Canyonlands Day Use River Permit
Colorado Plateau Rivers · Utah
One-day boating on the Green and Colorado Rivers inside Canyonlands National Park, on flatwater above the confluence or through Cataract Canyon below it.
Get an alert when a Canyonlands Day River launch date opens.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Canyonlands Day River were gone within 10 minutes.
Canyonlands Day River reservation dates
- max group size
- 40people
How to get a Canyonlands Day River permit
As of September 2026, Canyonlands Day River in Colorado Plateau Rivers, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Canyonlands Day River rates 4/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Canyonlands Day River permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.
- Type
- River Access
- Location
- Canyonlands National Park, UT
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Canyonlands Day River: Live availability activityWhen Canyonlands Day River permits open up
How much a Canyonlands Day River permit costs
Canyonlands Day River permit fee: $6 reservation fee, plus $10 per person for Cataract Canyon trips and the park entrance fee.
The Canyonlands Day River trip
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 1 day
- Difficulty
- Expert
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.
Canyonlands Day River trip highlights
- 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
How hard the Canyonlands Day River trip is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required1/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity3/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Intermediate hikers comfortable with long days and moderate challenges.
Recommended experience: Multi-day backpacking or river experience recommended.
When to float Canyonlands Day River
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.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
75°
64°
32%
Tue
70°
59°
40%
Wed
81°
59°
46%
Thu
82°
58°
Fri
85°
61°
Sat
86°
63°
Sun
87°
66°
Canyonlands Day River rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01Group size is limited to 40 people
- 02Reservations for the entire calendar year open on January 1
- 03This permit does not allow camping in the river corridor
- 04No travel on the Colorado above the Potash boat ramp or on the Green above Mineral Bottom
- 05A motorized boat is required to complete Cataract Canyon in a day
- 06No changes once the reservation is completed, only cancel and rebook
- 07Print or download the permit 7 days before your trip
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
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Canyonlands Day River.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Canyonlands Day River · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
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.
Canyonlands Day River river conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Canyonlands Day River.
Trip Reports
Write ReportNo trip reports yet
Be the first to share your experience at Canyonlands Day River.
Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Canyonlands Day River permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Canyonlands Overnight River
The same rivers and entry points, with up to 14 days camping in the river corridor.
Tradeoffs
A $36 reservation fee and $25 per person instead of $6 and $10. No daily launch limit either way.
Where to stay near Canyonlands Day River
- Sand Flats Recreation Area Group CampsitesSand Flats Recreation Area
- Kings Bottom Group SiteMoab Field Office (BLM)
- Hunter Canyon Group SiteBureau of Land Management
- All Utah campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
Build your full itinerary start to finish
Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.
No permit needed to start
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our permit pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.