The information provided below is provided by Whitewater Cowboys, which is a for-profit company offering full rental and shuttle services on the Rogue River. We are in no way affiliated with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is the governing agency over permits on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. The opinions below are our interpretation of the BLM’s permit system, which it may update at any time without our updating information here. We therefore do not guarantee the accuracy of the information below, nor does it in any way represent either federal agency overseeing sections of the Rogue River.
The Lottery
Grants Pass, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are pleased to make the Rogue River Noncommercial Float Permit Lottery application process more convenient by making it available online. Noncommercial whitewater boaters hoping to float the wild section of the Rogue River during the permit season will now be able to submit their lottery applications online at: www.recreation.gov. Permits are required May 15 through October 15 to float the wild section of the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River, which extends from Grave Creek to Watson Creek (takeout at Foster Bar).
The lottery application period will be open December 1, through January 31, and will only be available through Recreation.gov. There is an fee per application to apply to the lottery. More information and instructions are available at: www.blm.gov/rogueriver.
Lottery application assistance is also available during the open period by calling 1-877-444-NRRS (6777).
With the permit lottery offered through Recreation.gov, both successful and unsuccessful lottery applicants will be notified for the first time and those notifications will be provided on February 10. Applicants will also be able to check their Recreation.gov profile to view details of their lottery results.
Open Spaces
When the lottery is concluded, starts that were not filled during the lottery are often available. These leftover starts become available on the first business day in April and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis over the phone only, at 541-479-3735. You can find open spaces at: https://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/rogue/rogue_river.php