This is not a complete list of western rivers, but are rivers that require private trip permits. This is a resource so you can plan your next whitewater adventure. Many are wild and scenic or are under study. There are many more western rivers that don't require permits.

Each river permit requires a different format based on the river manager. Each manager may have different dates when applications are accepted. Applicants must be eighteen years of age. The permit system is usually a lottery. Offices are open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and closed on government holidays. Whitewater rafts and kayaks are the preferred boats. The American River Management Society has more information about the appropriate use of rivers and management.

TUOLUMNE RIVER
(Lumsden to Wards Ferry)
U.S. Forest Service
Groveland Ranger District
P.O. Box 709
Groveland, CA 95321
(209) 962-7825
State: California (Pacific Time) / Permits required between: Year round / Applications accepted: Year round / Trip party size: 16 people maximum / River length of trip: 40 miles / Class: 4 plus / Skill level: Advanced / Shuttle length: 60 miles paved road / Scenic qualities: A plus / Comments: California's best!!! Road conditions may restrict access. Dangerous at high flows. Two day trips most common. Application fee $10. Request application in October. First come basis for permit.

KERN RIVER
(Upper and lower forks of the Kern)
U.S. Forest Service
Cannell Meadow Ranger District
Sequoia National Forest
P.O. Box 6
Kernville, CA 93238
(619) 376-3781
State: California (Pacific Time) / Permits required between: Year round if entering the Golden Trout Wilderness / Applications accepted: call / Trip party size: 18 people maximum / River length of trip: 40 miles upper 10 miles wilderness area / Class: 4 -5 plus / Skill level: Very Advanced / Shuttle length: Long time dude / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: Dangerous at all flows

DELORES RIVER
(Bradfield Bridge to Bedrock)
Bureau of Land Management
San Juan Resource Area
Federal Building
701 Camino Del Rio
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-4082
(800) 276-4828 River Flow Phone: Gunnison / Delores / Colorado rivers
(970) 382-2258 River Information Hot Line
State: Colorado (Mountain Time) / Permits required between: None required at this time / Trip party size: 25 people maximum / Slickrock down 16 people maximum / River length of trip: 100 miles / Class: 3-4 / Skill level: Intermediate / Shuttle length: 2-3 hours / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: Snagletooth rapid class 4 scout, Short season, unrunnable late summer

DOLORES RIVER / GUNNISON RIVER
(Delores River Below Bedrock) Bureau of Land Management
Montrose District Office
2505 So. Townsend
Montrose, CO 81401
(303) 249-7791
(See phone numbers above for more information). No permits required at this time, but 1996 permits may be required. Check ahead.

ROGUE RIVER
(From Grave Creek to Foster Creek Bar)
Obtain private river permit applications from:
BLM Medford District.
River Permits/Information.
14335 Galice Road
Merlin, OR. 97532-9725
(541) 479-3735

Send permit applications to:
TRI
P.O. Box 55
Roseburg, OR 97470
(541) 672-4168 voice, fax (541) 672-4192
TRI Rogue River Lottery Internet Sign Up
Rogue River Information
State: Oregon (Pacific Time) / Permits required between: May 15 through October 15 / Applications accepted: December 1 through January 31 / Trip party size: 20 people maximum / River length of trip: 28 miles Class: 3 plus / Skill level: Intermediate / Shuttle length: 40 miles paved road / Scenic qualities: AA plus / Comments: National wild and scenic river, most trips leisurely 3-4 days, Rainie Falls 1.7 miles down from Grave Creek 10 ft. Vertical drop. $5 application fee for lottery and $12 launch fee per person.

ILLINOIS RIVER
U.S. Forest Service
Galice Ranger District
P.O. Box 1131
Grants Pass, OR 97526
(503) 479-3735
State: Oregon (Pacific time) / Permits required between: Year round / Applications accepted: Year round / Trip party size: 20 people maximum / River length of trip: 32 miles / Class: 4 / Skill level: Advanced / Shuttle length: 150 miles paved, gravel, dirt (4 hrs.) / Scenic qualities: A plus / Comments: Portage Green Wall in high water, Oregon Scenic Waterway, High rain produces extremely dangerous flows.

LOWER OWYHEE RIVER
(Rome to Reservoir)
Bureau of Land Management
Vale District
Box 700
Vale, OR 97918
(503) 473-3144
(503) 249-0666 River Flow Information
State: Oregon (Pacific Time) / Permits required between: None at this time / Applications accepted: Register with rangers in Rome March 15 to June 15 / Trip party size: 20 people maximum / River length of trip: 67 miles 5 to 6 days / Class: 3 plus / Skill level: Intermediate / Shuttle length: 70 miles / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: 1200 cfs minimum flow March and April best months.

