San Juan River Permit Lottery And Reservations
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).
Notifications and Alerts
Notice of temporary closure of campsites 1-8: Loop A (campsites 1 – 8) are closed during the construction of a new accessible trail and improved parking. For your safety, this area will be closed to campers and visitors during that time. The trail upgrades will improve recreation access to an approximately ½ mile section of the Bluff River Trail and are completed in partnership with Bears Ears Partnership and the World Monument Fund.
The remainder of the Sand Island Recreation Area, campground and boat ramp remain open to public use. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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.
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).
Need to Know
Rules and Regulations:
- View the complete BLM San Juan River Use Stipulations and river gear requirements for private, non-commercial use.
- Permit reservations are for private, non-commercial use only.
- Commercial and organized groups (including universities, schools, and groups sponsored by other organizations) must contact the BLM Monticello Field Office for information on additional BLM Special Recreation Permit requirements.
- You must be 18 years of age or older to apply for or obtain a permit.
- For more trip planning and important river use information, including lottery statistics and reserved campsite information, visit the BLM San Juan River Permits webpage.
Reserved Campsite Requirements:
- For trips taking out at Clay Hills, camping below Government Rapid (near river mile 64) is allowed at nine designated sites only. You must submit your campsite requests (preferences) when booking a permit or accepting an awarded lottery reservation. Be prepared to submit your preferences, prior to booking a reservation or accepting your awarded lottery reservation by viewing the BLM reserved campsite requirements and information page, which includes maps and campsite descriptions.
- BLM will assign your campsite receiving your preferences through your permit application. Campsite preferences cannot be submitted over phone or email. You can then view your reservation details to see your campsite assignments. If you don't submit preferences, BLM will assign your campsites.
- Trips taking out at Clay Hills must have at least one reserved campsite. If none are available, the permit will be revoked.
- You may schedule up to two nights in this section of the river, if there is availability. You may not camp at the same reserved campsite for more than one night. If you are spending two nights in the reserved section, your first night must be in one of the Slickhorn sites (A - E), and your second night must be in one of the sites downstream from Slickhorn.
- Reserved campsites may not be shared by more than one party without advance written approval from the BLM Monticello Field Office.
Navajo Nation Permits and Camping Closures:
- The Navajo Nation requires additional permits to camp and hike on river left. For information on how to obtain Navajo Nation permits, please contact the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department at (928) 871-6647.
- Due to bighorn sheep lambing and nursing requirements, the Navajo Nation has a year-round camping closure on river left. A map and additional information about the closure are available.
Your Safety:
- You should bring all of your drinking water. There are no reliable, potable sources of drinking water on the San Juan River. Filtering water is difficult because the San Juan is extremely silty. A minimum of one gallon per person, per day is suggested.
- The San Juan County Sheriff’s Department has search and rescue jurisdiction on public lands and normally takes the lead for such operations. For emergencies, call the Sheriff’s Department at (435) 587- 2237. Please note that cell service on the river is intermittent and unreliable. A satellite phone is recommended.
Enjoying Cultural Sites and Rock Images:
The San Juan River and the adjacent canyons were once home to a remarkable prehistoric people. The remnants of these past residents, including their dwellings, artifacts and rock images, are what make the San Juan River and Cedar Mesa area truly unique. Unintentional damage caused by visitors is slowly destroying these remnants. Please familiarize yourself with the ''Visit with Respect'' tips provided by Bears Ears Partnership, and enjoy these cultural sites in a manner that will help preserve them for future generations of visitors.
Permit Printing:
- You will be allowed to print your permit 14 days before your launch date. Changes cannot be made to the permit once it has been printed. Do not print your permit until you are sure you will not be making any changes.
- If you are exiting at Clay Hills, please wait until your reserved campsites have been assigned prior to printing your permit.
Fee Policy
There is a non-refundable $6.00 application/reservation fee for all reservations and/or lottery applications.
Permit fees are required for trips launching March 1 – October 31 on all river segments between Sand Island and Clay Hills. Permit fees apply to all ages. The following per person, per trip permit fee schedule is in effect for each river segment:
- Sand Island to Mexican Hat - $10 per person
- Mexican Hat to Clay Hills - $20 per person
- Sand Island to Clay Hills - $30 per person
- Montezuma Creek to Sand Island - no fee
Permit holders are responsible for payment of per person fees for their entire group. Full payment must be made at the time of reservation. Lottery winners must accept and pay for their permits in-full by March 15 at 11:59 p.m. MDT or their reservation will be cancelled and made available to other boaters.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations
- Refunds of permit fees are available for permit cancellations or group size reductions made a minimum of 15 days prior to the entry date.
- No refunds are issued for cancellations or group size reductions made 14 days or less before the entry date under any circumstances, including undesirable river flows or poor weather conditions.
Changes
- Permits are non-transferable. Only a pre-designated alternate leader may use the permit.
- Group sizes can be reduced or increased up to the maximum group size of 25 persons (provided there is availability) until five days before the entry date and prior to printing the permit.
- To change your launch date or river segment, you will need to cancel your existing reservation and make a new one. Fees from your previous reservation are non-transferable.
- Changes to exit dates, reserved campsites, or changes made less than 5 days before the launch date must be made by calling the BLM at (435) 587-1544.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 7 Monticello UT 84535
Hours of operation: 8 a.m. to noon
Phone Number
435-587-1544
