2017 River Lottery Deadlines and Cancellation Announcements

With all the snow in the west this winter, the stage is set for a great boating season. Doubtless you've been busy enjoying the snow, but taking some time early in the year to plan your river trips pays huge dividends later. The odds of getting a launch date on some of the nation's most popular rivers are always long, but remember, you can't get lucky if you don't try.

Four Rivers Lottery

The regulated use seasons for the Four Rivers are as follows: 

• Selway River: May 15 through July 31. Permits are not required outside the control season on the Selway River. Pre-season boaters must be off the river before May 15.

• Hells Canyon-Snake River: Friday before Memorial Day through September 10. Permits are required year round, but they do not require advance reservation.

• Main Salmon River: June 20 through September 7. Permits are required year round. Pre- and post-season launch dates can be reserved now.

• Middle Fork of the Salmon River: May 28 through September 3. Permits are required year round. Pre- and post-season launch dates can be reserved now.

Lottery applications are due by January 31, 2017.

You can apply via recreation.gov.

If you missed this January 31 deadline, keep in mind that cancellations do happen! Check the recreation.gov website starting March 16 for dates that have been abandoned by other boaters; available dates should show up within 24 hours of a cancellation. Alternately, start scheming about a late summer or early autumn trip after the lottery season ends.

Rogue River Lottery

The regulated use season for the Rogue Wild and Scenic River is May 15 through October 15.

Lottery applications are due by January 31, 2017.

You can download an application via the National BLM, but applications must be submitted by fax, mail, or phone and arrive by January 31. 

If you missed this January 31 deadline, the BLM may still have extra spaces that they give away by phone in the first five business days of April. Try the Smullin Visitor Center at 541.479.3735. If a group that has been selected doesn't confirm with the exact amount of boaters, the BLM will give away those available spots. Cancellations do happen, and the BLM opens these spots the morning following the cancellation. Finally, you can actually capitalize on a no-show or a day-before cancellation, though this requires an extremely flexible schedule. In each case, a little diligence can mean you'll be enjoying this incredible river later in the year.

Dinosaur National Monument Lottery

The seasons for the Colorado sections of these rivers are as follows:

Green River - Gates of Lodore: May 11 through September 11.

Yampa River: May 11 through July 11.

Lottery applications for multi-day permits are due by January 31, 2017.

You can apply via recreation.gov.

Call the Dinosaur River Office at 970.374.2468 after March 1 to reserve low season dates or to check for cancellations on high season dates.

Desolation Gray Lottery

Permits are required year round. The regulated season for this section of the Green River in Utah is May 1 through September 30. Pre-season (January 1 to April 30) and post-season (October 1 to December 3) reservations can be made now.

Lottery applications for permits are due by January 31, 2017.

You can apply via recreation.gov. Dates made available by cancellations will appear starting March 16.

San Juan River Lottery

Permits are required year round. The lottery regulated season is April 15 through July 15. Trips launching prior to April 15 are available to book now. Trips launching after July 15 will be available to book on March 16.
Lottery applications for multi-day permits are due by January 31, 2017.

You can apply via recreation.gov.

Salt River Canyon Wilderness Lottery

The regulated season multi-day trips on the Upper Salt River is March 1 through May 15.

Lottery applications are due by January 31, 2017.

You can apply via USDA. You can check here for cancellations after February 1, and you can check here for last minute cancellations.

Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River Lottery

The regulated season for multi-day trips is May 1 through September 1.

Lottery applications for weekend launch dates are due by January 31, 2017.

You can apply via USDA. Requests for a weekday launch (Sunday through Thursday) will be accepted starting the first business day of April.

Grand Canyon Lottery

The main lottery for 2017 Grand Canyon trips is open for the first three weeks of February. A weighted lottery process means that applicants earn points that may help their chances to be selected for a river date. It also means that you will be automatically contacted via email when dates and/or spaces are made available during the season.

John Day River

This one is easy! You will need a permit to float the John Day River, but launch permits are unlimited in 2017 for all sections. And with any luck, the snowpack will hold out for a long season of boating on this beautiful river. Permits can be acquired here.

Grande Ronde River

You'll also need a permit to float the Grande Ronde, but these are self-issued and are available at all put-ins. This river can be floated year round, water levels permitting.