Packrafting

There are many opportunities for packrafting in Canyonlands' backcountry, including combining packrafting with an overnight backpacking trip. While there are many opportunities, the hazards and risks of any river travel are great. You are responsible for understanding these risks and acquiring the skill, knowledge, and experience to be self-reliant.

You must have a river permit if you are packrafting more than two miles on any river or traveling below the Confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers. You also need a river permit if you plan to camp in the river corridor (0.5 mile or 1,000 vertical feet from a river). As a permit holder you must know and abide by all river rules and regulations including the following required equipment:

1. An approved PFD for each person per river regulations.
2. A repair kit for each boat.
3. An approved toilet system per river regulations.
4. A fire pan. You may carry a turkey basting pan April 1–September 30 for emergency use only.

You may get a backpacking permit instead of a river permit if you will be traveling two miles or less on the Green and Colorado rivers above The Confluence and camping outside the river corridor (0.5 mile or 1,000 vertical feet from the river). As a permit holder you must know and abide by all park rules and regulations including the following required equipment:

1. An approved PFD for each person. Anyone over 12 years of age may use an inflatable USCG-approved PFD instead a regular PFD.
2. An approved toilet system per river regulations.

If you are using packrafts only to cross the river, including crossing at Lower Red Lake Canyon, you must carry an approved PFD, but you are exempt from the other required equipment. You are not allowed to travel upstream or downstream under this exception.