River lottery season is here. Below you’ll find information regarding river lotteries in the US. If this list is missing a river, please leave a comment and it will be added in.
The vast majority of lotteries are conveniently on the same schedule, opening on December 1, closing on January 31, and announcing the results in mid-February for trips happening that same year. The Grand Canyon lottery opens later, in early February, and fortunately for those applying to multiple rivers, are for dates the following year. The Forks of the Kern has been left off as I suspect that they will be transitioning away from that model.
Grand Canyon: Opens early February for three weeks
Grand Canyon. The lottery for the next year opens in the beginning of February. The lottery closes approximately three weeks after that, with winners announced towards the end of February. Application cost: $25. Link to the Grand Canyon lottery page.
Middle Fork of the Salmon: December 1 – January 31
Middle Fork of the Salmon. The MFS is part of the Four Rivers Lottery which also includes Hells Canyon, the Main Salmon, and the Selway. This lottery opens every year on December 1 and closes on January 31, with results announced in mid-February. Application cost: $6. Link to the Middle Fork of the Salmon lottery page.
Main Salmon: December 1 – January 31
Main Salmon. The Main Salmon is part of the Four Rivers Lottery. This lottery opens every year on December 1 and closes on January 31, with results announced in mid-February. Application cost: $6. Link to the Main Salmon lottery page.
Hells canyon: December 1 – January 31
Hells Canyon. Hells is part of the Four Rivers Lottery. This lottery opens every year on December 1 and closes on January 31, with results announced in mid-February. Application cost: $6. Link to the Hells Canyon lottery page.
Selway: December 1 – January 31
Selway. The Selway is part of the Four Rivers Lottery. This lottery opens every year on December 1 and closes on January 31, with results announced in mid-February. Application cost: $6. Link to the Selway lottery page.
Wild & Scenic Rogue: December 1 – January 31
Wild and Scenic Rogue River. The Rogue lottery opens every year on December 1 and closes on January 31. On February 15, the results are emailed out. The application cost is $6. Link to the Rogue River lottery page.
San Juan: December 1 – January 31
San Juan. The San Juan lottery opens on December 1 and closes on January 31. In mid-February, the results are emailed out. The application cost is $6. Link to the San Juan lottery page.
Yampa: December 1 – January 31
Yampa. The Yampa and the Gates of Lodore share a lottery. This opens on December 1 and closes on January 31, with results emailed out in mid-February. The application cost is $15. Link to the Yampa/Gates lottery page.
Gates of Lodore: December 1 – January 31
Gates of Lodore. As mentioned above, this shares a lottery. Lottery opens on December 1 and closes on January 31, with results emailed out in mid-February. The application cost is $15. Link to the Yampa/Gates lottery page.
Deso/Gray: December 1 – January 31
Desolation/Gray: The Deso/Gray lottery opens on December 1 and closes on January 31, with results emailed out in mid-February. The application cost is $6. Link to the Deso/Gray lottery page.
Salt River: December 1 – January 31
Salt River: The Salt River lottery opens on December 1 and closes on January 31, with results emailed out around February 10. The application cost is $6. Link to the Salt River lottery page.
Smith River: January 3 – February 15 (estimated)
Smith River, Montana. Last year, the Smith River opened its lottery on January 3 and closed it on February 15, with results emailed out a week later. No info has been released for this year, however, it should be similar. In addition to the regular lottery, they also have what’s called a “Super Permit” which is a single winner allowing them to choose any date that they want. Users can purchase as many entries as they want, for $5/entry. These entries were opened last year from January 3 to April 1, with the winner announced on April 4. And no, unfortunately, they don’t give the winner an oversized, blown-up permit. Link to the Smith River lottery page.
Rio Chama: December 1 – January 31
Rio Chama: A lottery system is used for Friday and Saturday launches. Other days are first come first served. The lottery opens on December 1 and closes on January 31 with results emailed out in mid-February. The application cost is $6. Link to the Rio Chama lottery.
Hello. Why do we need lottery for river rafting? I thought we’d just book with an outfitter and go.
Hi Jade, the lottery is for those wanting to run the river on their own, as private boaters. You are correct though, anyone can pay a commercial outfitter and jump on a trip with them as a passenger, no lottery necessary.