BRENEAU /JARBRIDGE/UPPER OWYHEE
Bureau of Land Management
Boise District Office
3948 Development Road
Boise, ID 83705
(208) 384-3300
State: Idaho (Mountain Time) / Permits required between: Voluntary / Applications accepted: Year round / Trip party size: 10 people maximum / River length of trip: 2 to 6 day trip / Class: 3 to 4 / Skill level: Advanced / Shuttle length: 4 to 8 hours driving / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: Unique little traveled rivers.

MAIN SALMON RIVER
(From Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar)
U.S. Forest Service
North Fork Ranger District
P.O. Box 180
North Fork, ID 83466
(208) 865-2383
State: Idaho (mountain Time) / Permits required between: June 20 through September 7 / Applications accepted: December 1 to January 31 / Trip party size: 30 people maximum / River length of trip: 88 miles 4 to 6 days / Class: 3 to 4 / Skill level: Intermediate / Shuttle length: 385 miles paved and gravel roads / Scenic qualities: A plus / Comments: Fire pans are required, portable toilets are required. Request application October 1st. $6 fee

MIDDLE FORK OF THE SALMON RIVER
U.S. Forest Service
P.O. Box 750
Challis, ID 83226
(208) 879-4321
(208) 327-7865 River Flow Information for Idaho
State: Idaho (Mountain Time) / Permits required between: June 1 through September 3 / Applications accepted: December 1 through January 31 / Trip party size: 24 persons maximum / River length of trip: 5 to 6 days, 100 miles - 8 day stay limit maximum / Class: 3 - 4 plus / Skill level: Advanced / Shuttle length: 270 miles gravel and paved / Scenic qualities: A plus / Comments: $6 application fee. Request application October 1st. Fire pans required, snow blocks road access until June 15.

SNAKE RIVER
(From Hells Canyon Dam to Oregon Washington State Line)
U.S. Forest Service
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 699
Clarkston, WA 99403
(509) 758-1957
(800) 422-3143 River Flow Information
State: Oregon/Idaho State Line (Pacific Time) / Permits required between: May 26 through September 15 / Applications accepted: December 1 through January 31 / Trip party size: 30 people maximum / River length of trip: 75 miles / Class: 3-4 / Skill level: Intermediate / Shuttle length: 200 to 300 miles one way paved / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: Fire pan required.

SNAKE RIVER
(Hells Canyon)
U.S. Forest Service
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 699
Clarkston, WA 99403
(509) 758-0616
State: Idaho (Mountain Time) / Permits required between: May 15 through September 15 / Applications accepted: December 1 to January 31 / Trip party size: 30 people maximum / River length of trip: 100 miles / Class: 3 / Skill level: Intermediate / Shuttle length: 200-300 miles one way paved and gravel roads / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: Special phone for reservations $6 application fee. Request application October 1st.

SELWAY RIVER
(Paradise Launch Site to Selway Falls)
U.S. Forest Service
West Fork Ranger District
6735 West Fork Road
Darby, MT 59829
(406) 821-3269
State: Montana (Mountain time) / Permits required between: May 15 to July 31 / Applications accepted: December 1 to January 31 / Trip party size: 16 people maximum / River length of trip: 47 miles Paradise to Selway Falls / Class: 4 / Skill level: Advanced / Shuttle length: 245 miles paved and gravel roads / Scenic qualities: A plus / Comments: May launch dates may encounter snow blocking roads. $6 fee request application October 1st.

YAMPA RIVER
National Park Service
Dinosaur National Monument
P.O. Box 210/4545 Hwy 40
Dinosaur, CO 81610
(970) 374-3000
State: Permits required between: Applications accepted: Trip party size: River length of trip: 3 to 5 day trip May / June Lodore to Split Mountain 3 to 5 days / 139 mile shuttle seven miles gravel road Class: Skill level: Shuttle length: 89 miles paved roads / Scenic qualities: Comments: $10 application fee $40 launch fee March notification for lottery.

GREEN RIVER
(Dinosaur National Monument)
National Park Service
Dinosaur National Monument
P.O. Box 210/4545 Hwy 40
Dinosaur, CO 81610
(970) 374-3000
State: Utah (Mountain Time) / Permits required Year Round on either the Yampa or the Green (Gates of Lodore) rivers within Dinosaur National Monument, Trip party size: 25 people maximum / River length of trip:(unknown) / Class: 3 / Skill level: Intermediate / Shuttle length: 139 miles paved 8 miles gravel / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: $10 application fee and $40 launch fee, March notification, call for more information.

