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Bureau of Land Management · UT

Desolation/Gray Canyon — Green River Permit

Classic multi-day Green River wilderness float from Sand Wash to Swasey/Nefertiti through Desolation and Gray Canyons. High-use launches (May 1-Sep 30) are allocated by the Dec 1-Jan 31 recreation.gov lottery.

Permit requiredovernightMulti-day wilderness float84 mi
Access requirement

2 ways to get a permit

2026 high-use season launch lotteryLottery

Lottery applications accepted Dec 1-Jan 31. Results are available Feb 14; awards must be confirmed by Mar 14. Trip window: 2026-05-01 → 2026-09-30.

Opens: Dec 1, 2025Apply by: Jan 31, 2026Results: Feb 14, 2026Confirm by: Mar 14, 2026
Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
First-come launches and post-lottery releaseTimed release

Non-lottery dates reservable starting Dec 1. Leftover lottery dates open Mar 15 at 8:00 AM MST; further cancellations appear randomly. Trip window: 2026-03-01 → 2026-11-30.

Opens: Dec 1, 2025
Apply on official siteNot verified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
Permit rules
QuotaA permit is required year-round for all river travel through Desolation/Gray canyons between Sand Wash and Nefertiti. May 1-Sep 30 launches are allocated by lottery; other dates are first-come on recreation.gov.
GroupMaximum 25 persons per group; no more than the number pre-paid on the permit.
Fees$6 reservation fee plus a $40 per-person recreation fee. One person's fees due at booking; full payment required two weeks before launch.
TransferCheck official source for transfer and trip-leader rules.
SafetyRemote multi-day wilderness float (84 river miles, minimum 3 calendar days) with over 60 rapids and riffles. Accessing river-left above Coal Creek requires a separate Ute Tribe permit.
Where to stay

Campgrounds nearby

Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.

DESOLATION GRAY CANYONS SCREEN CABINS

1.5 miles away · UT · 4 sites

6 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 25—Aug 264Aug 273Aug 284Aug 293Aug 303Aug 312
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

Pelican Lake Campground

26.4 miles away · UT · 13 sites

No openings found

Reservable + first-come · Campsite $10.00 Group Site $35.00

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

AVINTAQUIN CAMPGROUND

45.8 miles away · UT · 17 sites

2 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 301Aug 311
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site

UINTA RIVER GROUP

47.2 miles away · UT · 1 sites

No openings found

Reservable

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site