Permit Lottery for Rafting Western Rivers

The time has come. January 31 is right around the corner.

Getting a permit for one of these 13 rivers requires winning the lottery. Sure the odds are a bit more favorable than the Powerball, but that doesn’t mean your dreams will come true. On the most coveted trips, like the Grand Canyon and Middle Fork, expect your chances to be in the low single digits. And on the higher end, you might see odds around 8-12% — still not amazing. As someone who wants to get on as many of these classic pieces of whitewater as possible, I have made it a priority to learn the permitting process, know the rules figure out when the competition is low, and try and find as many ways to score a cancellation as possible.

Your odds of winning depend on the date you are asking for, so your chances are usually higher if you try and score an early or late-season permit. But, water levels fluctuate every year, storm systems can come earlier or hang around longer, and temperatures are never a sure thing.

The map above shows the 13 lottery-controlled rivers in the West. For each river we’ve listed the standard put-ins and take-outs as well as the class, optimal flows, the spectrum of safe flows, allowed trip lengths and group sizes, the controlled season dates, the peak demand times, sneaky times, chances of pulling a permit, lottery deadlines and important dates, the cancellation process, tips on scoring cancellations, application and trip costs, and all the links to get you ready for a trip down some of the most coveted sections of whitewater in the world.

I was introduced to whitewater by someone with a lifelong passion for river running. Their breadth of experience and knowledge, which I am still learning from and drawing upon, inspired me to search for new rivers, both short and long, in my backyard and beyond. I hope this helps you get on the water.

When should I go?

Peak demand is calculated based on past lottery statistics and best flows for each river. The table below shows safest and optimal flows, which line up somewhere within the peak demand times for each year. You can also use this chart when applying for cancellations or pondering the off-season.

Flows

The table below lays out some picks for each river as well as a launch count per day so you can get an idea of the crowds. Notice a few rivers don’t require permits outside of the control season, although most have a self-registration of some sort, so that can be a great option if the flows and weather are appealing.

Seasonal Info

What about the lottery?

If you can avoid peak demand, you are much more likely to pull a permit so be sure to research typical flows and weather during your ideal dates. Shoot for the shoulders! Below you’ll find a table with lottery odds, trip sizes and lengths, as well as those key dates.

A note on the Smith River: Montana State Parks also offers the option for a “Super Permit” that you can use to get on the water any day of your choosing during the permit season. It costs $5 to enter and there is no limit on entries. So, if you don’t pull a permit in the main lottery, you can try your luck with the Super Permit drawing. It sounds enticing but they only give out 1 permit per season so the odds are extremely low. 

Lottery Info

How big can my group be and how long can we stay on the river?

Every river varies on their party size and trip length regulations. Party size has a cap on every river but a few rivers don’t even specify trip length, assuming you won’t spend 10 days on a 52-mile stretch. But you never know; some of us might want to enjoy an extended getaway with the new barrage on public lands. Use them while we still have them!

How much does it cost?

River permit and application costs are generally low. The biggest expense is usually the shuttle and personal costs (gear, food, beer, travel expenses).

Fees

How can I score cancellations?

Cancellations are where most of us will find success. With the growing popularity and efficiency of the Recreation.gov portal, more are being handled online, released at random times after they are received. But there is still no substitute for picking up the phone or, for the Rogue River, showing up in person, because they only have one phone line and it is busy even before they open. I think I called the Sumlin Visitor Center a couple hundred times last summer looking for a late July permit.

For the lucky, I’ve included the cancellation policies as well so you don’t get dinged.

Cancellations

If you want to learn more about these rivers follow the links below.

See you on the water!

Middle Fork Salmon River – Boundary Creek to Cache Bar – 104 miles – Class III to IV+ | permit link

Main Salmon River – Corn Creek to Vinegar Creek – 78 miles – Class III to IV | permit link

Selway River – Paradise to Race Creek – 46 miles – Class IV to V | permit link

Snake River / Hells Canyon – Hells Canyon Creek to Heller Bar – 34 miles – Class III to IV | permit link

Smith River – Camp Baker to Eden Bridge – 59 miles – Class II- | permit link

Rogue River – Grave Creek to Foster Bar – 34 miles – Class III+ | permit link

Green River Gates of Lodore – Lodore to Echo Park – 43 miles – Class III to IV | permit link 

Yampa River – Deer Lodge to Split Mountain – 71 miles – Class III+ | permit link

Green River Desolation & Gray Canyons – Sand Wash to Swaseys – 128 miles – Class II to III | permit link

San Juan River – Sand Island to Clay Hills – 67 miles – Class II | permit link

Rio Chama – El Vado Ranch to Big Eddy – 31 miles – Class II to III | permit link

Salt River – First Campground to Highway 288 – 52 miles – Class IV | permit link

Colorado River through the Grand Canyon – Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek – 226 miles – Class 1-10 | permit link