Lottery10/10
GC Rafting
The ultimate river trip—225 miles through the heart of the Grand Canyon, past bi...
View Colorado River (Grand Canyon) permit details and availabilityGet alerted when this permit opens
We watch this permit around the clock. When a cancellation posts, we send you an alert so you can book before the spot is gone. Pro and $12 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute. Free accounts are checked hourly.
Pro scans every minute · free hourlyPRO
SMS and push (Pro)PRO
Fast Lane booking linkPRO
ReservationRiver AccessModerate Demand
Dolores River (Gateway to Dewey Bridge) Permit
32 miles from Gateway, Colorado to Dewey Bridge, Utah. Unlimited permits, but a runoff season so short that most years it barely happens.
“Multi-day river adventure through Colorado Rivers.”
Watch a launch date— the rest of the trip follows it
Lower Dolores Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelLow4/10
Cost$6 non-refundable reservation fee
Max Group Size25 people
Lower Dolores Permit Facts
- As of August 2026, Lower Dolores in Colorado Plateau Rivers, Wild & Scenic Rivers requires a permit issued via reservation.
- The Lower Dolores route covers 32 miles with rated strenuous.
- Cancelled Lower Dolores permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeRiver Access
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level4/10
LocationColorado Plateau
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
32 miles
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
2-3 days
Difficulty
StrenuousHighlights
- •Technical rapids, side-canyon hiking and few other boaters
- •Stateline Rapid, a mile-long Class IV rock garden at the state line
- •A season that in many years does not open at all
- •No potable water, and silty river water that is hard to filter
- •A take-out on the Colorado River at Dewey Bridge, not on the Dolores
Best Time to Visit
BLM says flows typically peak between late April and early May in high water years. Check the gauge against the craft-specific minimums before you commit to a shuttle.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Stateline Rapid, Class IV, requires scouting at all water levels
- !Flows that can vanish mid-trip on an unregulated desert river
- !No potable water anywhere on the run
- !Search and rescue handled by Grand County, with long response times
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.
When to Go
Peak: OctoberShoulder: March-April
Conditions
Mild temperatures. Occasional rain. Wildflowers in lower elevations.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Pleasant temperatures
- +Fewer crowds than fall
- +Wildflowers
Challenges
- !Unpredictable weather
- !Some areas still muddy
- !Flash flood risk
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand5/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment4/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended Experience
Multi-day backpacking or river experience recommended.
About This Permit
The permit itself is not the hard part on the Lower Dolores. BLM issues an unlimited number of them and opens the whole year on January 1. The hard part is water. BLM's own words are that the Lower Dolores has a very short, erratic and often non-existent boating season, with flows typically peaking between late April and early May.
The run starts just upstream of the Dolores River Bridge in Gateway, Colorado and takes out 32 miles downstream on the Colorado River at Dewey Bridge. The crux is Stateline Rapid, a Class IV rock garden about a mile long that starts at the Colorado-Utah border and that BLM says needs scouting at all water levels.
Because permits are unlimited, watch the gauge rather than the calendar. BLM lists suggested minimums of 200 cfs for canoes, packrafts, kayaks and inflatable kayaks, 800 cfs for rafts under 14 feet, and 1,000 cfs for rafts larger than 14 feet.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Lower Dolores offers a multi-day journey through some of America's most remote wilderness. River permits protect both the resource and the experience, ensuring uncrowded campsites and pristine conditions.
Rules & Regulations
- •Permits are unlimited and the whole year opens on January 1
- •Group size is 1 to 25
- •Permit holders must be 18 or older
- •One person may hold up to three permits at a time
- •The alternate trip leader must be entered at booking and cannot be changed afterward
- •A printed permit must be carried on the trip, available to print 14 days before launch
- •Pets are allowed on the Dolores
- •Private and non-commercial use only
Gear Checklist
Required
- All drinking water, at least a gallon per person per day
- Human waste carry-out system
- Printed permit
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Lower Dolores
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Lower Dolores FAQ
Is the Dolores River permit hard to get?
No. BLM states there is no limit on the number of permits issued and releases the entire year on January 1. Water is the constraint, not the permit.
What flow do I need for a Dolores River trip?
BLM suggests minimums of 200 cfs for canoes, packrafts, kayaks and inflatable kayaks, 800 cfs for rafts under 14 feet, and 1,000 cfs for rafts larger than 14 feet.
How long is the Lower Dolores River permit section?
32 miles, from the put-in just above the Dolores River Bridge in Gateway, Colorado to the Dewey Bridge Recreation Site on the Colorado River in Utah.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
Questions
Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Canyon walls glow during sunset. Position your camp for the best evening light angles.
Best Light
Midday can work in deep canyons where direct light penetrates. Morning offers reflections on calm water.
Beat the Crowds
River trips have built-in crowd control via permits. Focus on timing with natural light.
Classic Shots
- 📍Boat perspective through rapids
- 📍Canyon wall reflections
- 📍Camp setup on river beach
- 📍Wildlife along the shore
Can't Get a Lower Dolores Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Permit Directory
Browse Backcountry Permits
Find permits for day hikes, overnight backpacking, thru-hikes, canyoneering, and river trips across federal and state lands.
National Park Permits
Day-use, overnight, and wilderness permits at America's crown jewels
California Wilderness Permits
Sierra Nevada, Lost Coast, and backcountry access
Utah & BLM Permits
Red rock canyons, slot canyon permits, and desert wilderness
National Forest & Wilderness Permits
USFS wilderness areas with quota systems
Thru-Hikes & Long Trails
Multi-day point-to-point traverses and epic long-distance trails
River Permits
Multi-day rafting and river access permits
California State Park Permits
Backcountry camping and trail permits
Mountaineering & Summit Permits
High-altitude summit permits and technical climbing routes
Browse Permits by Region
National Parks Permits (63)National Forests & Wilderness Permits (106)Wild & Scenic Rivers Permits (25)Thru-Hikes & Long Trails (20)Mountaineering & Summit Permits (9)California Permits (256)Utah & BLM Permits (124)California State Parks Permits (42)State Parks Permits (26)Utah State Parks Permits (17)