How to get a Wild Rogue River Noncommercial Float Permit

Step 1 - Apply to the Lottery
The lottery application period takes place from December 1 to January 31 each year.

Applications are taken by the Bureau of Land Management at the Smullin Visitor Center at Rand and successful parties are notified around the first of March.

Step 2 - Available Spaces
After the lottery process, there are still float spaces available. These available spaces are given away over the phone beginning the first business day in April. Throughout the permit season, cancellations received at the Smullin Visitor Center at Rand are given out by phone the morning following the cancellation. Confirmations may show fewer people on the permit than were allocated through the lottery. Those spaces will also be given out over the phone the morning after they are received. These openings may occur at any time. Keep checking for open dates.

Step 3 - Confirmation Deadline
Permit holders are required to confirm no later than 10 days before, but not including, their launch date that they intend to use their permit. If the confirmations are not received by the Smullin Visitor Center at Rand by 3 p.m. on that date, the permit(s) will be cancelled and the spaces given away by phone the following day.

To determine when you should call for a certain date, simply count back 9 days from your preferred launch date, starting with the day before your launch date as Day #1. Although openings can occur at any time, this is the most likely way to obtain a permit.

Those who have successfully made reservations are subject to the Conditions of Use (PDF) listed on the back of the permit. Additionally, if your trip was reserved more than three weeks prior to the launch date, a confirmation letter (PDF) is sent to the party leader with information regarding check-in procedures, river use guidelines, and other important reminders. If reserved within three weeks of the launch date, a letter will not be sent; however, information is distributed by phone at the time reservations are made and is also contained in the links provided above.

Step 4 - No-Shows
As a last resort, you may also schedule a float opening which occurs as a result of a no-show.

No-shows happen when a party fails to pick up their permit on their launch date or a party shows up with fewer people in their party than listed on their permit. These float openings are given out in the following manner: first to those waiting in person at the Rand Visitor Center on the actual launch date, and second to those persons who telephone us on the actual launch date. Parties receiving no-show permits must launch their trips on that same day.