Jan 21

Jan 21 Permit Season for Rafting

How to apply for some of the most popular river permits.

Some of the most popular sections of river in the US are governed by some pretty strict permitting requirements and they can be a bit tricky to navigate. Our friend Anna from The River Store in California sent us this fantastic round up of some of the requirements for the most sought after river permits in the US.

If you have never applied for one of these multi day permits the process can be a little intimidating. We have dropped some links below to help you navigate the process a little easier and we will try to keep them updated when possible.

If you need some help planning a trip we will be doing a couple follow ups on trip planning and packing for multi-day expeditions in the future. You can also check out Paddling the John Wesley Powell Route by Mike Bezemek for more inspiration on enjoying these fantastic trips.

Desolation Canyon - Green River

Permitting Agency: US Bureau of Land Management
Application Period Open: Sun, Dec 1, 2019 - Jan 31, 2020
Dates Available for Permits: Fri, May 1, 2020 - Wed, Sep 30, 2020
Fee Policies: There is a one-time $6 reservation fee and recreation fee of $25 per person. The reservation fee and recreation fee for one person must be paid at the time that the launch is reserved. Payment for all passengers must be completed and the permit printed in the two weeks preceding the launch date.

Middle Fork Salmon River (Idaho)

Permitting Agency: US Forest Service
Application Period Open: Sun, Dec 1, 2019 - Jan 31, 2020
Dates Available for Permits: Sat, Jun 20, 2020 - Mon, Sep 7, 2020
Fee Policies: Reservation/Application Fee ($6.00) is non-refundable. All persons floating the Main Salmon River must also pay a recreation fee in the amount of $4.00 per person per day or have a valid Salmon Rivers Season Pass.
Additional Info: Outside the Lottery Control Season, the maximum group size is 24 and the maximum trip length is 8 days. During lottery season:
- Group Size (21-24) - Maximum Trip Length: 6 Days (5 nights)
- Group Size (11-20) - Maximum Trip Length: 7 Days (6 nights)
- Group Size (1-10) - Maximum Trip Length: 8 Days (7 nights)

Hell's Canyon - Snake River

Permitting Agency: US Forest Service
Application Period Open: Sun, Dec 1, 2019 - Jan 31, 2020
Dates Available for Permits: May 24, 2020 - September 10, 2020, season is from the Friday preceding Memorial Day through September 10th each year
Fee Policies: The Reservation/Application fee ($6.00) is non-refundable. This fee must be paid on Recreation.gov using a credit card
Additional Info: Group Size (1-24) - Maximum Trip Length: 14 days

Rouge River

Permitting Agency: US Bureau of Land Management
Application Period Open: Sun, Dec 1, 2019 - Jan 31, 2020
Dates Available for Permits: Fri, May 15, 2020 - Thu, Oct 15, 2020
Fee Policies: A $6.00 non-refundable Lottery Application Fee is required for each lottery application, payable to Recreation.gov online. Party leader may apply to the lottery only once per calendar year. Reserved Permit Confirmation Fees A $10.00 per person fee is required at the time of confirmation of reservation and must be received by the BLM no later than 10 days prior to the launch date.

Selway River

Permitting Agency: US Forest Service
Application Period Open: Sun, Dec 1, 2019 - Jan 31, 2020
Dates Available for Permits: May 15 to July 31, 2020
Fee Policies: The Reservation/Application fee ($6.00) is non-refundable.
Additional Info: Permit season: Maximum party size is 16. Pre and post season: Maximum party size is 20

Owyhee River

Permitting Agency: US Bureau of Land Management
Application Period Open: Year round permits required
Dates Available for Permits: Open
Fee Policies: None
Additional Info: Owyhee River to: Wild and Scenic Owyhee River, Vale District Office, Bureau of Land Management, 100 Oregon Street, Vale, OR 97918

Soul Rafter Owyhee Video

Yampa and Green Rivers - Dinosaur National Monument

Permitting Agency: National Park Service
Application Period Open: Sun, Dec 1, 2019 - Jan 31, 2020
Dates Available for Permits: During High Use Season only 300 permits for launches are issued.
- May 11 – May 20: two permits issued per day.
- May 21 – July 11: three permits issued per day not to exceed two launches per river.
- July 12 – September 11: two permits issued per day
Fee Policies: All permit holders floating the Yampa and Green Rivers of Dinosaur National Monument must pay a $15.00, non-refundable application fee. Permits awarded through the lottery need to be confirmed with full payment ($185.00) no later than 10 p.m. MT, March 1 or they will be cancelled.

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