A handful of rivers in the United States are so popular and special that they require a permit to control the crowds. The permit systems are largely a good thing because they ensure a better experience with minimal impact on the environment. Campsites are guaranteed and often reserved and traffic is controlled to protect the resource. Special regulations are the norm so plan your gear accordingly. Bring a system for human waste and be diligent about Leave No Trace practices to preserve river campsites for future generations. Use this comprehensive list to plan your future lottery applications.
Lottery Permit River Applications
The lottery systems have hard application deadlines. The bulk of these fall within a December and January time period with Montana’s Smith River being the exception. All deadlines are list below the descriptions.
Grand Canyon River Rafting Lottery
Might as well start with the big one. Rafting the Grand Canyon is a dream for just about every boater around. You can skip the lottery and run on a commercial trip but even these are typically booked at least one and often two years out. The lottery system is weighted and every year you apply, the odds of drawing increase.
Fill out your application through the National Park Service during the first 3-weeks of February. They do the primary draw in February and the launch dates are one year out. So if you applied for an April launch in the 2020 draw, that date is for 2021.
They also have follow-up lotteries because people do cancel after drawing. These openings re-enter the pool and you may draw on one of these follow-ups. You pay an application fee and are required to pay a deposit on the permit itself if successful.
Middle Fork of Salmon River – 4 Rivers Lottery
The Middle Fork falls into the 4 Rivers lottery and draw odds are low. It’s just over 100-miles long and is permitted for the entire season. The draw season runs from May 28 through September 3 and you can obtain a self issue permit outside of the draw season. The self issue has a limited number of launches however so be prepared. You can use the reservation system to get ahead on pre and post season dates. Floating through the Frank Church Wilderness is a major bucket list trip and is worth the small entry fee for the lottery. Apply Here.
Main Salmon – 4 Rivers Lottery
The next in the Four Rivers lottery system, the main salmon is an exceptional float that typically begins at the Corn Creek launch and ends at Tom Bar. The season runs through summer but there are shoulder season opportunities here as well. The lottery season runs from June 20 to September 7 and you must apply in December or January each year. Apply Here.
Selway River Idaho – 4 Rivers Lottery
The permits are limited and the float season is short on this remote river. You either fly into the landing strip or pack your gear to the launch here. The permitted season runs May 15 to July 31 and you do not need special permits for the shoulder seasons. Flows are restrictive in the later seasons, making it nearly impossible to float beyond the permit dates anyways. Located in the Bitterroot mountains, this a gem of a river. Apply Here.
Hells Canyon Snake River – 4 Rivers Lottery
Hells Canyon is the last section in the 4 Rivers lottery system. It spans the Idaho – Oregon border and is the deepest river canyon in the United States. That’s right, deeper than the grand canyon. The season runs May 28 to September 10 and Hells Canyon Creek recreation area is the common launch point. There are only three private launches each day during the permit season so you essentially have a massive canyon to yourselves. Outside of the permit season, you can still launch and float but there are no restrictions on the number of launches. Apply Here.
Smith River Montana
Managed by Montana State Parks, the Smith runs through a remote section of central Montana. It has beautiful cliffs, grassy campsites and good trout fishing. While the lottery system has better odds than the 4 rivers lottery rivers, it still is not guaranteed. Campsites are designated and assigned at the launch near White Sulfur Springs and most trips run 3-5 days. Apply Here.
Rogue River Wild and Scenic
The Wild and Scenic section on the Rogue River is permitted and it runs over 80 miles through remote canyon country. Plan on exciting whitewater as you pass through numerous class III rapids and a few class IV and IV+. The permit season runs May 15 to October 15 with self issue permits being an option through the shoulder seasons. Apply Here.
Green River – Gates of Lodore
This trip launches at Browns Park in Utah and flows into Dinosaur National Monument. The high use season runs May 10 to September 10. Shoulder season floats are also an option with self issue permits. The Flaming Gorge dam controls flows roughly 30 miles upriver from Browns Park so the river typically has plenty of water outside of the high season. Apply here.
Yampa River – Deerlodge Park
You must apply for permits using the same page as the latter Green River. You will however specifically indicate the Yampa as your choice. This trip begins at Deerlodge Park and ends shortly after the Yampa and Green Rivers confluence. The high use season runs May 10 to July 10 and only two daily launches occur. Self issue permits are an option in the low season but they are limited to one daily launch.
San Juan River Utah
It’s all about the flows on the San Juan river. You can float year-round below Navajo Dam in New Mexico but the 102 miles of scenic river through Utah are permitted. Permits are available all year but low flows restrict the season. January 1 to April 14 is the lottery issued permit season but boaters can reserve outside of these dates if flows spike.
Green River – Desolation Gray
84 miles of scenic red rock canyons with wildlife, hiking and sandy beach camps make this a killer trip. The river has numerous rapids but nothing massive and is a popular multi day run. The lottery season is long on this one so plan accordingly for February 1 to November 30. The river does freeze most years so running outside of the lottery is not recommended. Apply Here.
Salt River Arizona
Arizona is not just the Grand Canyon. The short float season on the Upper Salt River offers a coveted permit from March 1-15 each year. The canyon is loaded with whitewater and unpredictable flows. It’s remote and has great hiking in side canyons. Four launches are allowed daily during the two week season. Apply here.
