Floating the Snake River

Flowing west from its source in the 

Teton Wilderness, the Snake River enters 

Yellowstone National Park, then flows 

south through the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 

Memorial Parkway and into Jackson Lake 

in Grand Teton National Park. Regaining 

its free-flowing character downstream of 

Jackson Lake Dam, the river winds through 

the park. 

The Snake River is complex to float. The 

beauty and lack of whitewater lulls floaters 

into inattentiveness. A tangle of channels 

and constantly shifting logjams present 

unique difficulties. Accidents are common. 

Use caution when floating.

Information on flow rates and additional 

caution areas are posted at river landings 

and permit offices. Reports are updated 

weekly or whenever a significant change in 

river conditions occurs. 

Even frequent boaters on the Snake River 

should check conditions before each trip, as 

the river can change overnight. River flow 

varies greatly throughout the summer. Water 

depth averages 2 to 3 feet, but exceeds 10 

feet in some locations. Boulders and bottom 

irregularities generate standing waves up to 3 

feet high. 

Typically, spring flows will be muddy, 

extremely cold, and very high, all sections 

of the river are more difficult at this time. As 

snowmelt diminishes, volume decreases and 

waters clear. In spite of reduced flow, the 

current remains deceptively strong. 

Logjams and tight turns require boaters to 

set up maneuvers well in advance and make 

decisions early. Typically strong, upstream 

afternoon winds are can slow your pace, 

especially when canoeing.

General Information

Safety and Etiquette •Prepare boats away from launch ramps to 

reduce congestion at landings. 

•Launch when other boats are out of sight, 

and maintain this interval throughout your 

trip. 

•Excessive noise disrupts the river 

experience for other boaters and disturbs 

wildlife. Keep silent during wildlife 

encounters

•Steer clear of other boaters and anglers, 

including fishing lines.

•Rangers regularly patrol the river in 

summer. Contact river patrol rangers for 

assistance while floating. 

•Information and assistance is available 

year-round at the Craig Thomas Discovery 

and Visitor Center and at Colter Bay Visitor 

Center (May through early October) .

•Carry the following equipment an 

extra paddle or oar, a waterproof container 

with extra clothes, first aid kit and waste 

receptacle. Inflatable boats should have an air 

pump, bailing bucket, and patch kit. 

•Attach all gear securely. 

•Do not drink river water unless boiled or 

purified. 

•Swimming is not recommended in the river.

•Aquatic nuisance species are an increasing 

concern. Clean and dry boats, boots, and 

waders before entering a new body of water. 

Never empty containers of bait, fish, plants, 

or animals into park waters. Help protect 

park waterways and native fish; learn how to 

prevent the spread of exotics.

•For information on Snake River flows, call 

1-800-658-5771 or check:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wy/nwis/

Regulations • All vessels must carry a U.S. Coast Guard 

 approved personal flotation device (PFD) 

 properly fitted for each person on board. 

 Passengers under 13 years old must wear a 

 PFD.

• A non-motorized park boat permit is 

 required for each watercraft. Purchase 

 permits at Moose or Colter Bay Visitor 

 Centers. Fees are $10.00 for a 7-day 

 permit and $20.00 for an annual permit. 

 Display the permit on the port (left) side 

 stern (back).

• Boating under the influence of alcohol or 

 drugs is prohibited.

• Inner tubes, air mattresses, float tubes, and 

 similar flotation devices are prohibited.

• Motors are prohibited on the Snake River. 

 Motors may be used on Jackson Lake for 

 the Flagg Ranch to Lizard Creek section with 

 a motorized boat permit. 

• No camping or fires on the river.

• Floating is prohibited on all rivers in the 

 park and parkway except the Snake River. 

 The Snake River bottom is closed to floating 

 and public entry each year from December 

 15 to April 1.

• Floating is prohibited within 1,000 feet of 

 Jackson Lake Dam.

