Boating in Jackson Hole

Water Activities Plentiful For Jackson Hole Real Estate Owners

By late July, the parching sun has left the verdant hillsides of Jackson Hole yellow, the wildflowers wilted, and the tongue as dry as a stale saltine. Rarely in Jackson Hole does one complain of the heat, but a fifth straight day of 90 degrees merits a call for relief.

Time to Hit the Water
Although northwest Wyoming is better known for its bone-chilling cold and winter blizzards, the Jackson Hole valley can be quite hot and arid in summertime. The alpine desert climate would be downright hostile were it not for a serpentine stream churning through Jackson Hole.

Born in the trickles of melting snow high in the Teton Wilderness, the Snake River is America’s 10th-longest river, running roughly 1,000 miles from its origins in the Wyoming high country to its confluence with the Columbia River near Pasco, Wash. The Snake’s whispering riffles and roaring rapids provide a haven for wildlife and recreation, and the 69 miles that wind through Jackson Hole comprise one of the most scenic and pristine stretches of river in America. Close to 300,000 people float, fish and paddle the Snake each summer.

Snake River Scenery
For a first-time visitor to Jackson Hole, the best way to experience the Snake River’s grandeur is to take a guided float trip. There are three main stretches of water where commercial operators run trips: Grand Teton National Park, South Park and the Snake River Canyon. The first two are used for “scenic” tours, usually 10 or 13 miles in length and lasting about three to four hours. The Coming to visit canyon is home to the whitewater rapids, and outfitters run nine-mile trips there that take about four hours (including a 30-mile shuttle).

In the park, the Tetons tower above the river, only a mile or so from the islands and gravel bars that send the calm Snake River meandering through braided channels. The spectacular panorama is sure to drain several rolls of film, particularly during the early morning, when the light is brightest on the east-facing peaks. The Snake River corridor is rich with wildlife. Bald eagles, moose, mule deer and white pelicans are often spotted near the water, and beaver usually appear just before sunset. Otters and bears are magical yet rare sightings.

In South Park, the river flows through ranch land, national forest and some developed areas. Outfitters run 13-mile trips that generally feature a lunch or dinner stop. There are sublime views of the distant Tetons, Gros Ventre and Snake River ranges. The scenery and wildlife can’t match the park, but birds are abundant (eagles can be as common as ravens), there are fewer boats, and the trip is quiet and relaxing.

Adventure or Romance
For those thirsty for whitewater, the party is in the canyon, where a narrower channel, faster flow and a series of rock ledges produce Class II and III rapids. The spring runoff makes features such as Lunch Counter and Cottonwood rapids fearsome; Big Kahuna and Rope rear their frothy heads later in the summer, when the river settles into a sparkling emerald. With the water temperature rarely above 60 degrees, these trips are not for the faint of heart. But adventure seekers will find cool, splashing fun, along with an occasional wildlife sighting.

For a more intimate and even romantic river experience, A.J. DeRosa’s Wooden Boat River Tours offers custom trips in exquisite, hand-crafted dories made of spruce, fir and mahogany. Float as the sun rises and sets, dine on gourmet food and listen to the soothing sound of waves slapping at the wooden hulls.

Row Your Own
Those looking to row their own boat can rent rafts, canoes and inflatable “duckies.” The best stretches on the Snake River for canoeists and novice boaters are Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek – where the placid river glides through the wildlife paradise of the Oxbow Bend – and South Park to Astoria – where the current is faster but only one minor rapid, King’s Wave, challenges paddlers to stay upright.

The Snake River isn’t the only aquatic oasis in Jackson Hole. Boaters also have a variety of excursions to choose from on Jenny, Jackson, String and Leigh lakes. There is a quick shuttle to ferry hikers and sightseers across Jenny Lake to Hidden Falls, and the Grand Teton Lodge Co. offers tours (with and without meals) that whisk boaters across the vast expanses of Jackson Lake to spots such as Elk Island, in the shadow of Mount Moran. Canoeists and sea kayakers will find solitude plying the waters of String and Leigh lakes.

There is something magical about every trip on the water in Jackson Hole. The Oglala Sioux writer Zitkala Sa said the Great Spirit could be heard in the “rippling of mighty waters.” Anyone who has taken a trip on the Snake River or spent a day on the lakes will agree.

For more information on water opportunities in Jackson Hole, visit Jackson Hole Traveler's webpage on Jackson Hole boating. //