Reservation7/10
Canyonlands Overnight River cancellations
Camp in the river corridor inside Canyonlands for up to 14 days, on flatwater ab...
Canyonlands Day Use River Permit
Colorado Plateau Rivers · Utah
You book a launch date, not campsites
One-day boating on the Green and Colorado Rivers inside Canyonlands National Park, on flatwater above the confluence or through Cataract Canyon below it.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Canyonlands Day River were gone within 5 minutes.
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Canyonlands Day River Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelLow4/10
Cost$6 reservation fee, plus $10 per person for Cataract Canyon trips and the park entrance fee
Max Group Size40 people
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeRiver Access
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level4/10
LocationCanyonlands National Park, UT
What to Expect
Route Details
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
1 day
Difficulty
ExpertHighlights
- •An entry-point choice between Flatwater and Cataract Canyon that cannot be changed later
- •14 miles of Class III to V whitewater below the confluence in Cataract Canyon
- •Flatwater miles above the confluence suited to canoes and sea kayaks
- •Very limited river access, all of it outside the park boundary
- •A mandatory video to watch before you book
Best Time to Visit
Permits are required year-round and the whole calendar year releases at once on January 1, so pick your date around flows and heat rather than around a release window.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Cataract Canyon is subject to extreme water level fluctuations and NPS calls it hazardous and isolated
- !Strong up-canyon winds
- !Very limited access points for any evacuation
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
☁️
84°
66°
Thu
☁️
85°
59°
Fri
☁️
82°
64°
Sat
☁️
84°
63°
Sun
☁️
86°
68°
Mon
🌧️
73°
58°
49%
Tue
🌧️
71°
54°
36%
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand1/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill3/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Navigation3/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment4/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Intermediate hikers comfortable with long days and moderate challenges.
Recommended Experience
Multi-day backpacking or river experience recommended.
About This Permit
Canyonlands requires a river permit for every boat entering the park on the Green and Colorado, and the day-use version is the one that does not let you camp. Reservations for the entire calendar year open on January 1.
You pick an entry point when you book, and the choice matters more than it looks. Flatwater covers the miles above the confluence where the rivers are canoe and sea kayak water. Cataract Canyon is the 14-mile stretch below the confluence where the combined flow drops through Class III to V whitewater. NPS says a day trip through Cataract requires a motorized boat, and booking the wrong entry point means cancelling and rebooking with no refund of the reservation fee.
Flatwater day trips are awkward by design. All the river access points sit outside the park boundary, and non-motorized boats need a commercial upriver shuttle to get back.
Rules & Regulations
- •Group size is limited to 40 people
- •Reservations for the entire calendar year open on January 1
- •This permit does not allow camping in the river corridor
- •No travel on the Colorado above the Potash boat ramp or on the Green above Mineral Bottom
- •A motorized boat is required to complete Cataract Canyon in a day
- •No changes once the reservation is completed, only cancel and rebook
- •Print or download the permit 7 days before your trip
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Canyonlands Day River
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Safety & Planning
Canyonlands Day River FAQ
Do I need a Canyonlands day use river permit for a flatwater paddle?
Yes. NPS requires a permit for all boats entering the park on the Green and Colorado Rivers, and each group of 1 to 40 people needs one printed or digital copy in their possession.
Can I camp with a Canyonlands day use river permit?
No. The day use permit does not authorize camping in the river corridor. Camping needs the Canyonlands overnight river permit.
Do I need a motor to run Cataract Canyon in a day?
Yes. NPS states a motorized boat is required to complete Cataract Canyon in a day.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportCan't Get a Canyonlands Day River Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
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Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Canyonlands Day River trip
Very HardIn Demand26 sitesCanyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
Canyonlands National Park
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Very HardIn Demand3 sitesCanyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites
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