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| Boating Guide | Fishing Guide | Rafting Guide |
Boating
All vessels must be registered with the park annually. A small fee is required. Permits may be purchased at Visitor Centers or Ranger Stations. Lakeshore campsites are located on Jackson Lake, and for canoes, on Leigh Lake. Camping is not permitted on the rivers.
Place the sticker on the port (left) side of the vessels, approximately one foot forward of the stern (rear of the boat). State registration for motorized vessels (greater than 5hp) is required prior to obtaining a park sticker.
Required Equipment
Lifesaving Equipment
All vessels must carry a US Cost Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board. PFD's must be accessible and in good working condition. PFD's should be worn while on water.
Lights
Every vessel must use navigation lights when underway from sunset to sunrise.
Fire Extinguisher
All motorboats must have at least the minimum number of hand portable fire extinguishers required by the US Coast Guard.
Signaling Device
Motorboats must have an efficient whistle or air horn for making an effective signal.
Suggested Equipment
Bailing Bucket
All boats should carry a bailing bucket, in addition to bilge pumps and automatic bailers.
Oars
All boats shorter than 16 feet should be equipped with oars or paddles as a second means of propulsion.
Waste Receptacle
All vessels should have a waste receptacle on board. Dispose of trash in garbage cans or dumpsters. Draining, dumping or discharging wastes or refuse, including human wastes into park or parkway waters is prohibited.
Open Waters
Motorized boats are allowed only on Jackson, Jenny and Phelps Lakes. On Jenny Lake, the use of motor that exceeds 8 horsepower is prohibited, except for authorized concessioners operating by authority of the Superintendent.
Non-motorized boats (human powered vessels) are permitted on Jackson, Jenny, Phelps, Emma Matilda, Two Ocean, Taggart, Bradley, Bearpaw, Leigh and String Lakes and on the Snake River 1,000 feet below Jackson Lake Dam. Only human-powered rubber rafts, canoes, dories and kayaks are allowed on the Snake River within the park and parkways.
All other waters within the park are closed to watercraft, including Pacific Creek, Buffalo Fork and the Gros Ventre River.
Prohibited Operations
Operating while under the influence of intoxicants or narcotic drugs.
Operating a vessel in the excess of 5 mph or creating a wake in areas designated "No Wake; speed 5 mph".
Operating in a reckless or negligent manner; operating in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any other person or property.
Operating motorized craft within 100 feet of other watercraft, for example, operating jet skis in the wake of other boats; approaching canoes closer than 100 feet.
Operating while any person is riding on the gunwales, transom or on the decking over the bow while the vessel is underway.
Carrying passengers for hire or in any other commercial operation within the park or parkway, unless written authorization has been granted by the Superintendent.
Operating within 500 feet of any designated swimming area, except within marked channels where slow speed must be maintained.
Operating a vessel within 100 feet of a diver's marker, downed skier or swimmer.
Operating a vessel that exceeds a noise level of 82 decibels measured at a distance of 82 feet.
Leaving any vessel unattended outside of designated mooring or beaching areas for more than 24 hours without prior written permission from the Superintendent. Any vessel so left may be impounded.
Overnight mooring or beaching of boats on the shore of a designated harbor area, except in an emergency. Park concession operators are excepted from this prohibition.
Wildlife
Many kinds of animals are attracted to habitats adjacent to waterways. For your safety, do not approach or disturb any large animals, including moose, bison and bears. Birds such as ospreys, great blue herons and bald eagles nest near water. Bald eagle nest areas along the Snake River are signed and are closed to riverbank use. Do not fish near any nest as birds are susceptible to disturbance while nesting.
When fish cleaning and disposal facilities are not provided, dispose of fish entrails by puncturing the air bladder and dropping entrails into deep water.
Rafting the Snake River
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Solitude Float Trips - Authorized Concessionaire of Grand Teton National Park - Scenic Float Trips
Rafting the Snake River offers a chance to experience an outstanding natural area. Flowing west from its source in the Teton Wilderness, the 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 at the Jackson Lake Dam, the river winds through the park.
