River permits › Labyrinth Canyon
Permit GuideLabyrinth Canyon Permit
The easiest river permit near Moab, and the only free one. No lottery, no queue, no reservation window, download a form, email it to BLM, and go. If you have never run a private multi-day trip before, this is where to start.
A free noncommercial river trip permit is required to float the Green River between Green River State Park and Mineral Bottom, at the Canyonlands boundary. Download the form from BLM, fill it in, and email it to blm_ut_labyrinth@blm.gov. One permit covers one trip of up to 25 people. You must carry a fire pan and a portable toilet.
At a glance
- Managing agency
- BLM
- Permit required
- Yes, free, self-issued
- Cost
- $0
- Allocation
- No lottery, no cap, no reservation window
- Reach covered
- Green River State Park to Mineral Bottom
- Group limit
- 25 people per permit
- Difficulty
- Flatwater
- Typical trip
- 2 to 4 days
- Required gear
- Fire pan and portable toilet
- Submit to
- blm_ut_labyrinth@blm.gov
How to Get the Permit
- Step 1 Download the form BLM publishes the interagency noncommercial river trip permit for Labyrinth Canyon as a downloadable document.
- Step 2 Complete it One permit authorises one trip. Maximum 25 people on the reach between Green River State Park and the Canyonlands boundary at Mineral Bottom.
- Step 3 Email it to BLM Send the completed permit to blm_ut_labyrinth@blm.gov.
- Step 4 Carry a copy on the river The trip leader must have a copy of the submitted permit in their possession for the length of the canyon.
The absence of a fee and a lottery leads some parties to skip the permit entirely. It is still required, the trip leader must carry it, and all permit stipulations apply. It costs nothing and takes minutes, so there is no reason not to.
Required Equipment
The permit stipulations require you to carry and use:
- A fire pan. Fires must be contained; no fires directly on the ground.
- A portable toilet. Human waste must be packed out. This is standard practice on desert rivers where the corridor cannot absorb the use.
These are not suggestions. Agreeing to the stipulations is part of accepting the permit.
About the Trip
Labyrinth is flatwater from end to end. There are no rapids, which makes it approachable for canoes, packrafts, and anyone running their first private multi-day trip. What you get instead of whitewater is quiet: entrenched meanders, tall sandstone walls, side canyons to walk up, and very little sound.
Because it is flatwater, wind matters more than flow. A headwind in an open canoe can turn an easy day into a long one, and afternoon wind is common. Most parties start early.
At Mineral Bottom the BLM reach ends and Canyonlands National Park begins. If you intend to continue downstream into Stillwater Canyon, you need a separate Park Service permit. The Labyrinth permit does not cover it.
Mineral Bottom is reached by a steep switchback road. Confirm current road conditions and your shuttle arrangements before you commit, particularly after rain.
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.
Labyrinth Canyon Permit FAQ
Is the Labyrinth Canyon permit really free?
Yes. There is no fee, no lottery and no reservation window. You download the form, complete it, and email it to BLM.
How far in advance do I need to apply?
There is no fixed window, but submit it before you launch and carry a copy with you. Do not leave it until the morning of the trip.
How many people can be on one permit?
Up to 25. One permit authorises one trip.
What reach does the permit cover?
The Green River between Green River State Park and Mineral Bottom, which is the Canyonlands National Park boundary. Continuing downstream into Stillwater Canyon requires a separate Park Service permit.
What equipment is required?
A fire pan and a portable toilet. Both are permit stipulations, not recommendations.
Is Labyrinth Canyon good for beginners?
It is one of the best beginner multi-day trips in Utah, flatwater throughout, straightforward permitting, and spectacular canyon scenery. You still need to be self-sufficient in remote country, and wind can make for hard days.
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.