San Juan River Permits
A permit is required year-round to float any section of the San Juan River between Montezuma Creek and Clay Hills. Permits are only issued through a pre-season lottery and advance reservations to individuals 18 and older. Do not show up at the launch ramp without a permit expecting to launch or join another group. The maximum group size is 25 persons. No pets are allowed.
How to Obtain a Permit
The San Juan River permit lottery and reservations are now available at www.recreation.gov. The process for obtaining a permit varies depending on the launch date of your desired trip.
Trips Launching January 1st - April 14th
Launch reservations may be reserved in advance at www.recreation.gov, beginning December 1st at 10:00am (ET). Full payment of per person permit fees and a $6 non-refundable transaction fee must be made at the time of transaction in order to book a permit. Please read the refund policy carefully before submitting payment. There are no per person permit fees for trips launching prior to March 1st, however, the $6 transaction fee still applies. Cancellations will be made available to other boaters within 24 hours of the cancellation.
Trips Launching April 15 - July 15
Launch reservations are initially issued through a permit lottery. Remaining available launch dates and launch cancellations are then issued through advance reservations.
- Lottery: Lottery applications for San Juan River permits will be accepted from December 1st to January 31st at 11:59 p.m. (ET) at www.recreation.gov. There is a $6 non-refundable transaction fee to apply. Applicants will be notified of the lottery results on their Recreation.gov accounts and via email on February 12th. Successful applicants must accept and pay the per person permit fees for their awarded reservation by March 15th at 11:59 p.m (ET). Please read the refund policy carefully before submitting payment. Unaccepted reservations and cancellations will made available to other boaters starting March 16th.
- Advance Reservations: Following the lottery, available launches and cancellations may be reserved in advance at www.recreation.gov, beginning March 16th at 10:00 a.m. (ET). Full payment of per person permit fees and a $6 non-refundable transaction fee must be made at the time of transaction in order to book a permit. Please read the refund policy carefully before submitting payment. Cancellations made on or after March 16th will be made available to other boaters within 24 hours of the cancellation.
Trips Launching July 16 - December 31
Launch reservations may be reserved in advance at www.recreation.gov, beginning March 16th at 10:00 a.m. (ET). Full payment of per person permit fees and a $6 non-refundable transaction fee must be made at the time of transaction in order to book a permit. Please read the refund policy carefully before submitting payment. There are no per person permit fees for trips launching on or after November 1st, however, the $6 transaction fee still applies. Cancellations will be made available to other boaters within 24 hours of the cancellation.
Contact Information
River Office Phone: (435) 587-1544
River Office Hours: 8:00am - 12pm (MDT), Monday - Friday
Email: blm_ut_sanjuan_permits@blm.gov