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U.S. Forest Service · OR

Hells Canyon — Snake River Float Permit (Four Rivers Lottery)

Permit-only float through North America's deepest river gorge. Primary-season Wild and Scenic launches are allocated via the recreation.gov Four Rivers Lottery.

Permit requiredovernightAdvanced
Access requirement

2 ways to get a permit

2026 Four Rivers Lottery — Snake River (Hells Canyon)Lottery

Applications accepted December 1 through January 31; results emailed February 14; reservations must be confirmed by March 15. Trip window: 2026-05-22 → 2026-09-10.

Opens: Dec 1, 2025Apply by: Jan 31, 2026Results: Feb 14, 2026Confirm by: Mar 15, 2026
Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
Released/cancelled dates (first-come)First-come

Unreserved, declined, and cancelled launch dates are released first-come, first-served on recreation.gov beginning March 16 at 8:00 AM Mountain Time. Trip window: 2026-05-22 → 2026-09-10.

Opens: Mar 16, 2026
Apply on official siteVerified · Jun 22, 2026Available this season
Permit rules
QuotaA permit is required to float the Wild and Scenic Snake River at any time of year. Primary-season launches (Friday before Memorial Day through September 10) are reserved through the recreation.gov Four Rivers Lottery; secondary-season trips are self-issue.
GroupParty size cannot exceed 24 people.
Fees$6.00 non-refundable application/reservation fee. No per-person special recreation fee on the Snake River.
TransfercheckOfficial
SafetyBig-water whitewater in a remote, road-inaccessible canyon; flows below Hells Canyon Dam are dam-controlled and can change rapidly.
Where to stay

Campgrounds nearby

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

Saddle Creek Campground

11.0 miles away · OR

Availability not checked

Not reservable online

Availability: Unavailable

Huckleberry

11.7 miles away · 10 sites

No openings found

Reservable + first-come

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

Lafferty

21.0 miles away · 9 sites

No openings found

Reservable + first-come

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

Cold Springs Campground - Payette NF (ID)

23.9 miles away · 34 sites

3 of 7 nights open

Reservable

Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 293Aug 3013Aug 3113
Availability: Recreation.gov
Official campground site