Wyoming | Snake River Canyon / Alpine

Snake RiverWest Table Boat Ramp to Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp

A guarded 8.5-mile Class III Snake River Canyon run between the USFS West Table and Sheep Gulch ramps.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 8.5 river miles
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 2–4 hours plus scouting and shuttle
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Snake River flows through the Grand Teton corridor in Wyoming.
River contextSnake River in Grand Teton National Park; same-river context, not current endpoint conditions river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Grand Teton National Park / NPS

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
DifficultyhardPublished difficulty is a planning classification, not a safety guarantee. Scout current hazards and keep a conservative turnaround rule.
PermitsCheck posted rulesRecreation.gov large-group permit/fee rules may apply; AIS, PFDs, parking, Forest Service restrictions, and current ramp status apply.
CampingDay tripNo high-use dispersed camping is assumed on the run. Use designated Forest Service campgrounds or an authorized nearby basecamp and confirm group-size rules.
SeasonMay-SepPlan for late spring through early fall only after checking the live gauge, weather, water temperature, wind, debris, and land-manager notices. Shoulder-season ice, snow, and cold water can make a nominally open launch unsafe.

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Access and shuttle

A guarded 8.5-mile Class III Snake River Canyon run between the USFS West Table and Sheep Gulch ramps.

Access map

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Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

West Table Boat Ramp

Use only the named public or land-manager access; a nearby shoreline is not proof of a legal launch.

Finish

Take-out

Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp

Confirm seasonal gates, parking, fees, permits, AIS inspection, carry path, and take-out status immediately before the trip.

Road shuttle

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named public or land-manager access; a nearby shoreline is not proof of a legal launch.
  • Confirm seasonal gates, parking, fees, permits, AIS inspection, carry path, and take-out status immediately before the trip.
  • Private banks and easements may constrain landing, scouting, camping, or portage; remain within the authorized corridor.

Watch for

  • Class III rapids, strainers, cold water, and changing level
  • limited cell coverage and delayed rescue
  • permit/group-size, road, and ramp restrictions
  • 6,500 cfs preferred lower cue; 9,000–13,000 cfs optimal surfing; 10,000–12,000 cfs may become Class IV big water

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

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Hourly forecast

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Short-route forecast

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Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Official route corridorWest Table Boat Ramp to Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp; About 8.5 river miles

    USFS/Recreation.gov Snake River Canyon access identifies the access pair and operational character.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 13022500 — Snake River above reservoir near Alpine, WY

    Gauge is on the named river corridor.

    Source

  • Threshold postureMinimum-only planning cue (floor 1800; preferred cue 6500)

    American Whitewater documents 6,500 cfs as a good Lunch Counter surfing level and 9,000–13,000 cfs as optimal; its exact reach uses the same Alpine gauge. A secondary AW/USGS-derived gauge panel lists 1,800–20,000 cfs as runnable. Paddle Today records 1,800 cfs as a conservative planning floor and 6,500 cfs as a preferred lower cue; neither is a safety guarantee, and spring 10,000–12,000 cfs can produce Class IV big water.

    Source

  • Public access controlWest Table Boat Ramp to Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp

    Named agency/park access points are retained, including any intentional parking or campground offset from the shoreline.

    Source

  • Safety and land managementPFD, AIS, water temperature, current hazards, and current closures govern the decision

    Review current agency rules, dam/release notices, wind, debris, and private-bank restrictions before launching.

    Source

  • Camping classificationnearby_basecamp

    No high-use dispersed camping is assumed on the run. Use designated Forest Service campgrounds or an authorized nearby basecamp and confirm group-size rules.

    Source

  • Image decisionNPS Snake River corridor context photograph

    This photo shows the river elsewhere, not every point in this reach.

    Source

  • Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access card

    Adjacent cards have different launch/take-out pairs, operational boundaries, difficulty, or trip length; no duplicate corridor was found in the Wyoming baseline.

    Source

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Snake River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the West Table Boat Ramp to Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp route on the Snake River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the West Table Boat Ramp to Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp route on the Snake River start and end?

This route starts at West Table Boat Ramp and ends at Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp, about 8.5 river miles on the water.

Is the West Table Boat Ramp to Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp route on the Snake River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.