Welcome to the 2024 Packraft Roundup, where the South Fork Payette sets the stage for the nation's largest gathering of packrafters. Join us for five days of paddling, community and learning in the heart of Idaho. Meet new trip partners, learn about access and stewardship issues, and prioritize safety and education on the river. This is an opportunity to connect, learn and thrive in a community of like-minded people!
Google Map Location HERE
Swiftwater safety and packraft courses offered by Swiftwater Safety Institute on July 9 & 10 at additional cost.
More details below. Please read the FAQs before you register to be in the know.
We are stoked to bring you five days of fun, education, community and safety. Please note that you can snag early bird pricing until May 31, 2024. On June 1, prices for each ticket category will increase by $25. If you are not a current APA member, please purchase your annual membership along with your $150 ticket at check-out. Every person that enters the campground for RoundUp must have a ticket. Your contribution to APA's work helps offset the many volunteer hours of event planning and the meals and perks provided.
There is a non-refundable processing fee of $50 for all refunds requested after purchase is complete. A full refund less the $50 fee is available up to 14 days prior to the event. No refunds within 14 days of the event. You may transfer your registration to another participant with 48 hours notice.
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*Current APA membership is necessary for this rate and additional balance will be due upon at registration table, early bird pricing will not apply.
**Students must present a valid, current student ID at registration table from 2023/ 2024 year for discounted rate or pay additional balance for adult ticket. All kiddos < 18YO must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for all RoundUp activities.
We are stoked to have you join us for community, education, safety, fun and laughs! Please note that only those with a RoundUp ticket will be admitted into the campground and we expect to sell out. Limited space available so buy your tickets early to get a spot!
Four nights of camping and community at Hot Springs Campground
Friday night group meal with friends
Opportunity to meet/greet with APA board members and other packrafting peeps
Access to all planned RoundUp events, speakers, workshops, socials, evening gatherings, movie screenings and laughs! See schedule below.
Attend the used gear buy/sell event to find gently loved goods (great option for noobs)
Win raffle prizes and take home new gear! Huge shout-out to our amazing sponsors and donors that make the APA wheels turn.
On-water activities are NOT a sanctioned activity at the 2024 Packraft Roundup hosted by the American Packrafting Association (APA). All paddlers should seek formal instruction from a certified guide or instructor with proper insurance and training. APA dos not encourage anyone to volunteer, lead or guide any paddler as part of RoundUp due to personal liability. That being said, anyone is welcome to paddle, meet other paddling buddies and spend time on the water as a group. It shall be understood that every RoundUp participant and paddler is responsible for their own choices and safety on the water including properly researching river information in addition to any content shared on the APA website or verbally. Any paddling you choose to do will be solely on your own and at your discretion, independent of the APA RoundUp event.
Note that the schedule is subject to change.
Please kindly review the RoundUp FAQs before you register so you are in the know.
If you are new to paddle sports or packrafting and haven’t undergone formal paddling training, the basic packraft training is designed for you. Foundational skills are provided, enabling informed decision-making and understanding of craft mechanics. The training covers essential aspects such as boat inflation, outfitting, fit personalization, paddles, strokes, and self-rescue. Throughout the course, on-water practice is prioritized, allowing for navigation of class II+ to III- water and fostering a hands-on learning experience.
Led by SSI instructors Jeff Creamer and/or Karen Morse
9am - 5pm ‧ $375 per person
This course caters to recreational packrafters seeking training in swiftwater rescues techniques as they relate to packrafting. This training offers a 50/50 blend of basic rescue skills and utilizing the packraft for rescues. Expect to cover techniques like dealing with foot entrapments, throw bagging and creating makeshift boat configurations for transporting injured individuals.
Packrafting experience required.
Led by SSI instructor Dan Thurber
9am - 5pm ‧ $375 per person
Note this is a 2-day noncertification swiftwater course.
Schedule is subject to change. Thank you for rolling with the punches.
Since 2013, the APA Roundups have been the heartbeat of our community—connecting hundreds of packrafters, forging friendships and exploring new rivers across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and most recently California.
Our Roundup locations offer a diverse range of accessible river sections, catering to both beginners and experts. While the Roundups were once our main fundraising event, this year marks a shift in focus. Your ongoing support remains crucial, and we continue to rely on passionate volunteers to make these gatherings happen.
In recognition of our dedicated members, Roundup fees for 2024 will be reduced for APA Members. Join us in the adventure and consider becoming a part of the APA family!
Please contact APA to get on the volunteer contact list and we'll give you the low-down when we have more details. We don't have details prepared at the moment, but we'll email you with volunteer opportunities soon if you'd like to be added to the volunteer list. Please email roundup@packraft.org to get on the volunteer list.
Before you email us, please take a peek at the frequently asked questions below.
Volunteer-led outings are no longer sanctioned Roundup activities. Last year, APA recognized there was a gap in risk-management protocols related to volunteer-led outings. We had concerns about the capacity to thoroughly vet trip leaders and realized there was a misconception of these outings viewed as guided paddles. We hope to include clinics led by certified guides/ACA instructors in future Roundup events. However, this year we faced issues securing permits for such clinics on the Payette River.
This event originated and remains a platform for packrafters to come together and expand their packrafting community. We are committed to facilitating connections among packrafters through our nightly evening activities, fostering opportunities for participants to meet and organize paddling groups.
⚠ If you are looking for professional instruction, we recommend you register for one of the courses led by Swiftwater Safety Institute.
