River permits › Stillwater & Meander
Permit GuideStillwater & Meander Canyon Permits
The two flatwater approaches to the Confluence, both inside Canyonlands National Park, both on the same permit system as Cataract. No lottery, no daily launch cap, and generally the easiest Park Service river permits to get in the region.
Both sections use the same Canyonlands permit on Recreation.gov. Windows open 14 December for launches 14 April to 15 October, and 15 June for 16 October to 13 April. Overnight permits cost $36 plus $25 per person; flatwater day use is $6 online or free in person at park headquarters. Group limit 40, maximum 14 nights, no lottery, no daily cap.
At a glance
- Managing agency
- National Park Service. Canyonlands
- Permit required
- Yes, for all park river trips
- Allocation
- Rolling reservation. No lottery, no daily cap.
- Difficulty
- Flatwater
- Group size limit
- 40 people
- Maximum stay
- 14 consecutive nights
- Overnight fee
- $36 reservation + $25 per person
- Day use fee
- $6 online, or free in person at park HQ
- Book at
- Recreation.gov permit 621748
Which Section Is Which
| Section | River | Runs from |
|---|---|---|
| Stillwater Canyon | Green | Mineral Bottom downstream to the Confluence |
| Meander Canyon | Colorado | Upstream of the park downstream to the Confluence |
Both are flatwater the whole way, both end at the Confluence of the Green and the Colorado, and both are covered by the same permit and the same fee schedule.
Stillwater is the natural continuation of Labyrinth Canyon. Many parties run the two together as one long trip, but they are separate permits from separate agencies, and you need both.
What It Costs
| Permit type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Flatwater overnight | $36 reservation, including the $6 Recreation.gov fee, plus $25 per person |
| Flatwater day use | $6 Recreation.gov fee if booked online, no fee if collected in person at park headquarters |
| All fees are non-refundable, including the $36 reservation fee. | |
The in-person day-use option is worth knowing about: collected at park headquarters, a flatwater day permit costs nothing at all.
Booking Windows
| If your launch date is | The window opens |
|---|---|
| 14 April to 15 October | 14 December |
| 16 October to 13 April | 15 June |
Overnight reservations close two days before launch. Day-use permits remain available up to 24 hours ahead. Because there is no daily launch limit, these are among the easier permits in the region to obtain late.
The Confluence Rule
A flatwater permit covers you to the Confluence. It does not cover Cataract Canyon, which begins below it and is Class III to V whitewater. If your float plan continues downstream, you need the appropriate Cataract permit and the whitewater experience to match.
This catches out private boaters who think of the Green and Colorado as one continuous trip. They are, geographically. They are not, as far as your permit and your safety margin are concerned.
Flatwater trips ending at the Confluence cannot simply drift out. The only way downstream is through Cataract. Most parties arrange a motorised pickup, and the practical options change over time. Confirm current arrangements with the Backcountry Permit Office on (435) 241-3110 or with a local shuttle operator well before your launch date.
Other Rules Worth Knowing
- Group size is capped at 40 on private trips.
- Permits run up to 14 consecutive nights.
- Caching supplies requires written notification to the district ranger, everything must be removed, and 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.
- Separate river regulations apply to all trips, covering equipment, waste and camping.
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.
Stillwater & Meander Permit FAQ
Is there a lottery for Stillwater or Meander permits?
No. Canyonlands allocates all river permits through rolling reservation windows on Recreation.gov, with no lottery and no daily launch limits.
Can I get a free day-use permit?
Yes, for flatwater. A flatwater day-use permit costs $6 if reserved online, but nothing if you collect it in person at park headquarters.
Do I need a separate permit for Labyrinth Canyon?
Yes. Labyrinth is BLM-managed and requires a free self-issue permit. Stillwater is inside Canyonlands and requires a Park Service permit. Running the two together means holding both.
What happens at the Confluence?
Cataract Canyon begins. Your flatwater permit does not cover it, and it is Class III to V whitewater. Arrange your take-out in advance rather than assuming you can continue.
How many people can be on the permit?
Up to 40 on a private trip, for a maximum of 14 consecutive nights.
Sources
- NPS Canyonlands. River Permits (page last updated 16 October 2025)
- NPS Canyonlands. Flatwater Trips
- Recreation.gov. Canyonlands river permits
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.