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What is a water trail?
Water trails are boat routes suitable for canoes, rafts and kayaks as well as recreational motorized watercraft. Like pedestrian, equestrian and bicycle trails, water trails are corridors connecting recreational destinations. Water trail amenities include river access sites, boat launches, day-use and fishing areas, and campsites. In addition to recreation, water trails provide venues for educational experiences about the natural and cultural history, economic development, and community of the regions they traverse.
Water trails vary from short shoreline routes to loops around lakes and lagoons. They may stretch hundreds of river miles across multiple states, or they may follow ocean coastlines and connect with maritime ports and coastal islands. Regardless of length or configuration, water trails are valuable assets to cities and counties, providing recreational, educational and economic opportunities for locals and visitors alike. Water trails help people discover new perspectives about their watersheds and communities, building sense of place and raising awareness of watershed stewardship. Thriving water trails serve as economic engines for the communities they connect, connecting recreational visitors to opportunities for locally-driven tourism.
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.
Ada County Parks & Waterways is a partner of this coalition consisting of federal and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and interested citizens. The mission is to promote river access and recreational opportunities that benefit communities, tourism, and preservation of natural and cultural resources through a network of partnerships. One major goal is to help communities define and influence future river recreation through public planning processes and partnerships.
The Snake River provides opportunities for people to explore, respect and enjoy our region’s natural and cultural heritage. 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. Parks, historical sites, trails, towns, counties, recreational retailers, museums, tourism-based organizations, educational agencies, community members and recreationists from Glenn’s Ferry to Farewell Bend are all integral parts of our Water Trail.
The Snake River Water Trail Coalition has many project goals. These goals include:
- To promote respect for private property along the Water Trail to minimize disruption and disturbance;
- To promote the Water Trail as a valuable, sensitive resource for recreation, water safety, education, and stewardship;
- To identify access and opportunities for boaters in the form of, but not limited to: portages, launches, campsites and available services;
- To develop partnerships among government agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and the public;
- To develop the Water Trail as an economic asset to our local communities and partner organizations;
- To promote the Water Trail as a way to pursue an active outdoor lifestyle.
There are many great places to start an adventure on the Snake River Water Trail. Use this guide for a comprehensive look at what you can do along the Snake River Water Trail, and plan a trip to experience many of the activities. Ranging from fishing spots to wineries, historical sites to hotels, this guide is perfect for learning about the Snake River Water Trail.
This document is nothing but maps of the different sections of the Snake River Water Trail, providing minute details about the trail and best ways to navigate it.
Ada County Parks & Waterways is working with Idaho Fish & Game to build and maintain a boat launch on the Snake River! The proposed ramp is roughly 4.3 miles down river of the Swan Falls Dam. It will be built near an existing camp site, and will be free to use to the public. Planning is still in the very preliminary stages, and this page will be updated as more information is released about the project!
Current Newsletter Article about the Snake River Water Trail
