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Snake River Overlook

Moose, United States of America

Snake River Overlook

The Snake River Overlook, located within Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, is a viewpoint of immense scenic and historical significance. It is celebrated for its panoramic vista of the Teton Range and the meandering Snake River, a landscape that has captivated visitors for generations. The viewp

oint is most famous for being the location from which photographer Ansel Adams captured his iconic black-and-white image, 'Tetons and the Snake River,' though the exact spot of his photograph is not known today, as trees have grown in the intervening decades. The overlook itself is accessible and includes amenities such as wheelchair accessibility and historical/interpretive exhibits, making it a key interpretive site within the park. The Snake River, which provides the central element of the view, has a rich history of naming. Its headwaters rise in the Teton Wilderness, just outside Yellowstone National Park, before flowing briefly into Yellowstone, then cutting through Grand Teton National Park, across Idaho, and finally joining the Columbia River in Washington. Over time, the river has been known by several names: the Lewis River, named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition; La Maudite Riviere Enragee, or 'The Accursed Mad River,' a name given by French fur trappers; the Mad River; and Sho-sho-ne-pah, a name derived from the Shoshone Indians. The final name, Snake River, evolved from these earlier designations. The overlook also serves as a practical access p

Listen to the audio guide for Snake River Overlook Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

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