The Snake is a complex river to float. The beauty and lake of whitewater often lull floaters into inattentiveness. A tangle of channels and constant shifting of logjams present difficulties found on few whitewater rivers. Accidents occur often. Use caution whenever you float.
Information on flow rates and additional caution areas are posted at river landings, visitor centers, the Rockefeller Parkway and Buffalo Fork Ranger Station. Reports are updated weekly or whenever a significant change in river condition occurs. river flow varies greatly throughout the summer. Water depths average 2 to 3 feet, but exceed 10 feet in a few locations. Boulders and bottom irregularities cause standing waves up to 3 feet high. Typically, spring flows will be muddy, extremely cold and very high, increasing the difficulty of all river sections. As snowmelts diminishes, volume decreases and waters clear. In spite of reduced flow, the current stays deceptively strong. Logjams and tight turns remain. Always set up maneuvers well in advance and make decisions early. Take into consideration traditionally strong upstream winds, especially when canoeing.
The quality of float trips depends largely on the wilderness of the river. The very presence of other boaters threatens this quality. Help preserve the tranquility of the river scene. Reduce congestion at landings by preparing craft away from launch slips. Launch when other boats are out of sight, and maintain this interval throughout the trip. Excessive noise disrupts the solitude others seek. Silence is especially important when passing wildlife. When encountering other boaters and anglers, respect their rights by steering clear of their boats and lines.
Rangers regularly patrol the river during the summer. Patrol boats carry first aid gear and two-way radios. If you have any questions or need assistance contact the River Patrol Rangers. Information and assistance are available year round at the Moose Visitor Center and in the summer (May through Sep) at the Buffalo Fork Ranger Station in Moran, the Rockefeller Parkway Ranger Station at Flagg Ranch and the Colter Bay Visitor Center.
Equipment
Do Not drink the water unless you boil or treat it first. Swimming in the river is NOT recommended.
Regulations
Wildlife
Many kinds of animals are attracted to habitats adjacent to waterways. For your safety, do not approach or disturb any large animals, including moose, bison and bears.
Ospreys and great blue herons nest near the Snake River. Do not stop as birds are susceptible to disturbance while nesting.
Bald eagle nest areas along the Snake River are signed and are closed to riverbank use.
Suggested Float Trips
Beginner Level
Jackson Lake Dam to Cattleman's Bridge; Cattleman's Bridge to Pacific Creek
These stretches provide scenic views, calmer waters and the fewest obstructions. Fast water at the Pacific Creek landing requires boaters to land their craft in quiet waters about 100 yards upstream from the actual landing.
Intermediate Level
Pacific Creek to Deadman's Bar
More difficult than the preceding section, this stretch of river drops significantly, increasing the current. Braided channels make route finding difficult and requires more skill. Boating experience on lakes has proven to be of little help to run rivers on the Snake.
Flagg Ranch to Lizard Creek Campground
The braided channel makes route finding a challenge. After the Snake River winds through the Rockefeller Parkway for 5 miles, it flows into Jackson Lake. During the remaining 4 miles on the lake, the predominant southwest winds can be moderate to strong and strenuous rowing or paddling is required. Afternoon thunderstorms and strong lake winds can produce high waves that can swamp rafts and canoes. Motorized craft are prohibited on the river, however, motors can be carried on vessels and used on Jackson Lake.
Advanced Level
Deadman's Bar to Moose Landing
Most river accidents occur in this section, the most challenging stretch of the river in the park. The river drops more steeply, with faster flows than in other sections south of Pacific Creek, giving boaters very little time to maneuver their craft. Complex braiding obscures the main channel. Strong current can sweep boaters into side channels blocked by logjams.
Moose to South Park Boundary
This section of the river is as difficult as the proceeding section. Fast moving water, braiding, channel sections, logjams and route finding require advanced boating skills. The park boundary extends 5 miles down river of Moose on the west bank and 2 miles down river on the east bank; there is no take out or access to the river at the park boundary. The next take out is at Wilson, 12 miles downstream from Moose.
