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North America Tours Snake River Cruise

Best Things to Do in Snake River

Iconic Attractions & Hidden Gem Travel Experiences

Snake River

The Snake River, a tributary of the Columbia River, courses more than a thousand miles through the Pacific Northwest and is a particularly popular destination for river rafting through the Hells Canyon section between Idaho and Oregon, the deepest river gorge in North America. You’ll also find the largest whitewater rapids in the Pacific Northwest along this stretch, known for its wildlife, Native American history, and scenic mountains and camping areas.

Top Snake River Experiences

Diverse Experiences on Snake River Cruises

An extraordinary adventure awaits you on your Snake River cruise as you immerse in the local culture and explore historical landmarks at different ports, meet the friendly locals at quaint river towns, or soak in breathtaking views of the rugged landscapes, majestic mountains, and wildlife-rich riverbanks from the deck.

  • Exploring historical landmarks at each port of call
  • Attending cultural events and festivals in river towns
  • Sampling local cuisine and specialties
  • Taking guided walking tours of historic districts
  • Visiting museums and interpretive centers along the river
  • Participating in onboard lectures and presentations about the region's history and wildlife
  • Enjoying wildlife watching from the deck, including birdwatching and spotting river otters and beavers
  • Taking scenic hikes or nature walks in the surrounding landscapes
  • Joining optional shore excursions to nearby attractions and natural wonders
  • Relaxing and unwinding with onboard amenities such as spa treatments or yoga sessions

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Things to do in Snake River - Expert’s guide

Snake River offers many experiences to many different kinds of travelers. From wildlife enthusiasts to adventure seekers, there is something for everyone. Below are some of the can’t miss sites that all travelers need to see.

Hells Canyon

Hells Canyon, Idaho, USA.

Snake River flows through Hells Canyon which is located along the border of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. A fun fact: Hells Canyon is even deeper than the Grand Canyon.

Travelers can find many fun activities to do here at Hells Canyon. They can go fishing, jet boating, hunting, hiking, white water rafting and camping. This is a great destination for travelers who enjoy the great outdoors and staying active.

Because most of the activities are linked to the Snake River and include white water rafting, the best time to visit this area is during the summer months. That icy water is perfect in the hot summer days when the sun is shining on you.

Kirkwood Historic Ranch

For the history lover, the Kirkwood Historic Ranch is perfect for you. This destination is rich in Native American and pioneer history. Travelers can get a glimpse into what life in the canyon would have been like in the 1930’s. The original ranch house and other buildings remain for travelers to explore.

There’s also a museum to dive even deeper into the rich history of the destination. However, for the more active traveler, there's some hiking involved in this visit. To get to the Carter Mansion there is a short ¾ mile hike.

Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon cityscape.

Many Snake River cruises often depart from Portland, Oregon which gives travelers a chance to see the area before they go. There’s something here for everyone from the history buff to the wildlife lover.

For active travelers, make sure to visit Forest Park. This park is an urban forest reserve and offers beautiful scenery as you go walking through the 8 mile stretch of the park. Animal lovers would enjoy going to the Oregon Zoo where they can see approximately 1,955 animals which includes their new addition of African Elephants.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park.

Grand Teton National Park is the perfect destination for travelers looking for nature and wildlife experiences. With valleys, mountains, meadows and lakes there’s a wide array of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast.

Travelers can expect to go wildlife watching, kayaking, fishing and hiking. For the photographer, there is great beauty just waiting to be captured.

Snake River Canyon

Filled with stunning waterfalls, Snake River Canyon is a must see for any traveler cruising down the river. Besides the breathtaking views of the canyon, travelers can look forward to the Evel Knievel Jump Site and the Twin Falls Love Lock Fence. These are great for the more adventurous traveler who wants an experience they will never forget.

However, for a more relaxing and nature immersing experience, try following one of the many scenic trails.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone national park is a great stop on any Mississippi River cruise as it's the first national park in the world. This is a great destination for active travelers and nature lovers alike. There’s a wide range of activities including hiking, wildlife watching, photography and biking. Other more adventurous experiences include horseback riding and just pure independent exploring.

Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls.

Shoshone Falls is a stunning waterfall on Snake River. Sometimes called the "Niagara of the West”, it has a playground, hiking trails, picnic areas and swimming areas. It’s a great destination for any traveler as it’s exciting for the adventure seeker and family friendly.

