Jackson Hole Float Trips in Spectacular Grand Teton
Grand Teton was one of my favorite national parks long before I actually visited. There’s just something so mesmerizing about those distinctly rugged, craggy peaks.
As soon as we started planning a Bozeman > Big Sky > Yellowstone National Park > Jackson trip, I began researching Jackson Hole float trips.
Don’t get me wrong: There are many heavy-hitting national parks in this country. Heck, there are several heavy-hitting national parks in the western US alone! There are the magical canyons of Zion, Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome, the remote wilderness of Glacier…we could go on and on.
But for me, none of them hold a candle to the Tetons. Well, okay, maybe Glacier… Anyway, needless to say, finding the best Snake River float trip was high on my bucket list!
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Jump ahead to:
Planning the best Snake River float trip
Typical views on the best Jackson Hole float trips
As I started researching things to do in Grand Teton National Park, I remembered seeing photos of people on the water directly in front of the Tetons. I had no idea what that body of water was at the time, but I knew I needed to be there.
I quickly learned that the pictures I saw were of people on Jackson Hole float trips. As it turns out, a scenic Snake River float trip is widely considered the thing to do.
We usually avoid “touristy” attractions, preferring to explore on our own, but when in Rome, right? At least, when Rome happens to be insanely beautiful Jackson Hole.
My quest to find the best Jackson Hole float trips was a bit overwhelming at first. There are dozens of outfitters and tour companies in Jackson Hole, all promising the best Grand Teton float trips.
Almost all of them have wonderful reviews, but I noticed huge price disparities and distinct differences in people’s trip photos. Many — like ours — included head-on views of the Grand Tetons, but others, well, didn’t.
In the midst of obsessing over hundreds of Tripadvisor reviews, I finally figured out that only a few Jackson Hole float trips actually operate inside Grand Teton National Park. Aha!
Jackson Hole float trips inside GTNP
According to the National Park Service, only “authorized concessionaires” can take guests on Jackson Hole float trips within the boundaries of GTNP. The major difference between authorized concessionaires and other outfitters is their approved routes.
To put it plainly, it’s a tremendous difference.
Authorized concessionaires run their Grand Teton float trips on a 10-mile section beginning at Dead Man’s Bar and ending in Moose Landing. You’re inside the national park enjoying head-on, panoramic views of the Tetons the entire time. I can’t imagine a Snake River float trip any other way!
Can you think of any things to do in Grand Teton National Park that could possibly be better?!
The other best Snake River float trip outfitters operate their tours on a stretch just south of GTNP, through mostly private land. It’s beautiful — this is Jackson Hole, after all — but it just doesn’t compare.
Eight companies are listed as authorized concessionaires for Jackson Hole float trips, but several are private guest ranches. I consistently came across three names in my research:
Triangle X Ranch (operating as National Park Float Trips)
Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trips
After agonizing over more reviews (admittedly, I’m that girl — I don’t know how I survived before Yelp or TripAdvisor!), I settled on Triangle X float trips.
Triangle X Ranch has been offering the Snake River float trip for over 50 years, their reviews are near-perfect, and they offer both sunrise and sunset floats. In case you don’t know this about me, watching sunrises and sunsets from as many different places as possible is one of my “things.”
Triangle X float trips
Looking down on bends in the river that the best Snake River float trips travel
To be fair, I’m sure we would have had a wonderful experience on any Grand Teton float trip. At the same time, I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job than Triangle X float trips. Does that make sense?!
Our Snake River float trip was about three hours total. A Triangle X Ranch guide met us at the endpoint, then drove us to the starting point, about 15 minutes away. This way, our vehicle was right there waiting for us when we got off the boat.
We had the absolute best Snake River float trip guide. He’s a seasoned angler and a 20-plus-year Jackson native, so he was a wealth of knowledge.
Between expertly steering our raft and telling us when the best photo ops were coming up, he told us about the Tetons’ geology and taught us how to identify juvenile bald eagles.
Fun fact: they don’t get their signature white heads until adulthood. He also explained how mighty and “advanced” the Snake River is, even in the more calm section. In fact, on our Jackson Hole scenic float he pointed out a channel that wasn’t there just a few hours earlier!
Triangle X float trips generally run from mid-May to late September. Summer weather in Jackson Hole can be unpredictable, so wear layers.
You will not (**should not) get wet during your Snake River float trip. I wore leggings, a light long-sleeved top, North Face fleece jacket, Chacos, and a beanie. Halfway through, I ditched my jacket and hat. We paid $159 for two of us, plus a $40 tip — money very well spent.
If you’re looking for things to do in Grand Teton National Park, a Snake River float trip with Triangle X should be at the top of your list. They also offer guided fishing trips and although we didn’t stay at the Triangle X Ranch this trip, we got a sneak peek and it is to die for.
Looking for more things to do in Grand Teton National Park?
Our Snake River float trip was by far one of our favorite things to do in Grand Teton National Park. We hope you enjoy yours too! Don’t forget to pin this post for planning your own Jackson Hole float trips!
