A scenic float along the Snake River is an experience of a lifetime. Unlike whitewater rafting, scenic floats are on calmer sections of the river and there is little chance of getting wet unless it rains or you stick your hand in the water. Participants do not paddle. Rafts or boats are equipped with ponchos, binoculars and other items to make your float more enjoyable. Your guide will pilot you through the channels of the Snake leaving you to take in the surroundings and learn about the ecosystem through which you are floating. The majority of people do the scenic sections on a raft, which is the most available and cost effective.
Tours are also offered in drift or dory boats which are most often associated with fishing in this area. The scenic river tours in dory or drift boats are very enjoyable but tend to jump up in price quite substantially. These tours are private and do progress a little more at your pace and come with an exquisite riverside meal. Click, Wooden Boat River Tours, for more information.
Kayaking is also another way to explore the calmer sections of the river. Putting the paddler right on the river brings the participant closest to nature in our eyes. Kayaking will require the most effort from the individual, as you do all of the paddling. Scenic kayak tours can also be done on many of the lakes located throughout the area. Scenic kayak tours can provide access to some remote and less traveled areas.
There are many different sections of the Snake River which are available for scenic floats. We have compiled descriptions of the various river sections for you below, views vary. Please take time to find which section may interest you most. Be aware that not all companies have permits to float every section of the river, which often determines where they offer tours. The following list of river sections starts at the Northern end of the Valley and finishes in the Southern end.
Scenic Sections of the Snake River
We do not recommend Wandering Angler.
Pacific Creek to Deadman’s Bar
The most northerly section of the river to float. Departing from a short distance below the Jackson Lake Dam and ending at the Deadman’s Bar. The trip is entirely within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. Pacific Creek flows into the Snake just below your putin. Great opportunities to view wildlife abound.
Deadman’s Bar to Moose
Entirely within Grand Teton National Park as well, floating from Deadman’s bar to Moose takes one through the most central portion of the river int the park. The main cathedral group of the Teton Range dominate views of the western edge of the valley and the Sleeping Indian to the East. Wildlife is generally abundant.
Solitude Float Trips, Barker-Ewing Float Trips, Triangle X
Moose to Wilson
This section begins in the southern portion of Grand Teton National Park in the village of Moose and floats south to the town of Wilson. Few companies have permits to float this section of the river so it tends to be the least crowded. Most encounters will probably be people fishing. When floating out of the park you will pass some of the valley’s first dude ranches and have ample opportunities to view wildlife along this braided section of the river. One will also see the confluence of Gros Ventre river which merges into the Snake along this portion of the river.
Wilson to South Park
Putting on the river just outside of the town of Wilson on the western edge of the valley and finishing a few miles South of Jackson at an area called South Park. The river widens up quite a bit through this section and becomes quite braided. With its many channels this section of the river is a favorite fishing area for many bird species. The Snake River Range is directly to the west.
Teton Scenic Floats & Flyfishing, Jackson Hole Whitewater, Black Dog Raft Company
Combination Scenic/Whitewater
As the name implies, these tours are a combination of a scenic float and the whitewater section of the river. The section of your trip for the scenic float may vary from outfitter to outfitter. Some of the companies will float a scenic section of the river, take you back to the boathouse and then eat and head out for the whitewater section of the river. Other outfitters will float the scenic section of the river, pull over and have lunch riverside, then gear up and float directly down river through the whitewater section, which provides for a more seamless experience. This variability does allow for you some ability to select which part of the river you would like to float for your scenic float, if your interests lie in seeing a certain section of the river corridor. The scenic float is always done prior to running the whitewater section of the river.
General Information
Pricing for the various trips range from around $50 a person up to $60 or more per person for a private raft.
Drift boat tours will run $350 or more.
Kayaking will run around $150 per person.
The trip times will vary slightly from company to company, and trips depart at almost all hours of the day. The total time to allow for this is about 3.5 to 4 hours. You will need to check in at the outfitters office about 30 minutes before the actual time of your trip time to get waivers signed and all parties coordinated and ready to go.
Transportation is often provided.
