Canyonlands National Park Day Use River Permits
Canyonlands National Park is a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. The park preserves the natural beauty and human history throughout its four districts. While they share a primitive desert atmosphere, each offers different opportunities for wildness and solitude.
The Colorado and Green Rivers have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Canyonlands. Seeing the park from the bottom up affords a unique perspective. Above their confluence at the heart of Canyonlands, the rivers offer miles of flatwater perfect for canoes, sea kayaks and other shallow-water boats. A commercial upriver shuttle is necessary for non-motorized boats. Below the confluence, the combined flow of both rivers spills down Cataract Canyon with remarkable speed and power, creating a fourteen-mile stretch of Class III to V whitewater. It is a particularly hazardous and isolated section of the Colorado River, subject to extreme water level fluctuations, for experienced river runners only.
Permit & Season Information
A day use river permit is required year-round for all boating day trips on the Green and Colorado Rivers above the Confluence (Flatwater) and Cataract Canyon (up to a maximum of 40 people).
Reservations for the entire calendar year open on January 1. Permits are available both online and in person. Any permits not reserved online will be available in person at the park headquarters Backcountry Permit Office during Operating Hours & Seasons. There is no fee for day use permits obtained in person.
Need to Know
Who needs a Day Use River Permit? Canyonlands National Park requires a permit for all boating day trips (1 to 40 people) on the Green and Colorado Rivers for travel above the Green and Colorado River confluence (Flatwater ) and below (Cataract Canyon /whitewater).
BEFORE YOU RESERVE YOUR PERMIT:
1. Review the Canyonlands Boating Information Guide and River Regulations. For more trip planning information, visit the Boating page and/or contact the Backcountry Permit Office (email canyres@nps.gov or call (435) 259-4351).
2. Review the information on the web pages listed below and watch the mandatory video(s). If you plan to boat through Cataract Canyon, also read the Flatwater web page and watch the Flatwater video since you cannot bypass the flatwater sections on your way to Cataract Canyon.
- Flatwater. Flatwater day trips are not easy to coordinate and are only for those with well-planned out itineraries or motorized boats. There are very limited river access points (all outside the park boundary).
- Cataract Canyon. Cataract Canyon is a challenging stretch of river at all water levels. You must have a motorized boat to complete Cataract Canyon in a day.
These permits are only for experienced private (or commercial*) boaters familiar with boating in Canyonlands National Park. Most day trips require motorized boats. *Park-authorized Commercial Guides also offer boat trips.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR RESERVATION:
The permit is for day use only on the date you select. Book an Overnight River Permit if you plan to camp along the river.
A river permit requires that you follow the River Regulations which specify mandatory equipment, requirements for human waste disposal, PFDs, Food/Trash Storage and disposal, campfires and more.
Launch Points. When you book your trip, you must enter your launch and end points. Launch points are limited and all outside of the park boundary. Read more about launch points and takeouts in the park’s Boating Information Guide. Day use river permits do not allow travel on the Colorado River above the Potash boat ramp or for travel on the Green River above Mineral Bottom boat ramp. River maps are available through the Canyonlands Park Store.
- Flatwater trips on the Green River often launch from Green River State Park, Ruby Ranch or Mineral Bottom. Flatwater trips on the Colorado River typically use the Potash or Moab boat ramps.
- Cataract Canyon (whitewater) trips launch from Potash, Moab, Green River State Park or Mineral Bottom.
Motorized Boats Required for Cataract Canyon and Recommended for Flatwater. Cataract Canyon is a challenging stretch of river at all water levels and is only recommended for experienced boaters. You must have a motorized boat to complete Cataract Canyon (and most other river trips) in a day.
Motorized Boat Registration and Equipment. All motorized boats, including out-of-state boaters, must have valid state registration, decals, placards, and a serviceable fire extinguisher. Boats with out-of-state registration are allowed on Utah waters for 60 days per calendar year; hull numbers are required.
Know the laws on invasive aquatic species (Quagga Mussels). View Aquatic Invasive Species in Utah for more information.
Park Entrance Fee. The park charges an entrance fee which we encourage you to purchase a few days in advance since all launch points are outside the park. The park also honors valid annual or lifetime America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes (e.g. Senior, Military, 4th Grade, etc.) also known as interagency passes. For more information visit the park's Fees & Passes web page.
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee: There is a non-refundable $6.00 reservation fee for each permit.
Permit Fee: There is a $10 per person fee for Cataract Canyon trips only.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy:
Once a reservation is booked, it is non-refundable.
Change Policy:
No permit changes are allowed once the reservation is completed. You may cancel and rebook the reservation.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
2282 SW Resource Blvd. Moab UT 84532
canyres@nps.gov
Phone Number
435-259-4351
