Snake River river run
Snake River
The Snake River has various segments, but the most popular for whitewater rafting is the 8-mile stretch from Deadman's Bar to Moose Creek. This segment provides a scenic view of the Teton Range and features exciting class III rapids, including Big Kahuna and Lunch Counter.
One of the notable obstacles in this segment is the Lunch Counter, a class IV rapid that requires paddlers to navigate through a series of large waves and holes. The rapid is best run at higher water levels, and expert paddlers may even attempt to surf the waves.
To preserve the natural beauty of the river, there are specific regulations to the area. These include a permit system for commercial and private rafting trips, and restrictions on camping and fires along the riverbanks.
Overall, the Snake River in Idaho provides a challenging and beautiful whitewater river run experience for adventurous paddlers. It is important to note that proper safety precautions and experience are necessary before attempting this river.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Snake River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Channel Snake R @ Upper Salmon Falls Nr Hagerman | 79 cfs | → |
| Malad River Nr Gooding Id | 109 cfs | → |
| Salmon Falls Creek Nr Hagerman Id | 51 cfs | → |
| Snake River Nr Buhl Id | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Snake River At King Hill Id | 5,980 cfs | → |
| Snake River Nr Twin Falls Id | 398 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Other river runs
Parks
Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Snake River as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Snake River
What's the optimal flow for Snake River?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Snake River.