PHOENIX — Grand Canyon National Park has officially opened the lottery application process for noncommercial river trip permits for the 2026 rafting season.
Applications became available on Saturday and will remain open until noon on February 25. A total of 450 permits will be issued for trips lasting between 12 and 25 days.
The lottery system, first introduced in 2006, is held each February. Additional lotteries may be conducted throughout the year to reassign any canceled or unclaimed trips.
Individuals who create a river use account can opt in for email notifications and subscribe to the park’s river RSS feed to receive updates on open lotteries.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and are limited to participating in one river trip—either commercial or noncommercial—per year.
All trips must be self-guided, and participants must have technical whitewater experience.
Costs and Fees
- A $25 application fee is required each year.
- Winners must submit a deposit of $200 for small trips (1–8 people) and $400 for standard trips (up to 16 people).
- Additional costs include a $20 park entrance fee and a $90 river permit per participant.
- Any participants added after a permit is issued will incur an additional $100 late fee per person.
For more details on the application process and lottery rules, visit the Grand Canyon National Park website.