Snake River Permits
The Bridger-Teton National Forest has implemented a day use fee program and large group reservation system for the Snake River Canyon. The program and reservation system will help provide financial resources necessary for maintaining facilities and managing recreational use of the Wild and Scenic Snake River Canyon in ways that enhance user experiences, provides for visitor safety, and protects the wild and scenic river values.
Fees were approved by the Forest Service Regional Office on August 30, 2024. The Bridger-Teton held two public comment periods to gain public feedback on the proposal.
A special recreation area permit will be required for recreating anywhere within the Snake River Corridor within ÂĽ mile from each bank of the Snake River, from the Hoback River confluence to 1 mile above the Alpine Junction Bridge (on the map in purple). Learn more about day use and large non-commercial group use timed reservations below.
(Click image to view map)
Snake River Recreation Day Use & Season Passes
From May 1 through November 1, Snake River users have the option to purchase a day pass via electronic pay station kiosks at Snake River boat ramps with a credit or debit card or they can purchase a season pass on Recreation.gov.
| Pass Type | Rate | How to Reserve & Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Day Pass | $5/Vehicle | Recreationists pay fee via electronic pay station kiosk at Snake River boat ramps with a credit or debit card. |
| Season Pass | $40/Vehicle $60 if purchasing 2 at once | Season passes can be purchased on Recreation.gov. Bring proof of your purchase to the Jackson Ranger District Office at 340 N. Cache St. Jackson, WY 83001, or to the West Table Boat Ramp Information Kiosk to exchange for a durable plastic hangtag. |
America the Beautiful passes do not cover these special recreation permit fees. Permit fee receipts must be displayed inside the vehicle on the dash at all times while in the special recreation area. Disabled veterans, Gold Star families, and Tribal members with documentation will not be required to pay fees.
Purchase Your Snake River Recreation Day Use or Season Pass
$5 day passes for your vehicle can be paid via electronic pay station kiosks with a credit or debit card at each Snake River boat ramp. The Recreation.gov app is required to be able to pay without cell service.
Yes, a season pass can be purchased on Recreation.gov and will be up for sale prior to May 1. One season pass costs $40 or you can buy two for $60. Bring the proof of your transaction to the Jackson Ranger District Office at 340 N. Cache St. Jackson, WY 83001, or to the West Table Boat Ramp Information Kiosk to exchange for a durable plastic hangtag. Display the hangtag on your rearview mirror while in the Snake River Recreation Area.
No, please display your permit on the dash of your car, or if you have a season pass, hang it from your rearview mirror. Compliance will be checked in parking lots throughout the day.
A permit is required for all recreational use from May 1 to November 1.
Snake River Special Recreation Area permits are being checked and enforced at the 7 developed river access points in the Snake River Canyon: Astoria, Pritchard, Elbow, East Table, West Table, Big Kahuna/Lunch Counter and Sheep Gulch. If you drive by a sign that says 'National Forest Recreation Fee Area' you are required to display proof of permit on your vehicle at that site. If you're making a quick 15-20 minute stop to stretch your legs, use the restroom or take a photo, a permit is not required.
If you have proof of a permit, e.g. a season pass hangtag on your rearview mirror, or a day pass on your dash of the vehicles associated with your float, you are good to go.
Sometimes the information kiosk at West Table Boat Ramp is unstaffed due to staffing constraints and priority work. If you planned on picking up your hangtag and no one is there, please leave your Recreation.gov receipt on your dashboard and stop by the Jackson Ranger District M-F between 8 am and 4:30 pm, or try stopping by West Table Boat Ramp again before you leave the canyon.
Season passes are available for purchase on Recreation.gov.
No. These trailheads are outside of the permit area. If there is no 'National Forest Recreation Fee Area' sign, there is no requirement to display a permit.