• A concession permit is required for all 

 commercial activity in the park.

• Report any accident with a collision or 

 injury to a ranger within 24 hours.

Grand Teton

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Grand Teton National Park

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 

Memorial Parkway
Teton

Village

GRAND

TETON

NATIONAL

PARK

River

Snake

191

26

89

Colter Bay

Visitor Center

0 1 Kilometer 5

0 1 Mile 5

North

Moose Landing

191

287

YELLOWSTONE 

NATIONAL PARK

Snake River

JOHN D 

ROCKEFELLER JR 

MEMORIAL 

PARKWAY

Flagg Information 

Station

Lizard Creek

Campground

Southgate

Launch

Flagg Ranch

Landing

Flagg

Ranch

Schwabacher

Landing

Deadman's

Bar

Pacic Creek

Landing

Bualo Fork

Ranger Station

Cattleman's

Bridge site

Jackson 

Lake Dam

89

191

287

Craig Thomas Discovery 

and Visitor Center

River Access

Information

JACKSO

N

L

A

KE

Jenny

Lake

(Launch possible 

only at high water)

revised 3/2011

Suggested Float Trips

Beginner Level 

Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek

This stretch features scenic views, calmer 

water and few obstructions. At Pacific Creek 

landing the water is swift, boaters should 

scout this landing prior to launching.

Intermediate Level 

Pacific Creek to Deadman's Bar 

This section drops significantly creating swift 

water and braided channels requiring careful 

route-finding . 

Flagg Ranch to Lizard Creek 

Campground

The braided channels make route-finding a 

challenge. The river winds for 6 miles before 

reaching Jackson Lake. Once on the lake it 

is 4 miles to Lizard Creek. Strenuous rowing 

or paddling may be required. Afternoon 

thunderstorms and winds produce waves 

that can swamp rafts and canoes. Motors 

may be used on Jackson Lake.

Advanced Level 

Deadman's Bar to Moose Landing

This is the most challenging stretch of river 

in the park, many accidents occur here. The 

river drops more steeply and the current 

increases. Complex braiding obscures 

the main channel and strong currents can 

sweep boaters into side channels blocked by 

logjams.

Moose to South Park Boundary

This section of the river is as difficult as the 

preceding section. Advanced boating skills 

are required due to fast current, braided 

channels and logjams. The park extends 5 

miles downriver of Moose on the west bank 

and 2 miles downriver on the east bank; 

there is no take out or access to the river at 

the park boundary. The next take-out is at 

the Snake River Bridge east of Wilson, WY, 14 

miles downstream from Moose.

Southgate to Flagg Ranch (Flagg Canyon)

Southgate Launch is 1/2-mile south of the 

South Entrance to Yellowstone National 

Park. Flagg Canyon is steep and narrow with 

challenging white water for rafts and kayaks. 

Heavy spring water flows create standing 

waves, haystacks, laterals, and large holes 

capable of flipping rafts. Scout the river by 

walking the Flagg Canyon Trail on the west 

bank of the river. At over 4000 cfs flow the 

rapids are Class III (not recommended for 

canoes). Below 4000 cfs, canoeing requires 

advanced white water skills.

Mileages

Southgate Launch to Flagg Ranch 0 3

Flagg Ranch to Lizard Creek 10

Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek0 5

Pacific Creek to Deadman's Bar 10 

Deadman's Bar to Moose Landing 10

Moose to Wilson 14

Wildlife

• Be Bear Aware! Proper food storage is 

required. Please check the park newspaper 

Teewinot or at any visitor center for more 

information. 

•Do not approach or disturb large animals,

such as bears, moose and bison.

• Bald eagles nest near the main channel. To 

protect this threatened species, nest areas are 

signed and closed to stopping and river bank 

use. 

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

Grand Teton

National Park

Be Bear Aware!

It all smells to a bear

Please take care

Never leave food 

or backpacks

unattended