River Permit Information

Scenes from classic permitted Idaho rivers: Hells Canyon, Ladle Rapid on the Selway and the Main Salmon's Buckskin Bills.

One of the special things about Montana's Smith River is its geology which is very much different than Idaho, Oregon or Washington rivers.

Exiting Wolf Creek rapid on the Selway at 1-foot on gauge.

Visit these links for permit info

Check out River Geek for other links to great Western river trip permit info by Clicking Here.

Permit info and much more is found at the Whitewater Guidebook: Click Here.

For classic Idaho rivers like Hells Canyon, the Main, Middle Fork of the Salmon or Selway visit 4-Rivers Permits: Click Here.  

Read more about river permits:

River Permit Arithmetic

Paul Delaney, writing in the summer of 2022 for OutThere Outdoors magazine looked at the process of trying to secure river permits on several Northwest rivers. Running these rivers requires not only a permit for the most popular rivers but also patience and perseverance. Read more when you CLICK HERE.

Plan ahead and read all about it at oars.com when you  CLICK HERE.

How to Snag 10 of the Most Coveted Private River Permits

CURSES, FOILED AGAIN!

The broken river permit system is in need of a long-overdue fix, but there’s no mechanic on the way.

Paul Delaney follows up on his 2022 story in OutThere Outdoors magazine with some dismal odds on snagging a permit, but some thoughts on how to still run some the West's most dynamic wilderness rivers. Read more when you CLICK HERE.

The yearly chase for river premits is under way so get ready!

Smith River: Changes coming for the 2024 season

The Smith River is Montana’s only permitted stream and is accepting applications through Feb. 14, 2024. There are big changes this season of which you should be aware. For a PDF with links click below.