Spring is in the air! It’s only a matter of time before the weather warms up enough for Idahoans to start planning some new outdoor adventures, including plenty of whitewater activities. Most people don’t know that on top of our wonderful rivers, Idaho is home to plenty of whitewater parks where kayaking and rafting have never been more accessible. This awesome kayak park is sure to give you the thrill of a lifetime this spring and summer. Take a look. Did you know this hidden gem existed?
Kelly's Whitewater Park is located in the outdoorsy town of Cascade, Idaho. This beautiful little park is perfect for rafters, kayakers, tubers, and canoeists of all skill levels ranging from beginner to expert.
Not only is Kelly's Whitewater Park recognized as one of the coolest water sports destinations in the state, but it's widely recognized by athletes as one of the best whitewater parks in the country. It opened in June 2010 and since then has hosted two National Kayak Championships.
The eclectic park provides a variety of opportunities for playing in the water including river surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and more. This is the perfect place to brush up on your skills before conquering some of Idaho's more advanced rivers.
The park even includes a lovely trail that provides gorgeous views of the river and surrounding scenery. Kelly's is also a well-known trout habitat, so you'll often see people fishing along the river as well.
One of the coolest things about Kelly's is that it's completely free to the public. Kelly's Academy even offers kids kayak, stand up paddle, and river surfing lessons all free of charge. The school's goal is to teach children basic water safety skills along with a lasting appreciation of Idaho's beautiful rivers.
Also located in the park is a 2,600 square-foot Welcome Center that acts as a stand-alone attraction in itself. The Welcome Center is like a museum that shows the history of the region including Native American, mining, railroad, and ranching exhibits.
It's places like this that remind us how great it is to live in Idaho, where outdoor recreation is valued to such a high degree. You simply can't find amazing parks like this everywhere.
