Snake River
Headwaters to Heart River
| Difficulty | III+(V) |
| Length | 16.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 9, 2020 |
Projects
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks contain an environment without parallel, and their rivers, in many ways, define and create the region’s dramatic landscapes. The Parks’ rivers and streams could provide a spectacular opportunity for Park visitors to experience the landscape’s natural splendor. However, all but one segment of [...]Read More
River Description
Paddling this section of the Wild and Scenic Snake River is currently prohibited by Yellowstone National Park.
Above the confluence with the Heart River the Snake River contains one challenging gorge set in a river that is more characteristically Class III. If it were not prohibited paddling this reach would offer paddlers an even more remote and adventurous trip than just paddling the reach immediately downstream. Access would be the kind of challenge exemplified by Wilderness travel and exploration. Any exploration of the headwaters would almost certainly include paddling out on the section below Heart River.
River Features
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe fact that kayaking the many navigable rivers of Yellowstone National Park is prohibited, is in and of itself, a classic example of modern hypocrisy. Is it unfounded, archaic, and rooted in ignorance. A rule that has been inherited and uncontested, supported by extraneous confounding arguments. Recreational permitting for the activity can, and will eventually be, permitted throughout the park's rivers. As older policy influences fade, unsupported and unreasonable policies will too.