Grand Teton National Park

Snake River Scenic Float & Sunset Wildlife Safari

  • Destination
    Grand Teton
  • Season
    May - Sep
  • Group Size
    Max 8
  • Duration
    6 Hours
From $1160
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Overview

Grand Teton National Park is filled with an incredible variety of wildlife as well as a wild and scenic river system. Rocky Mountain megafauna such as bison, elk, moose and deer are all found here. This tour highlights what it means to experience the transition of day to dusk in this wild place, where predators and prey alike are active and vocal in hunting and feeding. This unique evening experience combines the talent of our river guides and naturalist guides in order to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience of Grand Teton National Park.

Highlights

  • Guided Float on the Wild & Scenic Snake River
  • Primetime Wildlife Viewing at Dusk & Sunset
  • Gourmet Picnic Dinner in Grand Teton National Park

More than 310,000 acres of protected wilderness make up the Jackson Hole Valley, preserving habitat for free-roaming wildlife. Experiencing the transition of daytime to nighttime offers a rare window into the natural rhythms of this extraordinary place. Wildlife is most active in our Rocky Mountain summer evenings after the heat of the day has passed.

Sunset Wildlife Viewing

As the sun lowers behind the jagged Teton Range, your guide will lead you through the valley, river corridors, and open sagebrush flats known for their rich wildlife activity. Guests travel to Grand Teton from all over the world hoping to glimpse its megafauna — bison grazing on open grasslands, elk moving toward evening feeding grounds, moose foraging along willow-lined riverbanks, and, with luck, black or grizzly bears as they wander in search of food.

The wild animals of Grand Teton National Park live entirely within natural cycles. Sightings often begin with something subtle — the flick of an ear in tall grass, the curve of antlers in the willows, a dark shape crossing a ridge. Our guides know and follow these patterns intimately, using years of experience to interpret tracks, behavior, and seasonal movement so you can witness these creatures in their element.

Spring:
Bears emerge from their dens in late April and May, often slow-moving and intent on finding early vegetation like biscuitroot, spring beauties, and young grasses. Moose return to the valley floor, and migrating animals are abundant.

Summer:
As temperatures rise, elk, wolves, and bears often drift into the foothills and higher basins, sometimes requiring patience and long-range optics to spot. Moose settle into river corridors and pond edges where aquatic plants are plentiful.

A Park Shaped by Nature and History

Beyond wildlife, Grand Teton National Park holds a remarkable geographic and cultural legacy. Alpine peaks, wide glacial valleys, rushing rivers, and deep lakes create dramatic vistas at every turn. Humans have been drawn to this landscape for more than 11,000 years — from Indigenous communities who traveled seasonally through the region to the later homesteaders who attempted to carve out a life on the frontier. Today, the valley remains a rare pocket of the West where wildness still outweighs civilization.

Your Evening Adventure

A scenic float and sunset wildlife safari is designed to give you a little of everything — wildlife, landscapes, and the evening rhythm of the National Park. Your exact route will depend on wildlife activity, weather, and interests, but trust that your guides know the region intimately and will choose the most promising locations to make the evening unforgettable.

For a remarkable experience, consider adding a stargazing tour to your combination tour.  We can continue right on through the evening to wonder at the night sky in this certified dark skies region.

What's Included

  • Hotel pickup
  • Professional naturalist guide
  • Small group safari: 8 guests per vehicle, maximum
  • Guided scenic float
  • Assorted snack basket
  • Gourmet picnic dinner
  • Hot and cold beverages (non-alcoholic)
  • Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
  • Mobile discovery lab (tactile field kit for exploration)
  • Short hike (optional)
  • Guide gratuities
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Child safety seat (for children under 8)

Private Safari (Public Float)

$1160 for 1-2 guests; $260 for each additional guest, (plus taxes and fees). Average per vehicle, 4-8 guests, maximum 11* guests; *large groups please inquire. Age minimum, 5 years old. This is a private safari and a mixed scenic float.
From $1160

Tour Information

What time is my hotel pickup?

All guests are picked up and returned to their place of lodging. We pick up at hotels and condos in Jackson and Teton Village. Your exact pick up time will be determined by your hotel location and the season. Please make note of your pickup time, and save it for your reference.

Please give your guide an additional 5-10 minutes before and after the scheduled time to allow for other pickups or traffic conditions. Changes to trip timing may be made to accommodate daylight and/or optimum wildlife viewing.

Approximate pickup times for Jackson Hole include:

May 15 – September 14

  • 4:00 PM – Town of Jackson locations
  • 4:00 PM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani and Spring Creek locations
  • 4:00 PM – Teton Village locations

Private safari guests are picked up at 4:00PM from May 15 – September 14.

What is the itinerary?

Your exact route and itinerary will be determined by your interests, current wildlife sightings, and current weather and road conditions.  Our guides are all highly experienced, with thousands of hours in the field, and will expertly tailor your safari to you and your group. 

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In the Wild

Spotted on Safari

On the Menu

Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris is proud to offer locally sourced zero waste lunch options for all our guests on this tour.  The menu includes assorted sandwiches with meats, veggies, and bread, served with chips, and a small dessert.  Water is provided on every tour, and your guide will have additional hot or cold beverages on hand.  Assorted snacks will be available throughout the day.

Vegan or vegetarian meals may be available.  We may source meals from multiple partners in order to satisfy dietary requests or seasonal demand.  Please indicate if you have a food sensitivity or allergy at the time of booking so we can discuss your meal options prior to your tour.  We cannot guarantee allergen-free meals.     

