Activities

Grand Teton National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Grand Teton National Park John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway Floating the Snake River The River The headwaters of the wild and scenic Snake River are on the boundary between Yellowstone National Park and the Teton Wilderness. Floating the river is complex. A tangle of channels and constantly shifting logjams require boaters to anticipate their routes well in advance. Accidents are common. Please use caution and check conditions before each trip. Flow rates vary greatly throughout the year. They are posted at river landings and permit ofces weekly or when there is a signifcant change. Spring fows are very cold, fast and muddy making the river more difcult. As snowmelt diminishes, volume decreases and water clears. In spite of reduced fow, the current remains deceptively powerful. Strong, upstream afternoon winds may slow your pace. 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 fshing lines. • Rangers regularly patrol the river in summer. Contact river patrol rangers for assistance while foating. • Information and permits are available at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center and the Colter Bay Visitor Center. • Carry the following equipment: an extra paddle or oar, a waterproof container with extra clothes, frst aid kit and waste receptacle. Infatable boats should have an air pump, bailing bucket, and patch kit. • Attach all gear securely. • Do not drink river water unless boiled or purifed. • Swimming is not recommended in the river. • For information on Snake River fows, call 1-800-658-5771 or check: waterdata.usgs.gov/wy/nwis/current?type=fow. Regulations • Park Permit fee: $12 season, non-motorized. • Vessels must carry USCG approved personal fotation devices (PFDs) of the appropriate size for each person on board. Passengers under 13 years of age must wear a PFD. • A non-motorized park boat permit is required for each watercraft. Permits available at: Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center or the Colter Bay Visitor Center. Display the permit on the port side (left) in the stern (back). • Boating under the infuence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. • Inner tubes, air mattresses, foat tubes, and similar fotation 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. • All motorized watercraft shall have an efcient sound producing device on board. • No camping or fres on the river. • Floating is prohibited on all rivers in the park and parkway except the Snake River. The Snake River is closed to foating and public entry each year, December 15 to April 1 from the Bufalo Fork confuence south to Menors Ferry. • Floating is prohibited within 1,000 feet of the 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. • Pack out all trash. Aquatic Invasive Species • Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are an increasing concern. Many bodies of water are already contaminated. Clean, drain, and dry boats, boots, and waders before entering a new body of water. • Park inspection stations at Moose and Moran. • Never empty containers of bait, fsh, plants or animals into park waters. • Any watercraft transported into Wyoming March 1–November 30 requires boat inspection prior to launch, and the purchase of an AIS decal. Infatable craft less than 10 feet long are exempt. • Purchase decals at many fshing gear stores, or online: wgfd.wyo.gov. • AIS Fees Non-motorized Motorized Resident $5 $10 Non-resident $15 $30 *Pacifc Creek Landing – 2020 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK Due to construction, access will be limited. The launch will open no earlier than June 7 and will close after August 31. Southgate Launch Flagg Information Station Suggested Float Trips JOHN D Beginner Level Flagg Ranch Landing ROCKEFELLER JR PARKWAY iver MEMORIAL --1 North Sna ke R • Jackson Lake Dam to *Pacifc Creek ,. This stretch features scenic views, calmer ) water and few obstructions. At Pacifc Creek landing the water is swift, boaters should scout this landing prior to launching. (f) Intermediate Level Lizard Creek Campground I_ - GRAND 0 1 Mile I River Access N LAKE TETON 3 10 5 10 10 14 ■ 191 191 287 287 Colter Bay Visitor Center KSO PARK • 89 Advanced Level Mileages 5 Information NATIONAL 5 --, Cattleman's Bridge site Jackson Lake Dam Buffalo Fork Ranger Station iv Pacifc Creek Landing R e Jenny Lake Visitor Center er - Deadmans Bar Jenny Lake ---' I ak • Deadmans 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 may obscure 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 difcult as the preceding section. Advanced boating skills are required due to fast current, braided channels and logjams. The park extends 5 miles downstream from Moose on the west bank and 2 miles downstream 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 a half-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 fows create standing waves, haystacks, laterals, and large holes capable of fipping rafts. Scout the river by walking the Flagg Canyon Trail on the west bank of the river. At over 4000 cfs fow the rapids are Class III (not recommended for canoes). Below 4000 cfs, canoeing requires advanced white water skills. Southgate Launch to Flagg Ranch Flagg Ranch to Lizard Creek Jackson Lake Dam to Pacifc Creek Pacifc Creek to Deadmans Bar Deadmans Bar to Moose Landing Moose to Wilson 1 Kilometer JAC • *Pacifc Creek to Deadmans Bar This section drops signifcantly creating swift water and braided channels requiring careful route-fnding. • Flagg Ranch to Lizard Creek Campground The braided channels make route-fnding a challenge. The river winds for 6 miles before reaching Jackson Lake. Depending on the lake level, the trip is another 4 miles to Lizard Creek Campground. Strenuous rowing or paddling may be required. Afternoon thunderstorms and winds produce waves that may swamp canoes. Motors may be used on Jackson Lake. 0 _l Sn ,......I I / L I Moose Landing Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center '-- 1 _ I I ---'Wildlife 26 89 191 ~, ,J r / ,, I I I r::I \ r W " BEAR AWARE • Be Bear Aware! It all smells to a bear, please take care and lock it up! Proper food storage is required. Please check the park newspaper Grand Teton Guide or at any visitor center for more information. • Do not approach or disturb wildlife. Maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife. • Bald eagles nest near the main channel. To protect this species, nest areas are signed and closed to stopping and river bank use. • Ospreys and great blue herons nest near the Snake River. Do not stop near nests as these birds are also susceptible to disturbance. revised 05/2020