Background

In early 2006, after the completion of an extensive, multi-year public planning process, a weighted lottery system was selected for Grand Canyon National Park's noncommercial river permit system. The first weighted lottery was held in October 2006, and many follow-up lotteries have since taken place. Prior to the adoption of the weighted lottery system a waitlist was used to assign river launch dates.

The Annual Main Lottery

Each year in February a main lottery is held to assigned launch dates for river trips occurring the next year. Follow-up lotteries are then held as needed throughout the remainder of the year to reassign cancelled and/or left-over trips river trips.

Lottery Eligibility Requirements

You must be least 18 years old and not already a member of other noncommercial or commercial trips launching within the applied for year. No one may be listed on more than one application.

Lottery Costs

The yearly lottery application fee is $25. This covers the main lottery plus all follow-up lotteries for cancelled and/or left-over trips launching within the same applied-for year. Applicants who win through the lottery are immediately charged an additional $400 non-refundable trip deposit (applied towards the final $100 per person cost of the permit).

Setting up a Profile and Registering to Receive Email Updates

You can access the weighted lottery website (https://npspermits.us/) for free year-round to setup a profile, modify an existing profile, or to sign up to receive email updates on upcoming releases of launch dates and river news. Even if you are presently not seeking a river trip but are interested in a future date, you are strongly encouraged to register.

How to Apply

Lottery applications are accepted through the weighted lottery website (https://npspermits.us/) only when lotteries are open. During those times, you login and click on "Create Lottery Application" (this button is only visible when a lottery is accepting applications).

More information about applying and about other river and lottery related questions can be found at the River and Weighted Lottery FAQ page.

Having problems accessing the weighted lottery website? Check to be sure both Java and JavaScript are enabled in your browser. Or just type the web address (https://npspermits.us/) into your browser's address bar.

Many improvements and advanced features will be added to the weighted lottery website throughout the year. Suggestions are welcome: please email the River Permits Office.