The permit library

The rivers worth watching.

These are the permitted, lottery-controlled, and limited-entry rivers we monitor for cancellations. Every one of them is worth the trip.

Middle Fork of the Salmon

IdahoClass III-IV

Hundred miles of wilderness, hot springs, crystal water. The gold standard of multi-day river trips in the lower 48.

5-6 days/100 mi/May-Sep

Main Salmon

IdahoClass III-IV

Big water, big beaches, big canyon. The River of No Return lives up to its name every single trip.

5-6 days/79 mi/Jun-Sep

Selway

IdahoClass III-IV

Legit expert-level whitewater. One group per day on the river keeps it as wild as it gets.

3-4 days/47 mi/May-Jul

Hells Canyon

Idaho/OregonClass III-IV

Deepest gorge in North America. Big rapids, petroglyphs, and more history than you can absorb in a week.

4-6 days/79 mi/May-Sep

Gates of Lodore

Colorado/UtahClass III

Green River through Dinosaur National Monument. Red rock canyons, great camps, and a perfect family trip.

3-4 days/44 mi/May-Sep

Yampa

Colorado/UtahClass III

Last undammed river in the Colorado system. Spring runoff only, so the window is tight and the demand is real.

4-5 days/72 mi/May-Jul

Desolation/Gray Canyon

UtahClass II-III

Everyone's backup river that everyone ends up loving. Huge beaches, easy rapids, total solitude.

5-7 days/84 mi/May-Sep

Rogue River

OregonClass III-IV

You can camp it or lodge-to-lodge it. Old-growth forest, great fishing, and rapids that keep you honest.

3-4 days/34 mi/May-Oct

San Juan River

UtahClass II-III

Desert river through Navajo country. Goosenecks, ruins, petroglyphs, and the most chill float you'll ever do.

2-5 days/26-57 mi/Apr-Jul

Cataract Canyon

UtahClass III-V

Flatwater through Canyonlands into legit big water. The contrast makes the rapids hit even harder.

3-5 days/100 mi/Year-round

Ruby/Horsethief

ColoradoClass I-II

Chill float, no real rapids, red rock canyon walls the whole way. Perfect for families or decompressing.

2-3 days/25 mi/Year-round

Lower Deschutes

OregonClass III

World-class fishing river that also has solid whitewater. Steelhead and trout water with real rapids mixed in.

1-5 days/10-100 mi/Year-round

Salt River Canyon

ArizonaClass III-IV

Saguaro cactus, rattlesnakes on the beach, desert whitewater that only runs in spring. Totally unique.

4-5 days/52 mi/Mar-May

Westwater Canyon

UtahClass III-IV

Colorado River through ancient Precambrian rock. Short trip, punchy rapids, and scenery that feels prehistoric.

1-2 days/11 mi/Apr-Oct
Start monitoring these rivers