General Information
Most permit river managing agencies require you to send in an application before the end of January. Some rivers require you to download a permit from their web site and mail in the application and others allow you to fill in the application online. The Salt River has an earlier application deadline than most. A few rivers require a fee with the permit application but most only require a fee after you have obtained the permit.
Lodore, Yampa, and Split Mt in Dinosaur National Monument Lower San Juan River Westwater Canyon on the Colorado Desolation Canyon on the Green River Cataract Canyon inside Canyonlands Main Salmon River Middle Fork Salmon River Selway River Hells Canyon on the Snake River Rogue River (Wilderness Run) in Oregon Salt River in Arizona Grand Canyon on the Colorado River
River Ranger . Dinosaur Nat. Monument 4545 Hwy. 40 PO Box 210 Dinosaur, Colo. 81610 (435) 374-2468 Permit Due: Dec 1 - Jan 31 Dinosaur Nat Monument River Info: http://www.nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/boating-and-rafting.htm For Online Registration check:
All of the potential Class IV- rapids can be portaged. This run is a series of 3 beautiful canyons with plentiful wildlife and one long stretch of flatwater between canyons. The canyons are Lodore, Whirlpool, and Split Mt.
The 1st and longest canyon is the Yampa River section. This is a beautiful canyon with high vertical sandstone walls and pine trees. Except for Warm Springs (which can be portaged), the rapids are all Class II. The other two canyons are Whirlpool and Split Mt., the same as the last two canyons on the Lodore run.
The permits are easily obtained by calling the Dinosaur Office and are issued on a first come - first served basis. This Canyon makes a fun class II+ to III- run. Check the Dinosaur web link above.
BLM San Juan Resource Area PO Box 7 Monticello, Ut. 84535 (435) 587-2144 Permit Due: Jan. 31 3 to 5 days, Class II This is a desert canyon river next to the Navajo Reservation with frequent side hikes to Indian Ruins. Lots of Class II rapids in high water. More of an easy canoe run in low water. Check the following links for more info or permit applications. Info: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/monticello/recreation/permits/san_juan_river/How_To_Obtain.html
Westwater Canyon on the Colorado Westwater River Permits BLM, Grand Resource Area 82 E. Dogwood Moab, Ut 84532 (435) 259-7012 Permit Season: year round 1 to 2 days, Class III+ to IV depending on water level. This is a desert canyon with long flatwater stretches at the top and bottom. The center section contains all the rapids and lots of surfing. Most of the rapids are big and turbulent but not technical. This is also one of the few rivers that is more fun late in the season than at high water early in the season. The permits are issued on a first come, first served basis 2 months in advance. It is easy to obtain weekday permits but if you want a weekend permit, call before 8:30 am (they open at 8:00 am) exactly 2 months in advance. Info: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab/recreation/River_Recreation/westwater_canyon.html Permit: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab/recreation/River_Recreation/westwater_canyon/Westwater.html
Desolation Canyon on the Green River BLM, Price Rv. Resource Area 125 So. 600 West Price, Ut. 84501 (435) 636-3622 Due: Jan 30 4 to 5 days, Class II+ This is a large deep mostly desert canyon with plenty of wildlife. The Grays Canyon run we do with beginners is the last 9 mi stretch of this run. Info: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/price/recreation/riverinf.html
Cataract Canyon, Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park 2282 S. West Resource Blvd. Moab, Ut. 84532 (435) 259-4351 4 to 6 days, Class III to IV depending on flow rate Most of Cataract Canyon is flatwater or easy whitewater. The biggest attraction is the scenery and the side hikes. The last day or 2 on the river however is where the big whitewater occurs. In high water, Big Drop can be as big as anything in the Grand Canyon. In low water, these are completely different rapids. The trip ends at Hite Marina which used to be on Lake Powell but due to to the low reservoir level, is now on the river. Info: http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/riverpermits.htm
Middle Fork of the Salmon 5 to 8 days, Class III+ to IV+ depending on flow rate. This is a long, 104 mi, canyon with beautiful clear water. The canyon starts in forested mountain country and ends in high desert country. Wildlife and hot springs are both plentiful. This river is not dam controlled and the flow rate changes dramatically during the season. Late in the season around August, the flow frequently drops too low for rafts at the upper put-in. There is always enough water for kayaks and canoes but rafts sometimes need to be flown in to a landing strip farther down stream. For this reason, it is much easier to get late season permits. We've usually done this as an August kayak self-support trip. Permit Info: http://www.recreation.gov/permits/Middle_Fork_Of_The_Salmon/r/wildernessAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75534
Main Salmon, Corn Creek Put-in 5 to 7 days, Class III to IV- depending on flow rate. Large river in a high desert canyon. Excellent semi-wilderness trip.
Selway River 4 days, Class IV Short season (June thru July). The water is usually too low by Aug for rafts. This is a beautiful 47 mi wilderness run with only 1 group launch per day.
Hells Canyon on the Snake River 3 to 4 days, Class III to IV Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in the US with a very large river. Low water is considered to be anything below 15,000 cfs. Only 2 hard rapids are present, both of which can be portaged. The other rapids are all fairly easy. Note: Jet boats go up this river on a regular basis. Check the Hells Canyon web site for info about when the jet boats aren't allowed. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-whitman/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5227157
Rogue River Wilderness Run Rogue River, TRI P.O. Box 5149 Roseburg, OR 97470 (541) 479-3735 - BLM (541) 672-4168 - Tioga Resources, Inc. Due: Jan 31 3 to 4 days, Class III to IV This is a lush forested canyon with clear water and plenty of wildlife. Info: http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/rogue/index.php Permit Info: http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/rogue/about-permits.php
Salt River River Permits and Info Tonto National Forest 2324 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85006 (602) 225-5237 Due: Jan 15 3 to 5 days, Class IV This is beautiful and unusual river and canyon. The canyon contains Sonoran desert type vegetation including large saguaro cactus. The permit season is March 1 thru May 15. In exceptionally high water years, the river can be run thru the end of May. Info: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/passes-permits/?cid=fsbdev3_018757
Grand Canyon 15 to 25 days Big Water Class IV The Grand Canyon is one of the most scenic river trips anywhere in the world. The rapids are very big but not technical. It has been described as the worlds biggest Class III. There is also a lot of great hiking to be had from the river. The Grand Canyon has gone to a lottery system. To obtain a permit go to http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/overview-lees-ferry-diamond-ck.htm |