Large Non-Commercial Group Timed Reservations
Timed launch reservations for large non-commercial groups of 16-30 people are available on Recreation.gov for May 1 through October 1. The system provides recreationists with the ability to plan ahead and secure a timed reservation for groups of 16-30 people for the Snake River section between South Park Bridge and Sheep Gulch. Reservations will be required for large group launches and will be available in 30-minute intervals from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Groups will still be required to check in at the West Table Kiosk before launching on their trip. The new reservation system will improve the visitor experience and ensure boat ramp access is available for large groups.
| Pass Type | Rate | How to Reserve & Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Large Non-Commercial Group Use Day Pass (Groups of 16-30 People) | $3/Person, ages 16+ | Groups pay fee on Recreation.gov group reservation site |
Reserve Your Non-Commercial Large Group Permit
The Snake River Non-commercial Group Use Launch Timed Reservation system will provide visitors with the ability to plan ahead by securing a timed reservation for groups of 16-30 people for the river section between South Park Bridge and Sheep Gulch, ahead of arrival.
The Snake River Non-commercial Group Use Launch Timed Reservation system goes into effect May 1, 2025, with reservations becoming available for the entire season on April 2, 2025, at 8 a.m. (MT). The season runs annually from May 1 through October 1.
The Snake River Non-commercial Group Use Launch Timed Reservation system will improve visitors’ safety and experience by providing timeslots available for reservation in advance to ensure boat ramp access is available for large groups.
Since 1998, permits for groups of 16-30 people have been required on the Snake River. Traditionally, people have sought permits for this section of Snake River through a manual application process, submitting requests by email or phone to the Jackson Ranger District. Staff would manage reservations manually, contacting visitors at least five days (sometimes longer) after their application was received to finalize the reservation. With the move to Recreation.gov, visitors will see real-time availability and confirm their trip immediately.
Timed reservations for non-commercial groups of 16-30 people for the Snake River corridor between South Park Bridge and Sheep Gulch will be available on Recreation.gov up until two weeks prior to the desired launch date. Each reserved timeslot allows access to the West Table boat ramp or any boat ramp within the corridor for 30-minutes only. Groups must stick to their assigned launch times. Failure to do so is a violation of the reservation, and you may be turned away at the ramp.
You may reserve up to two timeslots per day for no more than two consecutive days per permitted group. This allows other large groups to have access to the river. Forest Service staff will monitor reservations to ensure the two-day consecutive rule is not exceeded. Groups found abusing the system will forfeit their reservation, no refund will be provided, and they will receive a citation and/or be asked to leave the river.
There is a 30-person maximum allowed to float at one time per timed reservation. For example: if your group is 60 people, you can launch the first 30 at your first reserved time and the second 30 at your second reserved time.
Citations are issued to all persons violating the timed reservation requirements, including one large group launching separately under 16 people and rejoining each other on the river, institutional groups posing as non-commercial groups, and persons being untruthful or abusive to ramp personnel. Violations are punishable by up to six months in jail, and/or a $5,000 fine.
The river management office changed this rule to enable more opportunities for others to float the river.
Group use will be limited to no more than four rafts (duckies and kayaks may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to sm.fs.jd_srp@usda.gov for any exceptions regarding watercraft).
The Forest allows two large group launches per day. You may only hold reservations for a maximum of two consecutive days per permitted group. This allows for other groups to have access to the river. Groups found abusing the system will forfeit their reservation, no refund will be provided, and they will receive a citation and/or be asked to leave the river.
Step 1: Log in or create an account on Recreation.gov
Step 2: Secure your desired day and entry time. Reservations can be made beginning April 2, 2025, and up to two weeks in advance of your arrival date. There is a $3 recreation fee (site pass) per person over the age of 15 per day and a $2 non-refundable reservation fee. Note: If your plans change, please cancel your reservation as soon as possible to make space for others.
Step 3: If you want to reserve a second launch that day, reserve that time, but do not pay for the $3 site pass a second time – it is only required to be paid once per day.
Step 4: If you want to reserve a second day of launches, return to the reservation page and select the next day. Since the $3/person site pass is per day, select that option, enter the number of people over the age of 15 and pay your fee for the day. If you want to do two launches on that day, reserve that time but do not pay the $3 fee twice.
Step 5: Arrive at the Snake River Corridor with your group at the designated timeslot. Forest Service staff will validate your reservation – be ready to show proof of your reservation by displaying a paper copy of your ticket reservation or a digital copy. Internet connectivity is limited in the corridor, so print or download your ticket before you arrive. Groups must stick to their assigned launch times. Failure to do so is a violation of the reservation, and you may be turned away at the ramp.
