Float a River

One of my favorite things to do on a hot summer day in Island Park is to float one of the rivers.

There are many floating options in the Island Park area. The most popular float is on the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River from below Big Springs to Mack’s Inn. Floaters can rent rafts and tubes at Mack’s Inn and book shuttle rides to drop them off at the starting point. You can also use your own tubes, kayaks or rafts and arrange your own drop-off/pick-up.
This is an easy, family friendly float that takes about 3 hours. The water flows smooth and slow and is rarely deeper than a few feet. Floaters will often see Moose along the way and can fish for trout by drifting a fly or other bait while gently floating down the river.

Other fun places to float are the Buffalo River (easy) from above the Buffalo Campground to Pond’s Lodge or the Snake River through Box Canyon (class 2 -3 rapids) to Last Chance.

Last but not least is the section of the Snake River starting about 8 miles south of Mesa Falls at Fisherman’s Drive Bridge. This is a nice easy float down to just past Highway 21 where you get out at the County Boat Dock.