River permits › Cataract Canyon
Permit GuideCataract Canyon Permit
Cataract Canyon holds the biggest whitewater in Utah, and getting a permit for it is far easier than the internet suggests. There is no lottery. There are no daily launch limits. What there is, is a reservation window that opens in December, and most people find out about it in April.
Book on Recreation.gov. For a launch between 14 April and 15 October, the window opens on 14 December. For 16 October to 13 April, it opens on 15 June. First come, first served, no lottery, no daily cap. An overnight permit costs $36 plus $25 per person, and reservations close two days before launch.
At a glance
- Managing agency
- National Park Service. Canyonlands National Park
- Permit required
- Yes, for all trips on the Green or Colorado inside the park
- Allocation
- Rolling reservation. No lottery.
- Daily launch cap
- None
- Group size limit
- 40 people (private trips)
- Maximum stay
- 14 consecutive nights
- Overnight fee
- $36 reservation + $25 per person
- Difficulty
- Class III to V, depending on flow
- Typical trip
- 3 to 6 days
- Book at
- Recreation.gov permit 621748
How the Cataract Permit Actually Works
This is the most repeated error about Moab-area permits. Canyonlands allocates river permits through rolling reservation windows on Recreation.gov. There is no draw, no application deadline, and no results date. If you read that you missed a Cataract lottery, you missed nothing. Check availability directly.
Permits are released in two blocks each year, each covering roughly half the calendar:
| If your launch date is | The window opens |
|---|---|
| 14 April to 15 October | 14 December |
| 16 October to 13 April | 15 June |
Both windows open roughly four months before the season they cover. Because there are no daily launch limits in Canyonlands, the pressure is far lower than on capped sections such as Westwater. Booking on opening day is sensible for a peak-season Saturday, but it is not the scramble that other permits demand.
Overnight reservations close two days before your launch date. Day-use permits stay available up to 24 hours ahead.
What It Costs
| Permit type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Overnight | $36 reservation, including the $6 Recreation.gov fee, plus $25 per person |
| Day use | $6 Recreation.gov fee plus $10 per person |
| Worked example from the Park Service: a five-person overnight trip costs $161, $36 reservation plus $125 for five people at $25 each. | |
The $36 reservation fee is not returned if you cancel, and per-person fees are non-refundable too. Confirm your dates and your roster before you pay. Cancellations can be made by email or through Recreation.gov, but the money does not come back.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Four months ahead Note your window opening date 14 December for the main season, 15 June for the off season. Put it in your calendar now. This is where most failed trips actually fail.
- Opening day Reserve on Recreation.gov Use permit 621748. Have your launch date, take-out plan and group size ready. You can also reserve in person at the Backcountry Permit Office in Moab.
- Any time before launch Finalise your group Up to 40 people on a private trip. Per-person fees are assessed on the number you declare.
- Two days before Reservation closes Overnight permits can no longer be reserved after this point. Day-use permits remain available up to 24 hours ahead.
- Before you launch Read the river regulations Canyonlands publishes separate river regulations covering equipment, waste, and camping. They apply to every trip and are not optional.
Rules and Limits Worth Knowing
- Group size is capped at 40 for private trips.
- Permits run up to 14 consecutive nights. Longer trips need to be split or rethought.
- There are no daily launch limits in Canyonlands, which is why availability is better than reputation suggests.
- Caching supplies is tightly controlled. Adding food, water or gear along the route requires written notification to the district ranger, you may not damage resources, and everything must be removed. Nobody may be paid to place a cache for you.
- Academic and organised groups may need a Special Use Permit in addition to the river permit. If you are running a trip for a school, club or institution, ask before you book.
The Backcountry Permit Office in Moab answers trip-planning questions Monday to Friday, 8am to 12pm and 1 to 4pm Mountain Time, on (435) 241-3110. They may answer until 4pm when workload permits, and the office closes when rangers are called out to search and rescue, so call early in the day.
Holding a permit means you may launch. It does not mean this section is within your abilities, that your equipment is adequate, or that conditions on your date are survivable. Assess your group honestly, and if you are unsure, go with a licensed outfitter instead.
Cataract Canyon Permit FAQ
Is there a lottery for Cataract Canyon?
No. Canyonlands allocates river permits through rolling reservation windows on Recreation.gov, with no lottery and no daily launch limits. This is the single most common misconception about the permit.
When do Cataract Canyon permits go on sale?
14 December for launches between 14 April and 15 October, and 15 June for launches between 16 October and 13 April. Both open roughly four months before the season they cover.
How much is a Cataract Canyon permit?
An overnight permit is $36 for the reservation, which includes the $6 Recreation.gov fee, plus $25 per person. A five-person trip therefore costs $161. Day use is $6 plus $10 per person. Nothing is refundable.
How many people can be on a private Cataract trip?
Forty. That is the private-trip group size limit for Canyonlands river permits.
Can I get a Cataract permit last minute?
Overnight reservations close two days before launch, so genuine last-minute overnight trips are not possible. Day-use permits are available up to 24 hours ahead. Because there is no daily cap, mid-week dates outside peak season are often available far later than people expect.
Do I need a permit if I book with an outfitter?
No. Authorised concessioners hold their own permits and your trip runs under theirs. Permits are only your responsibility on private trips.
Sources
- NPS Canyonlands. River Permits (page last updated 16 October 2025)
- Recreation.gov. Canyonlands river permits
- NPS Canyonlands. River Regulations
Last reviewed: July 2026. Permit rules, fees and dates change annually. Confirm with the managing agency before you plan around anything on this page, and if you find something out of date, tell us.