2025 Season Update** The 2025 San Juan River Lottery opens December 1, 2024 at 8:00 AM MST. Please note a change to BLM's alternate permit holder policy for this location: alternate permit holders may only be added at time of lottery application (or at time of permit purchase made outside of the lottery season). The BLM will be unable to add alternates requested via phone call or email messages at any point. Alternate permit holders listed on lottery applications may also apply for the lottery.
San Juan River Permit Lottery And Reservations
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A float trip on the San Juan River in southeast Utah provides boaters with access to spectacular red rock canyons rich in scenery, archaeology, history, remarkable geographic features, and desert wildlife. The river features Class II to III rapids that require some technical boating skill.
The BLM manages the river from Montezuma Creek, UT to the boundary of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (about river mile 45.5), and by agreement with the National Park Service, issues permits for all river segments on the 102-mile section of river between Montezuma Creek and Clay Hills Crossing. The left bank of the river from Montezuma Creek to Trimble Camp is managed by the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation requires additional permits to camp, hike, or visit archaeological sites on river left. For more information on how to obtain a Navajo permit, call the Navajo Parks and Recreation Office at (928) 871-6647.
There are three major access points for the San Juan River. Most trips launch at either Sand Island or Mexican Hat and take out at Mexican Hat or Clay Hills. Sand Island to Mexican Hat is about 27 miles and most boaters take two to three days to float this segment. Mexican Hat to Clay Hills is approximately 57 miles and is typically a four to five day trip. Sand Island to Clay Hills is about 84 miles and is typically a six to seven day trip. Clay Hills is the only viable take-out below Mexican Hat. There is a dangerous waterfall downstream from Clay Hills. The seldom-floated Montezuma Creek to Sand Island segment is approximately 17 miles.
The Navajo Dam in New Mexico controls San Juan flows. There is usually adequate river flow for boating all year. However, larger and heavier boats may have trouble navigating through rapids below Mexican Hat and dispersed mud bars from Slickhorn Canyon to Clay Hills at lower water levels. The months of May and June are the most popular time to float the river due to higher river flows. Upstream flash floods can cause river levels to rise rapidly. Visit San Juan River water level site for real-time USGS river flow information.
No pets are allowed on the San Juan River between Sand Island and Clay Hills.
For more San Juan River trip planning information, maps and brochures, visit the BLM San Juan River Permits information page.
Permits are required to float the San Juan River. The maximum group size is 25 people (all ages are included in the total group size).
Permit & Season Information
This permit allows boaters to float specific segments of a 102-mile section of the San Juan River between Montezuma Creek, UT and Clay Hills. A permit is required year-round. Permits are assigned using a pre-season lottery or must be reserved in advance by individuals 18 years of age or older. Permits for Sand Island to Mexican Hat, Mexican Hat to Clay Hills, and Sand Island to Clay Hills must be obtained in advance on this site (see Important Dates section below). To obtain a permit five days or less before the launch date, or to obtain a Montezuma Creek to Sand Island permit, you must call the BLM Monticello Field Office in advance to obtain a permit.
Pack-rafters using nontraditional launch or exit points are required to obtain a permit for the entire permitted river segment, even if they will only be floating a portion of that segment (e.g., a pack-rafting trip hiking in at Honaker and floating to Slickhorn Canyon would be required to obtain a Mexican Hat to Clay Hills permit).
Important Dates
| Dates | Information |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025 | Permit lottery open to apply for launch dates of April 15, 2025 – July 15, 2025. Lottery closes at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on January 31, 2025. |
| December 1, 2024 | Permits become available to book for launch dates January 1, 2025 – April 14, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time |
| February 12, 2025 | Permit lottery results are announced |
| March 15, 2025 | Deadline for permit lottery winners to confirm and pay at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time |
| March 16, 2025 | Cancelled lottery permits for launch dates April 15, 2025 – July 15, 2025 and permits for launch dates for July 16, 2025 – December 31, 2025 are available to book at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time |
Lottery Information
- For trips launching April 15 - July 15, launches are initially allocated through a permit lottery due to the high level of visitor demand.
- Lottery applications for permits are accepted from December 1 through January 31 at 11:59 p.m. MST.
- Only one lottery application per individual 18 or older may be submitted.
- Lottery results are announced on February 12.
- Successful applicants must accept their awarded permit and pay the per person permit fees by March 15 at 11:59 p.m. (MDT).
- Due to total people per day launch limits, it is recommended that you apply and pay for your maximum group size. You will not be able to add additional people to your group at a later time, if there is no availability.
- Refunds for group size reductions are available up to 15 days before your entry date (no refunds 14 days or less).
- Unaccepted reservations and cancellations will made available to other boaters starting March 16 at 8:00 a.m. MDT.
How Does the Quota Work for this Permit?
Permits for river segments are allocated based on launch date and launch location.
Sand Island
Seven groups or 75 persons are allowed to launch from Sand Island per day. When either limit is reached, the day is full. In addition, only two trips launching from Sand Island per day may go all the way to Clay Hills; all others must take out at Mexican Hat.
Mexican Hat
Three groups or 50 persons are allowed to launch from Mexican Hat per day. When either limit is reached, the day is full.
Due to the persons per day limit, it is important to apply for and book permits for your full group size. If there isn’t availability, you will not be able to increase your group size later. If the group limit is reached and there is still space available for more people on a launch date, groups with existing permits on the date may add available spaces to their permit until five days before the launch date and prior to printing the permit.