There is a special recreation permit fee (site pass) that costs $3 per person over 15 years of age, and a $2 non-refundable reservation fee. Please note that the site pass is good for the whole day. If you reserve a second launch times, do not pay the $3/person permit fee again.
Yes. America the Beautiful Passes exempt holders from paying standard amenity fees and certain discounts on some expanded amenity fees. They do not cover special recreation permit fees. Please be sure to pay the site pass fee of $3/person over 15 years of age.
No, large groups are required to pay the $3/person over 15yo/day recreation fee and DO NOT PAY for a site pass when they arrive at the boat ramp.
Visitors may secure up to two timed reservations per day, and for a maximum of two consecutive days. Each timed reservation is valid for a group of 16-30 people. The reservation holder must be present at check-in.
No, groups of 1-15 people do not need to get a timed reservation. Smaller groups will pay for a day use permit at one of the electronic payment station kiosks at boat ramps or purchase a seasonal permit on Recreation.gov. The Snake River Non-commercial Group Use Launch Reservations are only required for groups of 16-30 people.
No, timed reservations cannot be sold, auctioned or transferred.
No, there are no refunds for varying water levels. It is up to you to check the water levels before you go and be prepared for the conditions. The river can be very different depending on how high or low the water is, creating new challenges every day. Get current river flows and make sure your skills and experience are ready for what the river has to offer for the day. Even though you may have floated this portion of the Snake River many times, the water levels and conditions may differ. Making sure your skill and experience level matches that of the section you plan on floating and bringing plenty of safety equipment including suitable life jackets, throw ropes, spare warm clothing, etc., can help make for a successful float.
Overnight use is prohibited at the boat ramps and camping outside of designated campgrounds is prohibited in the corridor from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There are several designated campgrounds in the Snake River (East Table, East Table Group, Little Cottonwood Group, Station Creek, Station Creek Group and Wolf Creek). Visit the Bridger-Teton National Forest website for more information about camping in the Jackson area.
Pets are welcome but must always be on leash at all boat ramps.
Recreation fees are waived on fee-free days. The non-refundable $2.00 reservation fee still applies. Fee-free days are as follows:
- June 14 (National Get Outdoors Day)
- June 19 (Juneteenth)
- Wyoming Kids Fishing Day (first Saturday in June)
- July 4 (Independence Day)
- Labor Day
Groups over 15 showing up at the river without a timed reservation will be turned away. Reservations are only available on Recreation.gov.
Reservations can be made by calling Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777. The Recreation.gov call center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (MT). Proof of reservation will still be required at your time of visit. Paper copy or digital ticket downloads are accepted.
Yes, a Recreation.gov account is required to make a reservation.
Yes. Please print your time reservation ticket prior to arriving at the boat ramp.
When you arrive, please check in at the information kiosk at the West Table Boat Ramp. If the information kiosk is unstaffed, please display your permit on the dash of your car and launch at your designated time.
Timed reservations will not be for sale onsite. You can reserve a ticket beginning April 2, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. MST and up to two weeks prior to your desired arrival date.
Large groups are required to pay a $3 site pass fee per person over 15 years of age. This fee is for a special recreation area permit that is required for recreation on the Snake River. This fee is only paid once per day – if you are reserving two launch times on the same day, you only need to pay the per person fee once.
Vault toilets and parking are available at each boat ramp. At West Table Boat Ramp there is an information kiosk that is typically staffed with maps and some interpretive items available for sale.
There are plenty of great hiking trails in the area, and the Alpine Reservoir has great opportunities for water-based fun. Please call or visit the Jackson Ranger District or the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center for other ideas on what to do with a large group.
Please cancel your reservation on Recreation.gov as soon as you know you won’t be able to use it. Timed reservations that have been canceled will reappear on the reservation system, allowing other visitors the opportunity to visit the Snake River corridor. Please note, the $2 reservation fee is non-refundable.
Do you have a river based recreation business in the area?
Download the one-page Snake River Fees handout. The handout includes information and QR codes for Snake River recreation fees, day use passes, season passes, and large non-commercial group timed reservations.