Pistol Creek Rapids is a Class III to IV rapid on the Middle Fork in Valley County, Idaho, at river mile 21.9 of the standard multi-day float trip.
The falls
One guide rates the rapid Class III to IV overall; another splits it into a Class III line on the right and a harder Class IV- line on the left, and both note a difficult scout from river right.
Getting there
The standard trip launches from Boundary Creek, reached by 26 miles of rough, narrow dirt road off Idaho Highway 21. A float permit is required year-round; 2026's lottery-controlled season runs from May 28 to September 3, with a $6 reservation fee and a $4-per-person daily recreation fee. Permitted boaters must carry a portable toilet, fire pan, fire blanket, ash container, shovel, bucket and mesh strainer, and boats need Idaho aquatic-invasive-species stickers and inspection.
When to go
The Boundary Creek access road can stay snow-blocked into late May or early June, close to the May 28 start of the permit season.
On site
Boaters scout the rapid from river right. Runnable flows, a gauge, a portage route and the take-out are not documented.
Nearby
Marble Creek Rapid is about 6.5 miles away, and Ski Jump Rapid about 6.7 miles. Powerhouse Rapids is about 7.6 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.