Snake River

rivers · Pacific Northwest · geography

Starts in Yellowstone. The Snake River begins high in Yellowstone National Park in western Wyoming, flowing down from the mountains where it's fed by melting snow and mountain streams.

Crosses the desert plain. For much of its journey, the river cuts across the arid Snake River Plain of southern Idaho, a landscape that looks dry and dusty but depends on this flowing water.

Carves Hells Canyon. The Snake River has carved out the dramatic Hells Canyon, one of the deepest river canyons in North America, where Idaho, Oregon, and Washington all meet.

Joins the Columbia. After traveling 1,080 miles through deserts and canyons, the Snake River finally merges with the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities in Washington, helping feed one of the Pacific Northwest's most important waterways.

Shapes the landscape. The Snake River has spent millions of years carving through rock and creating the rugged terrain that defines the interior Pacific Northwest today.