Dinosaur National Monument - Split Mountain Permits
Welcome to the Split Mountain daily section permit site for Dinosaur National Monument -- home to the Green and Yampa Rivers, two of the west's premiere whitewater rivers. This is where you can obtain rafting permits for one day trips launching at Rainbow Park and taking out at Split Mountain.
The last section of the Green River in Dinosaur National Monument is the nine miles of Split Mountain Canyon beginning at the Rainbow Park boat ramp and flowing swiftly downstream, punctuated by notorious rapids, assorted riffles, and stunning views as the river cuts swiftly through the mountain before reaching the take-out at the Split Mountain boat ramp.
As with the rest of the river corridors within Dinosaur National Monument, this is a proposed wilderness and consequently managed as such. This means you will not hear motors or see vehicles anywhere along your trip.
Primitive camping facilities exist at the Rainbow Park launch site and are quite popular in the summer months. The Rainbow Park Campground has only four sites that hold eight people each. There is no running water available at these sites, but there is a vault toilet. The launch location has been kept fairly 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.
At the Split Mountain take-out, there are reservable group campsites (flush toilets seasonally, no showers) as well as vault toilets year-round and a seasonally operational groover dump site. Nearby is the world famous dinosaur quarry where you can see 149 million year old dinosaur bones encased 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 River, Split Mountain Daily section. 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.
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.
Permits are Not Transferable
Noncommercial permits are not transferable. The permittee must accompany the entire river trip.
Passenger Lists
An accurate passenger list must be on file in the River Office prior to launch. Additions to the passenger list 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 Green Rivers Split Mountain Daily section of Dinosaur National Monument must pay a $15.00, non-refundable reservation fee.
A permit recreation fee of $20 is due at the time of booking.
Please read the refund policy carefully before submitting payment.
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, calling the Dinosaur National Monument River Office at (970) 374-2468, 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. There are no refunds for a cancellation within 30 days of the launch date or after the permit has been issued.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
4545 Highway 40 Dinosaur CO 81610
Phone Number
970-374-2468