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Snake River Tours Reviews & Ratings

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Jason
·
2019-11-28
Written on
Salmon River Rafting by ROW Adventures
Amazing adventure!
I have been on many whitewater adventures and this experience with ROW was TOP NOTCH! From initial contact to the follow-through after the trip, ROW provides a superior level of service. The beaches were phenomenal, guides were fun and knowledgable, and the food was fantastic! I would highly recommend this trip to everyone from first-timers who have never camped, to the seasoned professionals who appreciate being catered to. ROW IS AMAZING!
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Jacqueline
·
2019-09-02
Written on
Rafting Hells Canyon by ROW Adventures
Hells canyon
We just returned from a 3 day adventure on the Snake River for a family trip. We had a great time. The guides we're so much fun and very knowledgeable about the river and the area's history. The food was plentiful, nutritious and really good. The river and mountains were abso!utely gorgeous! The only minor issues had were my misunderstanding of the setting up and taking down of camp. I assumed that when they said they would set up the tent, that our belongings would be with the tents. We had to carry out bags (which for me were quite heavy) up to tents and back down the staging area every morning and evening. Also, it would have been nice to have another kayak so we could have more time with it. Even with these minor issues the trip was well worth going and was a total blast. i would definitely book another adventure through them if/when I can.
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Cathy
·
2019-08-01
Written on
Family Magic Rafting Trip by ROW Adventures
An Amazing Family Bonding Experience
I took my Granddaughter who was 14 at the time on the Family Magic trip down the Salmon and with the help of ROW made my little city girl into an adventures outsdoorsies, curious young lady. She loved the planned activities for the children and had the best time camping and hiking on the beautiful white sandy beaches each night. We even slept outside our tent one night to stare at the stars. The river is so peaceful and absolutely breathtaking. The guides and the river jester that ROW had taking care of us for 5 days, all were super helpful, knowledgable, fun, safe and just all-around amazing people. Can I just say, "the food was extremely delicious and the guides are Wizards with a Dutch Oven!" SOOOOO much fun for all of us. From the beginning to finish the logistics were effortless and ROW was always there to answer any questions I had. I highly recommend ROW Adventures for an amazing time and a bonding experience you aren't soon to forget!!.
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Lori
·
2019-08-01
Written on
Rafting Hells Canyon by ROW Adventures
Wonderful Trip on the Snake River
A few years back I booked with Row Adventures and was glad I did! Not only did I love Hells Canyon and rafting the Snake River, but I loved all the extras Row incorporated into the trip! The off-river adventures were informative and fun. The guides were knowledgeable on all aspects of what we did and provided a safe and wonderful atmosphere! They even set up our tents!! The food was amazing!! I did this trip as a solo traveler and it was perfect for me! Thanks for the memories!
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TS
·
2017-08-20
Written on
Family Magic Rafting Trip by ROW Adventures
Best Vacation Ever!
The Family Magic Trip down the lower Salmon River in August was AMAZING! The guides were awesome! So knowledgeable, funny, and resourceful. The food was better than most restaurants and my kids loved it (as did I)! The River Jester (Lily) was such a sweet yet stern and fun lady that kept the kids entertained and they loved her. They setup camp for us each day at these amazing beaches! I have never been rafting, and they were there to make it seem easy and doable! I loved that they taught us about the local history and environments. A stop at Spalding was awesome start to the trip! I enjoyed the paddle boats, inflatable kayaks, and the oar boats. I even became part of the swim team but it was a good experience having the guides there to ensure our safety. I loved cliff jumping, the short hikes, swimming the rapids, and swimming in the river with the kids. The time with friends and family was great. It was so relaxing and good to meet so many different people I feel that I can call my friends now. Best part was sleeping under the stars with my family hearing the rushing river next to us. The guides made the trip so personal and they were caring! Thanks so much Mark, Max, Connie, Jonas, Curtis, Lily, and Bethany! Absolutely recommend going on a trip with ROW and I plan to with my children again, it was worth every penny! Thanks Jason for helping plan the trip for me!
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KS
·
2015-08-06
Written on
Family Magic Rafting Trip by ROW Adventures
There is no better getaway than somewhere with ROW
We just got back from a Family Magic Trip thru the SRC...our 3rd trip with you guys (and the first with the kiddos). We've done the Middle Fork, the Rogue and now this. We're hooked and are already talking about where to go next. You guys are phenomenal and then some. It's the only kind of trip I ever want my kids to take...and appreciate the real things in life. ✌️
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