top of page

REACH 4

Swan Falls to Celebration Park

Between Swan Falls Dam and Celebration Park, the Snake River flows through towering basalt cliffs and forms the borders of three counties.  On the north side of the river, the trip begins in Ada County, with the river entering Canyon County as it flows west into Celebration Park.  The south bank of the river is Owyhee County.

​

Built in 1901, Idaho Power's Swan Falls Dam is the oldest hydroelectric generating site on the Snake River.  Idaho Power also provides a variety of camping and picnic sites near Swan Falls, as well as boating and fishing on the reservoir.  For information about visiting Swan Falls, as well as touring the museum on site, visit Idaho Power's Swan Falls Dam webpage

​

Twelve miles downstream, Celebration Park is Idaho's archaeological park, containing a multitude of education and recreation opportunities from petroglyph tours, the Canyon Crossroads Museum, and the historic Guffey Railroad Bridge.  Celebration Park is located within the Guffey Butte-Black Butte Archaeological District, on the National Register of Historic Places.  Celebration Park is part of the Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources system.

​

This stretch of river is also home to the greatest concentration of nesting birds of prey in North America: the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.  The NCA encompasses 484,000 acres of public land along 81 miles of the Snake River in southwest Idaho.  Depending on river flows and how many stops you plan to make along the way, plan 2-4 hours to float this 10 mile section.  The river is generally flat water, but does contain two Class II rapids in this stretch, and it is not recommended for beginners.  Floats range from 3,000 cfs in the winter to 40,000 cfs in spring.  Fishing in this section is generally for smallmouth bass, catfish, trout and sturgeon.  Be aware that motorized boaters and floaters share this stretch of the Snake River.  Always wear life jackets, and be aware of the hazards posed by cold water temperatures and strong undercurrents. You can check river flows for this strech from the USGS data station 13172500 near Murphy, ID.

​

Shuttle Information:  There are no commercial shuttle services available in this area.  Plan to provide your own shuttle (12 miles one way) from Celebration Park to Swan Falls Dam.

2 states. 206 miles. 1 river.

The Idaho Oregon Snake River Water Trail Coalition is a 206 mile water trail along the Snake River in Southwest Idaho and Eastern Oregon for people to explore, respect and enjoy. A water trail is a water route that provides recreational and educational opportunities for motorized and non-motorized boaters and commercial opportunities for river communities. This trail begins at Three Island Crossing State Park, Idaho and ends at Farewell Bend State Park, Oregon.

​

Our mission:  The Idaho-Oregon Snake River Water Trail promotes river access and recreational opportunities that benefit communities, tourism and preservation of natural and cultural resources through a network of partnerships.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

CONTACT 

Alex Eells, Water Trail Coordinator

alex.eells@canyoncounty.id.gov

  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Instagram Social Icon
bottom of page