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What an amazing tour! The scenery was absolutely stunning and our guide was not only extremely friendly and helpful with boarding and other details but so knowledgeable about Grand Teton National Park in general. He answered every question with patience and knowledge. He also gave us so much information while still allowing us quite moments to soak in all the beauty surrounding us.
B. Littleton

FAQs

What wildlife can we expect to see during the Snake River Scenic Float & Sunset Wildlife Safari?

Evening is one of the most active times for wildlife along the Snake River. Guests often see bald eagles, osprey, beavers, moose, elk, mule deer, and waterfowl. Depending on conditions, you may also spot bison, pronghorn, or foxes as the valley cools and animals move toward the river corridor.

How long does the Snake River Scenic Float & Sunset Wildlife Safari last?

This experience typically lasts about 6 hours, combining a guided wildlife safari with a peaceful scenic float on a calm stretch of the Snake River. Timing is designed to take advantage of ideal evening light and prime wildlife activity.

Is the scenic float suitable for all ages?

Yes. The float takes place on a calm, slow-moving stretch of the Snake River, making it accessible for families, multi-generational groups, and guests of most ages. Your guide will provide all necessary safety equipment and detailed instructions before launching.

What should I wear or bring for a sunset safari and river float?

Layers are essential, especially for cooler evening temperatures. We recommend a warm jacket, closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Feel free to bring a camera if you have one, and our guides provide binoculars. Your rafting guide will also provide life jackets and any additional float-specific gear.

How is this tour different from a standard wildlife safari or stand-alone float trip?

This tour offers the best of both experiences; traversing the varied terrain in search of local species, and getting to experience the landscape from the water. The combination lets you explore more areas of the park, spot a wider variety of wildlife, and enjoy the Tetons in soft golden light, a uniquely memorable way to end your day in Jackson Hole.

Vehicles & Optics

Our Vehicles & Optics

At Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris we use top-of-the-line vehicles and optics designed to enhance your wildlife safari experience while ensuring comfort and safety. These rugged and comfortable vehicles feature expansive windows, giving you unobstructed views of the incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes of Jackson Hole.  We utilize high-quality, durable optics that offer sharp, clear images, even at long distances, making it easier for guests to spot elusive animals and enjoy close-up views of birds, mammals, and other wildlife.

Our Vehicles

We use small passenger vans and SUVs for small group sizes to accommodate a personalized experience. With high-clearance capabilities, the vehicles can easily navigate any terrain we encounter, ensuring a smooth and stable ride through the area’s remote spots. Spacious seating, climate control, and knowledgeable guides ensure a comfortable, immersive experience, allowing you to connect with nature while minimizing your impact on this beautiful, pristine environment.

Our Optics

Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris provides top-tier binoculars and spotting scopes for their tours to ensure guests have the best possible viewing experience of wildlife in the stunning landscapes of the region. Our Athlon binoculars are lightweight and easy to handle, perfect for all ages and experience levels. The Vortex spotting scopes, equipped with powerful magnification, allow for exceptional detail when observing wildlife from afar. These professional-grade tools enhance the overall safari experience, giving guests a front-row seat to the beauty of Jackson Hole’s natural world.

Do your vehicles have roof hatches to use for wildlife viewing?

No, our vehicles don’t have roof hatches. We believe the best way to truly experience wildlife sightings is by stepping outside the vehicle and setting up a spotting scope for a close-up view. Our goal is to immerse you in the ecosystem and get you out of the vehicle for a more personal and hands-on experience. Plus, it helps keep our seats clean and free from muddy shoes!

Do you use open-air safari vehicles?

No, we do not. Open air vehicles limit how far we can travel and how fast we can go, restricting the areas in the park that we can visit. We keep up with the recent wildlife activities to maximize our chances of sightings, and open air vehicles would limit our mobility to get to these sightings. Sometimes this leads us down dirt roads that can kick up quite a bit of dust, making open air travel really unpleasant. In this region, our temperatures vary greatly throughout each day, often starting with chilly mornings and moving into hot afternoons. Our vehicles ensure that you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, keeping you comfortable throughout the day. While there are other options for those seeking the open air experience, we believe enclosed vehicles are the best way to experience the park!

Do the spotting scopes take photos?

The spotting scopes do not capture photos directly, but we use an excellent attachment made by Ollin. It is a magnetic attachment that lets you connect your smartphone to the eyepiece, stabilizing the camera for incredible videos and photos. Your guide can use this setup to take pictures of your wildlife encounters and share them with you at the end of the tour.

How many pairs of binoculars do you provide?

We provide a pair of binoculars for each individual guest! There is a lot going on in the park and wildlife can show up anywhere, so we want everyone to have every opportunity to get a close-up view.

Further Reading

A Month by Month Guide to Grand Teton National Park

Jun 21, 2024

Deciding when to visit Grand Teton is entirely dependent on your personal interests, availability, and preferred weather conditions. Planning ahead is essential to managing expectations and anticipating what you may need. For example, if your number one goal is wildlife sightings of bears or moose, then midsummer may not be the best time for you to go. If you don’t want cold temperatures and wish to hike as much as possible, spring and fall may leave you disappointed. Every month is different and offers equally enchanting possibilities, but knowing what is and isn’t available will help you immensely. No matter when you visit, our wildlife safaris run year round and are sure to show you a spectacular time in the park…

Yellowstone National Park Wildlife

Feb 27, 2025

Few places are home to such exciting and majestic megafauna as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). At the heart of this spectacular region is Yellowstone National Park. A visit to Yellowstone in summer can deliver encounters with bears, elk, bison, moose, wolves, and many, many more. Knowing what the different seasons offer and where in the park to look are key to successfully finding wildlife sightings of a lifetime. Booking a Yellowstone tour with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris is an excellent way to efficiently see the park with an experienced and passionate guide who knows where to go…

 

 

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