Dinosaur Green And Yampa River Permits

Dinosaur National Monument

Welcome to the river permit lottery application site for Dinosaur National Monument-home to the Green and Yampa Rivers, two of the west's premier whitewater rivers. 

Green River: Gates of Lodore 

The Green River flows south out of Browns Park into Dinosaur National Monument and cuts through the Uinta Mountains, the largest east-west extending mountain range in the lower 48 states. Within the monument and along this stretch of the Green River lies the imposing Canyon of Lodore, which received its name from John Wesley Powell's expedition in 1869. Three of the rapids so impressed Powell that he named them Disaster Falls, Triplet Falls and Hell's Half Mile. 

The 19-mile run down the Green River from the Gates of Lodore to Echo Park is different today than in Powell's time, largely because of the dam at Flaming Gorge which regulates the water flow. This allows for a longer rafting season, but one that is not greatly affected by spring run-off. There are many named and unnamed rapids, well-spaced as in most pool-drop rivers and plenty of beautiful river side campsites and hikes, dominated by the almost 2,000 feet high red cliffs. 

Yampa River 

The Yampa River begins at Deerlodge Park and rushes downstream 44-miles to join the Green River at Echo Park. Boaters continue downstream on the Green River to the take-out at the Split Mountain boat ramp. The Yampa is the largest free-flowing tributary within the Colorado River system. As such, it has a shorter season marked by fluctuations in water level resulting from snow received in the winter. It is characterized by famous rapids such as Teepee, Big Joe and Warm Springs. 

Below the Confluence of the Yampa River and the Green River 

All trips continue downstream on the Green River from Echo Park through the 17-mile Whirlpool Canyon. It was named by Powell because of the squirrelly and unpredictable water the explorers experienced here. The last section of the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument is the nine mile Split Mountain Canyon. This canyon begins at the Rainbow Park boat ramp and flows swiftly downstream, punctuated by four named rapids and assorted riffles before reaching the take-out at the Split Mountain boat ramp. 

Camping facilities exist at the Lodore and Deerlodge launch sites. Each has campsites, water available seasonally, an information station, staffed ranger station, and vault toilets. These remote sites do not provide trash receptacles because of bear storage issues. The launch locations are primitive to help the visitor transition to the wilderness environment of the canyon. Due to the remoteness of the area and long drive times, many groups camp at their launch site the night before their river launch. 

The Split Mountain take-out offers reservable group campsites (flush toilets seasonally, no showers), vault toilets and a seasonally operational groover dump site. Nearby is the world famous Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall where you can see 149 million year old dinosaur bones in the rock. 

Permit & Season Information

Boating within Dinosaur National Monument is by permit only. This permit allows the permit holder to float the Green or Yampa rivers. Permits are non-transferable and are for one launch only.

Need to Know

Individuals Can Have Only One Permit at a Time

Individuals may be the permit holder and/or passenger on as many 1-day and low-use multi-day trips as they wish. A person may only hold one permit in their name at any time.  

One High-Use Trip per Year

All noncommercial participants are limited to a maximum of one high-use trip per year through any portion of the multi-day section of the Green or Yampa Rivers within Dinosaur National Monument. If the original permittee is disqualified from or cannot go on the trip for any other reason, the noncommercial trip will be cancelled. 

Launch and Take Out Dates & Locations

Permit holders must launch and take out on the date and at the location listed on their permit.  

Trip Leader/Qualifying Boatman Experience

The trip leader and boatmen must have a working knowledge of whitewater safety, general first aid, river equipment repair, and the techniques of white water navigation. Experience on the Green and Yampa Rivers in Dinosaur National Monument or on other comparable class III or higher whitewater rivers is mandatory (such as the Rogue, Selway, North Platte, Grand Canyon, Westwater, and others).  

Age Requirement for Lottery and Trip Leaders

Lottery applicants, permit holders, and trip leaders must be 18 years or older by any requested launch date. 

Trip Size

Noncommercial river trips shall include no more than 25 persons.  

Trip Lengths

During high-use, the normal trip length on the Green River is four days and on the Yampa River it is five days. If the permit holder requests and is granted an over-length trip, the number of days can be extended to five days on the Green, and six days on the Yampa River. Extended trip requests are granted based on campsite availability which is limited during high-use. Layovers typically cannot be accommodated. During low-use season the maximum trip length for the Green River is six days, and seven days for the Yampa River. Trips may never exceed the trip lengths listed on the permit. The length of the permit cannot be changed after the permit has been issued.  

Permits are Not Transferable

Noncommercial permits are not transferable. The permittee must accompany the entire river trip. 

Passenger Lists/Campsite Preferences

An accurate passenger list as well as any campsite preferences must be on file in the River Office four weeks prior to the launch of the trip. Any changes will not be allowed at the launch site. 

Fishing


Fishing is subject to all state regulations and licenses of the state in which the person is fishing.  

Firearms


The possession of firearms must comply with state law; however, the use of firearms is prohibited.  

Alcohol and Other Controlled Substances

Boating under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to a degree that may endanger oneself or others, damage property or park resources is prohibited. All underage drinking is prohibited. 

Permit Violations and Penalties

Permit holders who violate the terms and conditions of their permit may receive a fine and/or have their privileges to hold a permit in the park revoked.

Fee Policy

All permit holders floating the Yampa and Green Rivers of Dinosaur National Monument must pay a $15.00, non-refundable application fee. 

Permits awarded through the lottery need to be confirmed with full payment ($185.00) no later than 10 p.m. MT, March 1 or they will be cancelled. 

For low season permits or cancellation permits, permit holders must pay a non-refundable application fee of $15.00 and the recreation fee of $185 when making the reservation. 

Please read the refund policy carefully before submitting payment. 

If you cancel a lottery launch reservation after payment of fees has been made, we will refund your payment if the cancellation is made more than 30 days prior to launch date, less the $15.00 application fee. Payment made using a credit card will be credited back to your card. Refunds will be paid to the permit holder only. 

There are no refunds for a cancellation within 30 days of the launch date or after the permit has been issued.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be made by either logging onto your Recreation.gov account or emailing Dino_River_Office@nps.gov. You must reference your permit number to make a cancellation. Cancelled permits will be made available to the public randomly within 24 hours.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

4545 Highway 40 Dinosaur CO 81610

Phone Number

970-374-2468

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