mean non-motorized devices not designed or modified to be used as a means of transportation on the water, such as inflatable air mattresses, single inner tubes, and beach and water toys.
- 26.01.30.150 (IDAPA RULE under 67-7015)
- No person shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel on the waters of this state without carrying onboard sound producing devices as follows:
- 01. Vessels Thirty-Nine and Four-Tenths Feet and Over. A vessel of thirty-nine and four-tenths (39.4) feet or more in length shall be provided with a whistle or horn capable of making the prescribed signals provided for by 33 U.S.C. Section 2001 et seq., and a bell. The whistle or horn shall be audible for at least one-half (1/2) nautical mile, and the bell, when struck, shall produce a clear bell-like tone of full sound characteristic.
- 02. Vessels Under Thirty-Nine and Four-Tenths Feet. A vessel of less than thirty-nine and four-tenths (39.4) feet in length shall be provided with a whistle or horn capable of making the prescribed signals provided for and by 33 U.S.C. Section 2001 et seq. The whistle or horn shall be audible for at least one-half (1/2) nautical mile.
- No person shall operate or permit to be operated any vessel on the waters of this state without carrying onboard sound producing devices as follows:
- Do not take infants or small children (under 50 lbs.) on the river.
- Use the “Buddy System”.
- Make sure friends or family know when you’re going on and getting off the river.
- Wear appropriate clothes and covered shoes to protect your feet.
- If you get cold, simply get off the water.
- Be aware of your surroundings and identify your location on the river by a landmark – allowing a Rescue unit to provide assistance faster.
- If you fall into the water, stay calm, keep your feet point downstream, use your arms to ferry you across the water away from hazards, use your feet to push you away from rocks and other obstacles, and let your personal flotation device work for you.
- Leave the river cleaner than you found it.
- Do not take glass containers on the river or in the parks.
Summer Employment at Barber Park
Ada County Parks and Waterways
(Employed by A.E.S. Inc. An Employment Source)
Application (Word Doc) Application (PDF)
Seasonal Ground Worker – positions available, April through September.
- Idaho driver’s license required
- Maintain Parks grounds, bike path, and trails
- Operate small powered equipment (trimmer, mower, blower, etc.)
- Clean restrooms and empty garbage
Parking Booth Cashier – positions available for up to 12 weeks.
- Provide friendly customer service
- Operate cash registers
- Handle cash and credit card transactions
NOTE: You will be required to work weekends and holidays. Floating season runs mid-June through Labor Day, seven days a week.
Weather and/or water conditions could affect opening and closing dates.