Rio Chama Wild and Scenic
The lottery season runs April 15 to July 15 and again from July 16 to September 15. The early season is fed by natural conditions while the later season flows are managed by a dam release. Apply for Rio Chama Permits here.
Alsek – Tatshenshini Rivers Alaska
Managed by the National Park service, this remote Alaskan river system runs through the interior and enters Glacier Bay. The Tatshshini River is a tributary to the Alsek and the launch in Dalton Post begins a fast moving descent through very remote wilderness. The river is largely class II but the first section offers a canyon with class II-IV rapids that fluctuate with the flows. Being glacial, flows are influenced by melting and will increase on warm days. Apply Here
Call Ahead River Permits
The option to call and make a reservation exists on several river systems. While these are referred to as call ahead permits, you can also reserve dates online. The online system is much easier and you can screenshot or print a copy of the permit this way.
Deschutes River Oregon
They have a motorized and non-motorized boater’s pass system on the lower Deschutes River. The pass is required year-round and there is a quota on the number of daily users. The quota is fairly liberal however and you have good odds when planning a trip. There are five distinct river segments and you can do a single segment or pass through multiple segments on a single trip. Get your pass and learn more about the Deschutes River system here.
John Day River Oregon
Without any dams, this 281 mile river is very remote. Between Service Creek and Tumwater Falls, six river segments require permits and they are available online. You can also self issue permits for the North Fork between Dale and Monument.
Toulumne River – CA
May 1 to September 30, a permit is required for floating. You can run this in a single day during high water but groups often camp for a night or two to hikes and explore the area. The permit operates on a quota system and you can obtain yours in advance of floating. Carry a copy on you throughout the entire trip. Book a date.
Cataract Canyon – Colorado River UT
After the flat water section of Labyrinth, the Colorado and Green Rivers merge. The resulting canyon has big whitewater for experienced rafters. Permits are available for reservation four months in advance here.
Westwater Canyon – Colorado River UT
Enjoy 17 miles of nearly non-stop whitewater with eleven rapids up to class IV. You can run this in a single day easily but doing an overnight allows time for hikes and a slower pace. Five private groups are allowed daily and you can reserve several months ahead on a first come, first serve basis. Reserve river dates here.
Ruby Horsethief – Colorado River CO/UT
Launch in Loma, Colorado and float the 25 miles across state lines to Westwater, Utah. This section of river is slow moving with Class I-II rapids and it’s sometimes navigated by powerboats as well. Camping permits are mandatory year round and there is a fee during the April 1 to October 31 high season but no fee is required during low season. Reserve dates here.
Labyrinth – Green River UT
You can reserve 4-months in advance on this flat water section of river that runs through Canyon lands National Park. It’s best suited to kayaks, canoes and watercraft that tracks easily and moves quickly. Reserve dates for Labyrinth on the Green River here.
Dolores River – CO/UT
At 32 miles long from Gateway, Colorado to the confluence with the Colorado River, the river is a wonderful resource. It offers canyon hikes, rapids and remote wilderness scenery. The river is ideal for smaller, nimble rafts and kayaks. Permits are required year-round but there is no cap on launches. Dolores River Permits
Self Issue Rafting Permits
Keep in mind that many of the lottery based river permits offer self issue during the shoulder seasons. These specific rivers are self issue only. Several have limited windows of opportunity and are very remote with difficult access.
Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers
Both of these rivers operate under a sing self issue permit through the BLM. You can print the permit out here and carry it on your trip. Located on the Nevada/Idaho border, both rivers are remote and have a short season. Watch the flows and be flexible to make this trip happen.
Owyhee River, Idaho/Oregon
Desert canyons and great whitewater make the Owyhee River a rafting paradise when flows are high enough. The river runs through Idaho and Oregon and requires a self issue permit through the BLM. Get your permit here.
Grande Ronde River, Oregon
You can day float the Washington side but the Oregon section runs through a canyon that is best done on multi-day trips. Permits are available for pickup at a variety of locations in the local area. A complete list of permit locations and a guide for floating the river are found here.
Illinois River, Oregon
This remote tributary to the Rogue River is a whitewater gem. It requires a self issue permit available through the Selma market. The river is ideal for experienced boaters capable of running technical rapids.
Lower Salmon River, Idaho
Self issue permits are required for all floating below Hammer Creek. The permits are available at all common launch locations, making it easy to shotgun a trip without too much advanced planning.
Important Rafting Permit Application Deadlines:
January 31:
- 4 Rivers Lottery
- Rogue River
- Dinosaur Green and Yampa Rivers
- Desolation Gray
- San Juan River
- Salt River
- Rio Chama
February 14
- Smith River Permits Due
February 28
- Grand Canyon Permits
December 31:
- Tatshenini River
- Alsek River
Big river trips require advanced planning. Set the application deadlines on your calendar and spend the off-season dreaming up big trips while filling out your applications. It pays to join forums and online groups as well because slots open on trips frequently. If you own a whitewater raft, dry bags, gear and don’t mind running rivers with strangers, finding multiple new opportunities each year is entirely possible. Until then, fill out your river rafting lottery applications and keep your fingers crossed.
