Palisade Dam to Lorenzo (South Fork)
Idaho – US
- Class
- II
- Length
- 53 Mile(s)
- Put-in elevation
- 5,384 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 4,859 Feet
- Typical season
- January to December
Current Flow
13,900 CFS
Gauge height: 9.27 FT
Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:30 PM
▼ -16.67/hr (12h) ▼ -8.33/hr (24h)
Get out there
- Primary gauge
- SNAKE RIVER NR IRWIN ID Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 1,500 |
| Average | 7,000 |
| Maximum | 15,000 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
No photos added for this run yet.
Description
Below the Palisade dam on the border of Wyoming and Idaho, the Snake River winds northeast towards the confluence with the Henrys Fork. This section is sometimes referred to as the South Fork of the Snake River. This run isn't filled with a lot of whitewater. If you are looking for good fishing, some solitude and a good multi-day float this is a great section of river to run.
As the entire float is in the state of Idaho you will be required to register your watercraft with an Idaho Invasive Species Permit. Information about this program can be obtained here: Invasive Species Idaho Info.
Note that there are designated public camping spots along the river corridor. There are also lots of privately owned ranch land in this area. Please be courteous with land owners and follow the BLM and USFS rules.
Below Conant Boat Ramp on river miles 14 to 26, camp permits and portable toilets are required.
Rapids
No rapids added yet.
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Palisade Dam | 5,384 Feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Vehicles | Follow Highway 26 north from Alpine WY. You will be contouring around the east side of Palisade Reservoir. Eventually the road will pass the dam and spillway. Shortly after there will be an access road on the West side of the road heading down to the boat ramp. |
| Put-In | Palisade Creek Access | 5,358 Feet | Yes | No | Yes | All Vehicles | Just off highway 26 just south of where the actual palisade creek drains into the snake |
| Put-In | Spring Creek Boat Access | 5,242 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | An access point exists on the west side of the snake river where Highway 26 crosses the river in Swan Valley. The bridge that crosses the river is known as the swan valley bridge. |
| Put-In | Conant Boat Ramp | 5,219 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | Conant is just off of Highway 26 about 14-15 miles downriver of the palisades dam. |
| Put-In | Fullmer Boat Access | 5,103 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | From the small town of Ririe, ID just north of Highway 26 find Archer Road (4700 E) and follow it north to where it crosses the snake river. Past the bridge a few hundred yards turn right (east) onto 10000 S. Road. Follow that to the end and then turn right on Snake River Road. Follow this road always staying near the river. It turns into Heise Road and eventually Burns Creek Road. Follow this almost to the very end where you will find a dirt parking area and boat ramp by the river. |
| Put-In | Wolf Flat Boat Access | 5,051 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | This is an unimproved access point off of Burns Creek Road. No ramp. |
| Put-In | Byington Boat Access | 5,026 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | Turn north on 175 E. off of Highway 26. Then turn right (east) on Ririe Highway and follow it to the boat ramp. |
| Put-In | Twin Bridges Boat Access | 4,946 Feet | Yes | No | Yes | All Vehicles | A campground and ramp exist on the island area just off of the Ririe-Archer highway where it crosses the snake river. |
| Take-Out | Lorenzo Boat Access | 4,859 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | This unimproved ramp and access point is right off Highway 20 where it crosses the Snake. Look for it on the Northwest side of the bridge. |
Camps
| Camp | Fee | Beach | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palisade Creek Camp | No | No | A small camp exists just to the north of the palisade creek boat access road. This camp can be accessed from the river as well as the road. Plus it is very near Highway 26 so don't expect complete solitude here. |
| PC1 Camp | No | Yes | Just below the conant boat ramp the river channels split and the river makes a right hand turn. There is a good sized island that can be camped on. The southern portion of the island is wooded and there is a small beach section on the northern section of the island. |
| PC2 Camp | No | No | On river right. A grassy river bank ledge area just before the Pine Creek drainage. |
| PC3 South Camp | No | No | |
| PC3 North Camp | No | No | on river left |
| PC4 Camp | No | No | Small public camp section on river left |
| PC5 Camp | No | No | A long stretch of bank on river left is available for camps. |
| DC2 Camp | No | No | Smaller camp on river right. |
| DC3 Camp | No | No | on river left. |
| GC1 Camp | No | No | A small island camp on river left |
| GC2 Camp | No | No | on river right |
| GC4 Camp | No | No | on river right |
| LB Camp | No | No | on river left |
| Wolf Flat Camp | No | No | Camp can be accessed from the river but is used more by car campers. |
| Kelly Island Campground | No | No | This camp can be accessed from the river as well as by car. If you had to you could also use this camp area as a put-in or take-out. |
Permit
No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.
Fishing
No fish species have been associated with this run yet.
Points of Interest
External Links & Resources
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Community Run Notes
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