Snake River

Heart River to Lewis River

Difficulty	III
Length	18.4 mi
Avg Gradient	n/a
Reach Info Last Updated	November 9, 2020

Projects

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park Management

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.

The Wild and Scenic Upper Snake River below Heart River features spectacular scenery and moderate Class III rapids in an extremely remote canyon. If it were not prohibited, this section of the Snake River would provide an incredible and unique multi-day backcountry paddling trip for those willing to hike into Heart Lake and paddle out on the Snake.

River Features

Put In

Access PointDistance: 0 mi

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Take Out

Access PointDistance: 19 mi

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Trip Reports

Patrick Branham

Apr 29, 2022

The 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.