Southgate to Flagg Ranch
Southgate Launch is .5 mile south of the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The river slopes steeply and the narrow riverway provides challenging whitewater for rafts and kayaks. In spring, increased water volume creates large standing waves, haystacks, laterals and large holes capable of flipping rafts. It can be scouted by walking the canyon rim trail along the west bank of the river. During flows greater than 4000 cfs, the whitewater rapids are Class III and are not recommended for canoes. Below 4000 cfs, only canoeists with advanced white water skills should attempt this section.
| Area | Mileage |
| Southgate Launch to Flagg Ranch | 3.0 |
| Flagg Ranch to Lizard Creek Campground | 10.0 |
| Jackson Lake Dam to Cattleman's Bridge | 2.0 |
| Cattleman's Bridge to Pacific Creek | 3.0 |
| Pacific Creek to Deadman's Bar | 10.5 |
| Deadman's Bar to Moose Landing | 10.0 |
| Moose to Wilson | 12.0 |
Fishing
A Wyoming fishing license is required to fish in the park. Non-resident 1 day, 5 day, 10 day and season licenses are available at local sporting stores. Non-residents under 14 years of age and accompanied by a person possessing a valid Wyoming license may fish free. Fish caught by persons under 14 are included in the accompanying adult's creel limit.
Legal Fishing Tackle
Two rods or poles may be used. Each line may have no more than three single or treble hooks, flies, or lures attached. The anglers must be in attendance. Any fish that anglers choose not to keep must be carefully and immediately returned to the waters from which they were taken.
Prohibited Actions
Using or possessing fish eggs (real or artificial) or corn for bait.
Chumming or placing other food or other substances in any waters to feed or attract fish.
Digging for or collecting any bait.
Snagging and speargun fishing.
Fishing from any bridge used by vehicles, boat docks, or within the limits of designated mooring areas and swimming beaches.
Creel and Size limits
It is illegal to possess fish that violate the creel limit or size limit for that water.
Snake River from 150 feet below the Jackson Lake Dam downstream 1000 feet to the gauging station and the Snake River from the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park downstream to Jackson Lake.
Limit is 3 trout per day or in possession.
Only one trout may exceed 20 inches,
Snake River from the gauging station 1,000 feet below the Jackson Lake Dam to Wilson Bridge (WY Highway 22 bridge).
Limit is 3 trout per day or in possession.
All trout 12 to 18 inches must be returned to the water immediately
Buffalo Fork and Pacific Creek
Limit is 3 trout per day or in possession
Only one trout may exceed 12 inches
Only artificial lures or flies may be used
Jackson, Jenny, and Leigh Lakes
Limit is 6 trout per day or in possession.
Only 1 trout may exceed 24 inches.
All other open waters including the Gros Ventre River, Ditch Creek, and Spread Creek
Limit is 6 trout per day or in possession.
Only 1 trout may exceed 20 inches
Whitefish
The creel limit is 50 per day or in possession; open season 01 Apr - 28 Feb on the Snake River. The Snake River bottom from Moose north to Moran is closed to public access from 15 Dec - 01 Apr
Flies, Lures, and Bait
Using any fish or fish parts is prohibited in all park areas except on Jackson Lake
Snake River from the gauging station 1,000 feet below the Jackson Lake Dam to Wilson Bridge (WY Highway 22 bridge): only artificial flies and lures may be used.
The following dead, non-game fish may be used or possesses as bait on Jackson Lake and along the shores of Jackson Lake: redside shiner, speckled dace, longnose dace, Piute sculpin, mottled sculpin, Utah chub, Utah sucker, bluehead sucker, and mountain sucker.
Worms, grasshoppers, crickets, other insects, and artificial lures may be used in all other park and parkway waters.
Closed Areas
The following waters are closed to fishing:
The Snake River for a distance of 150 feet below the downstream face of Jackson Lake Dam, Swan Lake, Sawmill Ponds, Moose Ponds, Hendrick's Pond, Christian Ponds, and Cottonwood Creek from the outlet of Jenny Lake downstream to the second bridge (south of the Jenny Lake parking area, near the climbing guide office).
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