Canyonlands Overnight River Permit
Colorado Plateau Rivers · Utah
Camp in the river corridor inside Canyonlands for up to 14 days, on flatwater above the confluence or through the Class III to V water of Cataract Canyon.
Get an alert when a Canyonlands Overnight launch date opens.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Canyonlands Overnight were gone within 10 minutes.
Canyonlands Overnight reservation dates
- max group size
- 40people
How to get a Canyonlands Overnight permit
As of September 2026, Canyonlands Overnight in Colorado Plateau Rivers, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Canyonlands Overnight is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Canyonlands Overnight 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 Overnight: Live availability activityWhen Canyonlands Overnight permits open upDo I need a Canyonlands Overnight River permit?
How much a Canyonlands Overnight permit costs
Canyonlands Overnight permit fee: $36 reservation fee, plus $25 per person and the park entrance fee.
The Canyonlands Overnight trip
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 2-14 days
- Difficulty
- Expert
About this permit
This is the permit for Cataract Canyon, the 14 miles below the confluence of the Green and the Colorado where the combined flow drops through Class III to V whitewater. It also covers flatwater camping above the confluence.
NPS publishes no daily launch limit here, which makes the release dates the thing to plan around rather than a quota race. Reservations for the April 14 to October 15 season opened December 14, and the October 16 to April 13 season opened June 15, both at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. Advance online reservations close two days before a launch date.
The entry point you choose is binding. Pick Cataract Canyon if you plan to run the rapids and Flatwater if you do not, because NPS will not refund the $36 fee when a group books the wrong one. Non-motorized flatwater trips have to reserve a commercial upriver shuttle from Spanish Bottom before booking the permit at all.
Canyonlands Overnight trip highlights
- 14 miles of Class III to V whitewater below the confluence
- Up to 14 days camping in the river corridor
- A binding entry-point choice between Flatwater and Cataract Canyon
- A crossing of part of Lake Powell to reach the Cataract take-out, where NPS recommends motors
- A mandatory video before booking
How hard the Canyonlands Overnight 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 Overnight
Best time to visit
The April 14 to October 15 season and the October 16 to April 13 season release separately at 8:00 a.m. MST, on December 14 and June 15 respectively. Cataract flows peak with spring runoff.
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 Overnight rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01Group size is limited to 40 people and trips may run up to 14 days
- 02There are no daily launch limits
- 03Non-motorized flatwater trips must book a commercial upriver shuttle from Spanish Bottom before reserving
- 04Advance online reservations close 2 days before the launch date
- 05Permits are self-issue and printable up to 7 days before launch
- 06The alternate trip leader must be entered at booking and cannot be changed later
- 07No changes once the permit is printed, only cancel and rebook
- 08Valid within Canyonlands only, downstream of the Potash and Mineral Bottom ramps
Hazards & considerations
- Extreme water level fluctuations in Cataract Canyon, which NPS calls hazardous and isolated
- Strong up-canyon winds on the flatwater section of the take-out crossing
- A shifting boundary between the end of the river and the start of Lake Powell
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Canyonlands Overnight.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Canyonlands Overnight · 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 Overnight FAQ
Is there a launch quota on the Canyonlands overnight river permit?
No. NPS states there are no daily launch limits for this permit. The constraint is the release date and the shuttle requirement, not a quota.
When do Canyonlands overnight river permits get released?
In two blocks at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. The April 14 to October 15 season opened December 14 and the October 16 to April 13 season opened June 15.
What happens if I book the wrong Canyonlands river entry point?
You have to cancel and book a new permit, and NPS does not refund the $36 reservation fee in that case. Choose Cataract Canyon if you plan to run the rapids and Flatwater if you do not.
Do I need a shuttle for a Canyonlands flatwater river trip?
If you are non-motorized, yes. NPS requires you to reserve a commercial upriver shuttle from Spanish Bottom before you make the permit reservation.
Canyonlands Overnight 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 Overnight.
Trip Reports
Write ReportNo trip reports yet
Be the first to share your experience at Canyonlands Overnight.
Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Canyonlands Overnight permit
- Easier AlternativePermit required
Canyonlands Day Use River
Same rivers and entry points for a single day, with no camping.
Tradeoffs
$6 plus $10 per person for Cataract instead of $36 plus $25. A day run through Cataract needs a motor.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Desolation & Gray Canyons
84 miles of Green River upstream of Canyonlands, run over about five days.
Tradeoffs
Easier whitewater and a lottery rather than a fixed release date.
Where to stay near Canyonlands Overnight
- 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.