Barker-Ewing Float Trips — Local services in Jackson

We took the 10:00 a.m. Barker-Ewing Scenic Float Trip in late September — hands down one of our favorite experiences in Grand Teton National Park. There were four of us (my husband and me, plus our two boys, 15 and 12), and it was the perfect way to take in the Tetons without the crowds or effort of hiking.

The trip lasted about 2.5 hours. Check-in and meeting logistics were easy and straightforward - all spelled out in the confirmation email. After meeting at the Barker Ewing ramp, we were shuttled by van to the river launch site. Our guide, James, even pointed out buffalo in the distance along the way — a great start to the morning!

Once on the river, the calm, peaceful float began — this is not a whitewater trip, but a gentle glide through the heart of the park. The water was calm, the raft sturdy, and we felt completely safe the entire time. James gave a clear safety overview before we launched, and we didn’t have to do any paddling; he handled everything. We sat comfortably on the floor of the raft, leaning back on the sides — surprisingly cozy!

James was an outstanding guide — friendly, funny, and knowledgeable without being overbearing. He mixed quiet stretches with fun facts and stories about the park’s history, geology, and landmarks, and even made an effort to engage our boys (but not in that awkward, pushy way). We spotted two bald eagles along the way, and the mountain views were absolutely stunning — the kind of scenery that makes you want to put your phone down and just take it all in.

A few tips:

Wear layers — mornings can start cool but warm up quickly.

Bring water and sunscreen.

There are no snack or bathroom breaks during the float, so plan ahead.

It’s a great trip for families, seniors, or anyone looking for a relaxing way to experience the Tetons — no fitness required.

I took my phone for pictures and felt totally secure holding it, even on the water. Everything about the experience was well organized and thoughtfully run.

We would absolutely do this trip again. It was peaceful, beautiful, and gave us a whole new appreciation for the park. Five stars, without hesitation — and a special shoutout to James for making it...

My husband and I greatly enjoyed our trip with Barker-Ewing. We chose them because of all the great reviews, and we were not at all disappointed. Grant Bishop was our guide and he was nothing short of fantastic. As fate would have it, we didn’t see much wildlife during our trip; I chalk that up to it being a 2:00 float and not a morning/evening time when wildlife are naturally on the move. Still, Grant took the opportunity to explain to us how the wildlife worked here and what to watch for. We learned so much about beaver, bear, and elk patterns. It was like Grant was answering the questions we didn’t know to ask. He was very professional and enjoyable to be around. He also managed up the company very well, explaining how he loved working for Barker-Ewing because it was “the best company.” It says a lot about a company when an employee takes pride in it. Also, Barker-Ewing provided excellent communication to us via email. We knew exactly where to go to meet the guide, which alleviated a lot of stress. Thank you for such an...

We had a fantastic time on our float trip with Barker-Ewing in Grand Teton National Park! We decided to take our trip first thing in the morning so even in June, the trip was a bit cool but honestly not bad. Our guide did a great job with a good mix of Snake River/wildlife knowledge as well as making sure that everyone had an opportunity for the best views. One of our favorite things was that at times our guide stopped talking and just allowed nature to speak. It was nice just hearing the river and the birds and enjoy life away from the busy lives we lead. We didn't see just a ton of wildlife but that was fine. We enjoyed seeing the Tetons from a river view. It was great that we were dropped off at the end of our trip down the river just a few hundred yards from our car. We highly recommend BarkerEwing and would do it again should we come back during the...