Anyone hoping to lead a noncommercial rafting trip through the Grand Canyon in 2027 has another chance to secure a launch date. However, the application window is open for only about two days.
The National Park Service opened the follow-up lottery on Aug. 18, 2026. Applicants must submit applications by noon MST on Thursday, Aug. 20.
The permits include standard trips for groups of up to 16 people and small trips limited to eight. Standard launch dates are available throughout 2027, while small-trip dates are available between April and July.
The official Grand Canyon river permit website lists the lottery as open and provides every available date. The follow-up lottery is being used to distribute launch dates that were canceled or remained unassigned after the main lottery earlier this year.
Applicants can choose up to five launch dates
Embedded media follows. Please allow a moment for it to load.
View this post on Instagram
The park’s February post announced the original 2027 lottery, which offered 478 permits for trips lasting 12 to 25 days. The current follow-up lottery is a smaller opportunity involving dates that are still available.
Applicants may select up to five preferred launch dates. The park uses a weighted lottery system to award the permits.
These are self-guided river trips
Applicants must be at least 18 years old. These are noncommercial, self-guided trips, and participants cannot hire a guide to lead them.
At least one qualified boat operator must remain with the group for the entire trip. The park requires previous experience operating boats through Grand Canyon or comparable technical whitewater. Travelers who want a professionally guided trip should make arrangements through one of the park’s authorized river concessioners.
The lottery application costs $25
The nonrefundable application fee is $25 per person for each launch year. Anyone who already paid to enter a previous 2027 lottery does not have to pay the fee again. Winners must pay a $200 deposit for a small trip or $400 for a standard trip. The deposit is applied toward the final permit costs.
The river permit costs $90 per participant. An additional $20 park entrance fee applies to participants aged 16 and older unless admission is covered under the park’s pass rules. Launch dates cannot be changed, deferred or traded. Applications must be submitted through the official permit portal before the lottery closes.
Image Credit: Sonaal Bangera on Unsplash