GREEN RIVER
(Desolation and Gray Canyons)
Bureau of Land Management
900 N. 700 E.
Price, UT 84501
(801) 637-4584 - 637-4591
State: Utah (Mountain Time) / Permits required between: April 1 to October 1 / Applications accepted: December 1 to January 31 / Trip party size: 25 people maximum / River length of trip: 84 miles / Class: 3 / Skill level: Intermediate / Shuttle length: 150 miles paved and gravel / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: $13 per person fee. one trip per person per year.

COLORADO RIVER
(Cataract Canyon)
Canyon Lands National Park
2282 S.W. Resource Blvd.
Moab, UT 84532
(801) 259-7164
(801) 259-2911 ext.2120
State: Utah (Mountain Time) / Permits required between: Year round / Applications accepted: December 15 to January 31 / Trip party size: 40 people maximum / River length of trip: 3 to 7 days / Class: 4 plus / Skill level: Advanced / Shuttle length: unknown / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: First come basis for permit, $30 application fee. Waiting list, high water May and June

COLORAD0 RIVER
(Westwater Canyon)
Bureau of Land Management
Moab Field Office
82 E. Dogwood
Moab, UT 84532
((435) 259-7012
State: Utah (Mountain Time) / Permits required between: Year round / Applications accepted: N/A / Trip party size: 25 / River length of trip: 17 miles / Class: 3 plus / Skill level: Advanced / Shuttle length: 30 miles / Scenic qualities: A / Comments: Permits become available two months prior to launch date through a call-in system. $7 per person fee. Dangerous at medium and high flows. See www.blm.gov/utah/moab/ww.info.

COLORADO RIVER
(Grand Canyon)
National Park Service
River Sub District
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon , AZ 86023
(602) 638-7888
State: Arizona (Mountain Time) / Permits required between: Year around / Applications accepted: February / Trip party size: 15 people maximum / River length of trip: 225 to 280 miles oar powered 13 to 18 days, motored 7-9 days. Other options also. / Class: 1 to 10 Colorado scale of difficulty / Skill level: Advanced / Shuttle length: 264 or 359 miles / Scenic qualities: AAA / Comments: Six years waiting list, but call for cancellations. $25 waiting list fee (one time), and $50 launch fee.

SAN JUAN RIVER
Bureau of Land Management
San Juan Resource Area
P.O. Box 7
Monticello, UT 84535
(435) 587-1544
State: Utah (Mountain Time) / Permits required between April 1 to October 1 / Notified by March 1, Fees $4.50 per person, upper - $9.50 per person, lower - $12.50 per person Both /

SMITH RIVER
Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks
4600 Giant Springs Rd., Box 6610
Great Falls, MT 59406
(406) 454-3441
State: Montana (Mountain time) / Permits required April 1 to October 1 / Applications accepted December 1 to February 15 / Lottery for application before February 15 first come basis after / $15 per person launch fee May to Sept.; $7.50 per person April and August.

RIO CHAMA RIVER
Bureau of Land Management
Taos Resource Area
224 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-8851
State: New Mexico / Applications received December 1 - February 1 / Notification March 1 / $5 application fee and $5 per person launch fee.

SALT RIVER
U.S. Forest Service
Tonto National Forest
2324 East McDowell
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 225-5200
Globe Ranger Station (602) 425-7180
State: Arizona (Mountain time) / Permits required between: March 1 to May 15 / Applications accepted: December 1 to July 31 lottery / Trip party size: 15 people maximum / River trip length: 50 miles total / Class 3-4 / Skill level: Intermediate-Advanced / Shuttle length: 1-1/2 hours / Scenic qualities: A Sonora desert / Fees: $5 application fee plus $2 per person / Comments: high flows above 6000 cfs. Permit required for all wilderness area except 20 miles. This can be a four day run. Fire pans and porta potties required. River recreation guide and map is available on request. / Additional permit required for Indian Reservation area contact: Department of Fish and Game White Mountain Station P.O. Box 220 White River, AZ 85941 (602) 338-4385 Fee: $10 per person per day (two days usually required).

TATSHENSHINI AND ALSEK RIVERS
National Park Service
Uakutat Ranger Station
P.O. Box 137
Yakutat, AK 99689
(907) 784-3370 Information line and permit cancellations. (907) 784-3295 Park office
State: Alaska (Pacific time) / Permits required between: Year round / Applications accepted: Year round / Trip party size: 15 people maximum / River length of trip 140 miles (10 days average) / Class 2 -3 plus / Skill level: advanced / Shuttle length: 105 miles by air (no roads) / Scenic qualities: AAA plus / Comments: Premier Alaskan scenic wilderness trip. Prime season June 10 to September 17th. No facilities on river, remote wilderness trip. No motors allowed. Preferred boats are rafts and kayaks (NOTE: kayaks are not carried by many bush pilots) Not suitable for folding kayaks or open canoes. / Waiting list fee: $25. Permit fee $100.