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Wild & Scenic Snake River - Private Floatboat Reservations
A permit is required to float the Wild and Scenic Snake River at any time of the year. In the primary season (Friday before Memorial Day through September 10*), you can apply for a permit through the "Four Rivers Lottery" permit process summarized below. During the secondary season (September 11 through the Thursday before Memorial Day), a self-issue permit is available at major launch sites on the river.
Applying for a Floatboat Reservation
The Snake River is part of the Four Rivers Lottery permit application process. The other three rivers in the lottery system are the Main Salmon, Middle Fork of the Salmon, and the Selway Rivers. Reservations for the primary season are offered through the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) located on the Recreation.gov website. (The first day available to make a reservation is March 1st at 7am Pacific Time.)
To make a float reservation:
- Visit www.recreation.gov.
- In the search window, type in "Hells Canyon - Snake River (4 Rivers)"
- From there, you can check dates that are available and read a description of the river, restrictions, required and allowable uses, and information about the lottery system.
Other 4 River Lottery Websites
More information about the lottery system can be found on the Salmon-Challis National Forest website, Four Rivers Reservations System webpage.
Floater Guide
Read more about the rules and regulations in the Floater Guide Summary and Floater Guide. Also read up on the requirement to have an Oregon or Idaho Aquatic Invasive Species permit.
Other More Fun Links
A Look Inside Hells Canyon Pocket Guide
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Fast Facts
