Permits
Lotteries, day-use systems, BLM self-issue stations, and the small print that decides whether a trip happens. The permit calendar drives everything else.
How to use this
Permit first, plan second
Most desert river and backcountry trips have a permit gate before they have a logistics problem. Lotteries open in winter for the next season. Day-use limits and BLM self-issue rules vary section by section. The pages below cover the systems we run regularly — start with the river or route, then read the section dashboard for the current rules.
Guides
Permit-focused articles
Long-form pieces on the permit systems we use most.
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Colorado River rafting permits
Cataract seasonal release, Westwater first-come, Grand Canyon lottery — the systems that gate Colorado-mainstem trips.
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Backcountry permits in Utah
NPS overnight permits, slot canyon day-use, and the BLM rules that cover the rest.
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White Rim Trail permits
The day-use vs. overnight distinction that catches new overlanders.
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BLM camping rules
Dispersed camping limits, fire restrictions, and the rules that govern most desert nights.
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Can you camp anywhere on BLM land?
Short answer: no. Long answer: this article.
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Dispersed camping rules — Utah
State-specific rules for the public land that surrounds most of our routes.
By Section
Permit details on the section dashboard
Each river-section page carries the current permit gate, fees, and the link to the issuing agency.