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Float a raft through the whitewater of the Snake River. We are the closest raft rental outfit to
the river. We rent you the raft, and your family, or group, takes it on the highway 12 miles upriver to the put-in place at
West Table Creek boat launch site. Then you float 9 miles, about 2 hours, down to Sheep Gulch where you get out. Then
it is a simple 3 mile drive back to Riding & Rafts. If you leave early enough in the morning you can make two trips
in a day and still return your raft by 5:30 pm. All rafts must be back by 6pm or there is a late fee charge. The river has
rapids of class 1,2, and 3 (not very difficult) and is easy to float, except at high runoff stage in early June when it has
a couple of class 4 rapids. We do not recommend running it when the flow is above 14,000 cfs. If in doubt,
give us a call. In late June through August it is very easy, with a calm stretch, then a fun rapid, then a calm
stretch. Even beginners can float it; just "keep it between the banks".
Raft Trailers and Rack; We have trailers or a Raft Rack for rent for $15 that you can use to take your raft to the river. The RaftRack
requires a pickup. The trailer takes a 2 inch ball.
   
The photos above don't show the trailers very well, but you can see two of our raft trailers
to the side of the RaftRack on the truck. Usually people use our trailer or RaftRack or tie the raft onto their car,
then they take their raft upriver to West Table Creek to put in the river, then run the white-water section that is a 9 mile
float and takes almost 2 hours, then you get out of the river at Sheep Gulch. To get back to the top where you left your trailer
or pickup or car, a couple of rafters either drive a car (which they left at Sheep Gulch) back to the top, or one of
them hitches a ride with the numerous other rafters going back to the top. This isn't really like hitchhiking as
all the rafters at one time or another have hitched a ride, so they are really good about giving others a lift. I've
never been more than 5 minutes hitching a ride back to the top to get my truck.
Any group larger than 15 people and any organizational group (such as Boy Scouts or church group)
regardless of size must have a Forest Service river permit. Call them at 307-739-5400 or check online HERE The
permit is usually free.
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| The Big Kahuna rapid on the Snake River near Jackson Hole. |
Really affordable rates for summer of 2011!
Rafts:
$100 for the 14 footers (four available, will hold 5-9 man), $115 for the 16 footers (two available, will hold 7-12 man)
includes life jackets, paddles, pump, bail/waterfight bucket. Trailer or RaftRack $15, if needed. Add Wyoming sales tax of 5% to all rates. Reserve them immediately for summer 2011
(Saturdays fill up fast) by calling and giving a credit card number. We won't charge your card unless you are a
no-show. Although we take credit cards we really prefer cash.
If you change your reservation or cancel at least 10 days prior to your reserved date, there is no charge. For each
day less than 10 days ahead there is a 10% charge.
Hours: Open 8:30 to 6 Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday
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I, Maury Jones, "Jonesy" to my friends, started this business in 1988. I guided commercial
rafts for Teton Expeditions and Jackson Hole Whitewater before beginning his raft rental business, so I know the river.
I do not do guided raft trips, nor do I deliver rafts to the river. I rent you the raft and you either tie it on your
car/truck or bring your own trailer or rent one of my trailers or the "raft rack" to get the raft to the river.
Late Note: I, Jonesy, have moved on, but my good friends, Rob and Staci Hill, will take over the raft rental
business in 2012. To all my rafting friends, "Have a wet wild one on the Snake!"
Directions: From Jackson, drive south on Hwy 89/26 for 35
miles, down the scenic Snake River Canyon. You go past the whitewater section of the river where all whitewater rafters
float. If coming from Salt Lake Direction come to Afton, then 35 miles north to Alpine. If coming from Idaho Falls
direction, take Hwy 26 east and south to Alpine. At Alpine Junction there is a Chevron Station on the corner.
We are just across the parking lot to the north of the Chevron station. A little building that says Riding & Rafts
on the roof and has a billboard to the side of it that says Jackson Hole Recreation.
Mailing address;
PO Box 3851
Alpine, WY 83128
Summer phone: 307-654-9900; winter phone 307-699-5903
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