Chasing a river permit next season? Mark these key dates before they sneak up on you.
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A Small Craft Sales guide for boat folks who like doing things the right way… or at least pretending to.
If you’re new to the Western river scene—or if this is finally the year you stop hitching rides on your buddies’ permitted trips (no judgment)—it’s time to start getting those permit dates on your calendar.
Out West, some of the best stretches of river require an official permit if you want to float them during peak season. Think Yampa, Green, Salmon, Snake, Colorado, Smith… you get the idea. The good stuff fills up fast, and the rules can change depending on the river and the agency running the show.
At first glance, the system feels like a maze built by someone who really loves forms, lotteries, and acronyms. But once you draw one of these golden tickets? You understand the magic. Empty beaches. Quiet canyon nights. Fishy runs. Camp spots that make you consider “accidentally” missing your take-out. And yes—long stretches of river with just you and your 5–20 closest friends.
Each river plays by its own rules: some are pure lotteries, others are first-come-first-served, and a few use weighted systems that feel a little like river fantasy football. Knowing when and how to enter is the whole game.
To help you get dialed, here are a few trusted resources we at Small Craft Sales lean on. Bookmark them, set your reminders, and may the river gods smile upon your applications.
Small Craft Sales Permit Resource Roundup
OARS – Tips for landing the West’s most coveted private river permits
American Whitewater – Complete A–Z list of river permits & how to apply