Our friends at Idaho River Sports in Boise rent packrafts that you can snag on your way to the campground. Backcountry Packraft Rentals will ship you a packraft to use at the event (please thoroughly clean this before and after use to prevent spread of aquatic invasive species).
⚠ If you are looking for professional instruction, we recommend you register for one of the courses led by Swiftwater Safety Institute.
The APA Roundup has a rich history of fostering inclusivity for novice packrafters. However, it's important to understand your own abilities before attempting more challenging rivers. When you step up your game in a friendly setting versus instructional setting, you are putting yourself and others at risk. The APA Education & Safety Committee is committed to providing resources on self-assessment and risk management, both for the Roundup and beyond. Empowering packrafters to make informed decisions helps us all paddle safer and smarter. We will be working on and sharing these resources leading up to the 2024 Roundup. Thank you for paddling within your limits and pursuing skill enhancement in the proper environment with qualified instructors.
⚠ If you are looking for professional instruction, we recommend you register for one of the courses led by Swiftwater Safety Institute.
Yes, well-behaved dogs are allowed but we really want to avoid awkward situations to please be sure your dog can meet high behavioral standards. Well-behaved meets the following description: verbal recall on first callback, no barking, trustworthy around other pets and other humans (especially small humans), no camp robbers, no chasing wildlife. If there is discomfort or polite request to remove your dog from the event due to repeat complaints, thank you in advance for your understanding and compliance. There will be no refunds in this situation. We love the pooches, but they are secondary to the humans' RoundUp experience, enjoyment, and learning.
Heck yeah you can! We love volunteers. You are something special and we so appreciate your generous energy and time. Sadly, some folks in the past have taken advantage of a free ticket and did not volunteer as promised, so we'll kindly ask that you sign up and purchase a ticket regularly. Then email us and we'll get you lined out with volunteer duties. We'll happily refund your ticket cost post-event and thank you profusely for your volunteer time. Thank you for understanding and cheers to the great karma you'll rack up for your good deeds.
As of March 20, we have not sorted out all the logistics for volunteers so please buy your ticket, email us to get on the volunteer list and we'll share volunteer tasks with interested folks very soon. Thanks for your patience as we get a few more details handled. Get on the volunteer list by emailing: roundup@packraft.org
Camping will be first come first serve at check in. APA does not reserve sites for people ahead of time so show up on time to get your favorite spot. APA has paid for two large group campsites for all RoundUp attendees, but you are also welcome to check the USFS site if you would like to reserve an individual site of your own (if available at your own cost). Campground details HERE.
Check out Riverpond Campground (Justin is your guy) just 4 miles down the road towards Crouch, ID on the middle fork if you have an RV or want some elbow room. You can also hunker down at Uncle Billy Bob's Redneck Trailer Vacation Rentals for added spice. They fill up fast for summer reservations so don't dally!
Parking is limited at the campground, so we encourage folks to carpool. There is an APA Packraft Roundup page where you can post about ride sharing. Limited overflow parking will be available across the road from the campsite at the municipal airstrip (grass field, in designated area). Only 20 cars max will be permitted and we kindly ask for a $20/car donation to help us offset the acces fees pretty please.
Crouch, ID is the nearest local town and where you can find Garden Valley Market, a medium-sized grocery store, for your shopping and camping needs and The Dirty Shame Saloon can fulfill your live music and other shameful needs. You can fill up your gas tank and get the essentials at Chevron Food Mart just down the road as well. Thanks for supporting the local community! NOTE: please be aware that the 2024 RoundUp campground is not far from a small airstrip and shooting range.
We'll be sharing a group campsite so thank you in advance for being conscientious. Campsite details can be found at this link HERE. There is little to no cell reception at the campsite so please plan accordingly. Nearest cell signal is the Chevron about 5 miles down the road.
BRING:
▪ Please bring your own reusable dishware, utensils or other meal-time necessities for July 12 group dinner. APA is only providing food.
▪ For your comfort during evening activities, bring a camp chair or blanket for extra seating.
▪Don't forget your swimsuit so you can enjoy a soak in the hot springs that dot the riverway.
AVOID:
▪ Please do not bring one-use plastics such as disposable water bottles, plastic silverware or non-recyclable products. Recycling will be hauled away after the event.
▪ Please do not bring glass containers if you can avoid it.
We're so glad you asked! Yes, we would love to add a few more passionate souls to our leadership line-up. You can help shape the future of packrafting and put your fingerprints all over the great work we do. Yes, there are meetings, paperwork, fundraising chores, committees, decisions and all the "business things". There is also paddling, good times, comradery, laughs and the amazing feeling of watching a young sport take off! Please talk to us at RoundUp or send us an email if you'd like to get more involved. You can also become a member at large on the Board of Directors, a Chapter honcho in your local area, or a fired-up volunteer that steps in to help as needed, when you can. We could use the help and deeply appreciate folks that can bring stoke for both paddling AND planning.
Drop us an email and we'll get back to you during business hours. Please allow 48 hours for reply.
ContactOrder your super-fly APA gear before June 1 and we'll have your awesome new gear ready for you when you check in at 2024 RoundUp. Flaunt your packraft style and tell the world how much you love this adventure sport while supporting APA work at the same time. More merch drops will be coming at you so check back often.
Psst! Prices increase after RoundUp. Snag a good deal while you can.
NOTE: please add $10 flat-rate shipping at check-out if you are NOT attending RoundUp. We will ship all orders in early July when we receive the goods. Thank you.
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