Dinosaur Green And Yampa River Permit

Overview

River float permit for the Green and Yampa Rivers through Dinosaur National Monument on the Colorado/Utah border, managed by the NPS. Two launch points: Green River at Gates of Lodore (division 380, 19 miles to Echo Park) and Yampa River at Deerlodge Park (division 371, 44 miles to Echo Park). All trips continue downstream on the Green River through Whirlpool and Split Mountain Canyons to the Split Mountain Boat Ramp takeout. Class II-IV whitewater -- notable rapids include Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls, and Hell's Half Mile (Green) and Teepee, Big Joe, and Warm Springs (Yampa). The Green River is dam-controlled (Flaming Gorge) with a longer, more predictable season. The Yampa is the largest free-flowing tributary in the Colorado River system -- season depends entirely on snowmelt and is significantly shorter. Max 25 people per trip. Permits required year-round.

Bottom Line

Lottery covers high-use season launch dates only. Applications open December 1 -- January 31 each year on recreation.gov. Results emailed by mid-February. Winners must confirm with full payment ($185) by March 1 at 10:00 PM MT or the reservation is cancelled. Unclaimed high-use dates and all low-use dates open March 6 at 8:00 AM MST as FCFS. High-use season is 2nd Monday of May through 2nd Friday of September for the Green River and 2nd Monday of May through 2nd Saturday of July for the Yampa River. The Yampa's shorter season and free-flowing nature make it more competitive in the lottery. Cancellations return to availability randomly within 24 hours. One lottery application per person -- duplicates forfeit any trip won. Each person limited to one high-use trip per year on each river. Cancellation monitoring is valuable for FCFS pickups after March 6.

Lottery and Reservations

Permit required year-round. Two modes depending on launch date:

• Lottery (high-use launches): Apply Dec 1 -- Jan 31 on recreation.gov. $15 non-refundable application fee. Results by mid-February. Winners must confirm and pay $185 by Mar 1 at 10:00 PM MT. One application per person -- multiple applications result in forfeiture of any trip won.
• FCFS (low-use dates and unclaimed high-use): Opens Mar 6 at 8:00 AM MST. Full payment ($15 application + $185 permit) at booking.
• Post-March 6 cancellations: appear on recreation.gov randomly within 24 hours.
• High-use season dates: Green River -- 2nd Monday of May through 2nd Friday of September. Yampa River -- 2nd Monday of May through 2nd Saturday of July. All other dates are low-use.

Trip Length

• Green River high-use: 3--4 days standard, up to 5 days overlength (if approved based on campsite availability)
• Yampa River high-use: 4--5 days standard, up to 6 days overlength (if approved)
• Green River low-use: up to 6 days max
• Yampa River low-use: up to 7 days max
• Overlength requests are decided ~30 days before launch when campsites are assigned
• No layovers during high-use season
• Trip length cannot be changed after the permit is issued

Fees

• $15 non-refundable application fee per permit
• $185 permit fee (flat rate, not per-person)
• $35 overlength trip fee (refunded if request denied)
• $20 one-day Split Mountain permit (separate permit, Rainbow Park to Split Mountain)
• Park entrance fees are not included -- purchased separately

Group Size and Rules

• Max group size: 25 people (all ages)
• Permit holder must be 18 or older
• One permit per person at a time (can hold multiple 1-day or low-use permits)
• One high-use trip per year per person on each river (Green and Yampa counted separately)
• Permits are non-transferable -- permittee must accompany the entire trip; if the permittee cannot go, the trip is cancelled
• Trip leader and boatmen must have Class III+ whitewater experience on comparable rivers
• Passenger list and campsite preferences must be finalized 30 days before launch; further changes require River Office approval up to 3 business days before launch
• Campsites assigned by the River Office 14--30 days before launch
• No pets on the river
• Must carry a printed copy of "Boating in the Monument: Information and Regulations"

Cancellation Policy

• 30+ days before launch: $185 permit fee refunded (less $15 application fee)
• Within 30 days or after permit issued: no refund
• $15 application fee is never refunded
• Failure to cancel within 14 days of launch may result in a ban of up to 2 years from holding a permit in the monument
• Cancelled permits return to availability randomly within 24 hours
• All cancellations via recreation.gov account or email to Dino_River_Office@nps.gov

Required Equipment

Each group must have at launch (ranger inspection required):

• Reusable, leak-proof portable toilet system (bag systems like wag bags are NOT permitted on multi-day trips)
• Fire pan elevated off the ground with fireproof blanket (only required if building a fire)
• Mesh strainer for dishwater and ashes (multi-day trips)
• Coast Guard approved PFD (whitewater rated Type III or V) for every person, plus 1 spare per 10 people
• Children under 13 must wear PFDs at all times on watercraft
• Spare oars/paddles: 1 extra oar per oar raft, 2 extra paddles per paddle raft, 1 extra paddle per 5 kayaks/canoes
• First aid kit (major kit per trip, minor kit per additional boat)
• Boat repair kit and air pump for inflatable craft
• Throw bag for each raft/dory
• Rescue kit (z-drag) per group
• Helmets required for all kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards in all named rapids
• Kitchen ground tarp under food prep areas