Access Site
ID
Gem Lake
City: Shelley, ID
County: Bonneville County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 43.42460832, -112.10131150
Air Temp: --
Location
Interactive access map
Loads when you reach this section.
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Snake River
21 runs (1 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
II-III+
77 mi away
8 - Sheep Gulch to Palisades Reservoir
3.9 mi
III
81 mi away
7 - West Table to Sheep Gulch (Alpine Canyon)
7.9 mi
I-II
87 mi away
3 - Moose to Wilson Bridge
14.5 mi
I
87 mi away
4 - Wilson Bridge to South Park Bridge
13.4 mi
I-III
90 mi away
6 - Astoria Bridge to West Table
9.3 mi
I-III
92 mi away
5 - South Park Bridge to Astoria Bridge
8.6 mi
I(II)
97 mi away
2 - Jackson Lake to Moose (Teton National Park)
26.0 mi
II-III
109 mi away
1- Yellowstone Natl Park Entrance to Flagg Ranch
3.3 mi
III+(V)
124 mi away
Headwaters to Heart River
16.3 mi
V+
146 mi away
C) Milner Dam to Milner Power Plant (Milner Mile)
1.5 mi
I(II)
147 mi away
D) Milner Power Plant to Star Falls (Cauldron Linn)
6.6 mi
III-IV(V)
155 mi away
E) Murtaugh Bridge to Twin Falls Reservoir - (The Murtaugh)
13.3 mi
III-IV+
175 mi away
Auger Falls Park
1.9 mi
III-IV+
183 mi away
F) Crystal Springs to Upper Salmon Falls Res.
19.3 mi
II-III
197 mi away
G) Lower Salmon Falls Dam to Bliss Reservoir
7.1 mi
16 ft/mi
I(II)
295 mi away
H) Swan Falls Dam to Walters Ferry (Birds of Prey)
16.3 mi
2 ft/mi
III-IV
338 mi away
I) Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing
32.0 mi
12 ft/mi
II
338 mi away
J) Pittsburg Landing (or Salmon) to Heller Bar
47.4 mi
I-II
384 mi away
K. Heller Bar to Clearwater (Lewiston/Clarkston)
29.0 mi
I
399 mi away
L) Lewiston to Columbia River
140.0 mi
2 ft/mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
The Gem Lake Boat Ramp provides access to the Snake River near Shelley in Bonneville County. This is a major river system—the Snake River stretches 559 miles with significant volume and flow, averaging nearly 50,000 cubic feet per second. Paddlers and boaters should be prepared for a substantial, powerful river with an average current velocity of nearly 11 feet per second. The ramp is located at the Gem Lake Recreation Area in the Columbia Plateau foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
This section of the Snake River, spanning from American Falls Reservoir to Gem Lake Dam, covers approximately 57 miles and is managed for fishing and boating access by Idaho Fish & Game in cooperation with Ada County Parks & Waterways. While this is a major waterway suitable for motorized boats, paddlers should respect the strong flow and gradient typical of this river section. The recreation area offers a developed boat launch facility—check with local management for current amenities, hours, and any seasonal restrictions before visiting.
Nearby outdoor opportunities include access to Hell's Half Acre Wilderness Study Area (a unique 5,200-year-old lava flow) and Caribou-Targhee National Forest, making this a good base for exploring southeast Idaho's diverse landscape.
This section of the Snake River, spanning from American Falls Reservoir to Gem Lake Dam, covers approximately 57 miles and is managed for fishing and boating access by Idaho Fish & Game in cooperation with Ada County Parks & Waterways. While this is a major waterway suitable for motorized boats, paddlers should respect the strong flow and gradient typical of this river section. The recreation area offers a developed boat launch facility—check with local management for current amenities, hours, and any seasonal restrictions before visiting.
Nearby outdoor opportunities include access to Hell's Half Acre Wilderness Study Area (a unique 5,200-year-old lava flow) and Caribou-Targhee National Forest, making this a good base for exploring southeast Idaho's diverse landscape.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Located within
Hell's Half Acre Wilderness Study Area
Located within
Lava Trail System (Hell's Half Acre)
Located within