Idaho
South Fork Snake: Conant to Byington
About this float trip
The South Fork of the Snake below Palisades Dam holds the largest population of native Yellowstone cutthroat left anywhere, and the canyon section between Conant and Byington is the wildest part of it. The river runs through the largest cottonwood gallery forest in the West. It is a long float with no take-out in between, which is the main planning constraint: once you launch at Conant you are committed to Byington.
The canyon section of Idaho’s South Fork, cottonwood bottoms and cutthroat water below Palisades.
Highlights
What earns the trip
- The strongest remaining Yellowstone cutthroat population anywhere
- The largest cottonwood gallery forest in the western United States
- Bald eagles nest along the canyon in numbers
- The salmonfly hatch in late June brings the biggest fish up
Stops
- 1
Conant Boat Ramp
The upper put-in for the canyon float.
- 2
Byington Boat Ramp
The take-out at the bottom of the canyon.
When to go
Best time to go
Late June through September, after runoff drops out.
Planner estimate for the mapped line: 1h 43m
Before you go
Know before you go
- There is no intermediate take-out in the canyon. Budget the full day.
- Flows are dam controlled and can change substantially. Check releases before you launch.
- Idaho has specific harvest rules aimed at protecting cutthroat here. Read the current regulations.
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