DINOSAUR I After a successful launch of Dinosaur National Monument’s river permit lottery on the National Recreation Reservation System last year, more changes are coming for 2015.
This year, applicants who successfully secure a launch through the lottery will now confirm their acceptance of the date they won and pay for the permit online. After payment is verified, applicants will receive two forms by email to fill out and return to the Dinosaur National Monument River Office. Completed forms will need to be returned at least one month prior to the launch date in order to obtain a permit.
Also new this year, boaters can now apply through Recreation.gov for one-day permits for the Split Mountain section of the Green River, launching at Rainbow Park. Boaters can log in, find out about and sign up for a permit at any time. Boaters will not, however, be able to use the lottery application fee to obtain a one-day permit, as the system does not allow the transfer of the different fees.
The open lottery season for private river use permits runs until Jan. 31. Boaters can apply at www.recreation.gov. A credit or debit card is required to pay the application fee through the online system. Recreation.gov also requires each applicant to register and create a profile with their unique email address and a password.
Like last year, boaters can still file only one application, but they may choose up to four possible launch date/river choices on the application. The Yampa and Green rivers are still combined in one drawing system. Applicants will be notified by email by Feb. 16 if their lottery submission was successful.
Dinosaur’s river office will continue to process all multi-day permits for successful lottery applicants after payment verification. River office staff will also process reservations for the pre/post season launches beginning March 2 through March 6 for all unsuccessful lottery participants and on March 9 for all others.
For more information on the river permit lottery or permit process, visit www.recreation.gov or www.nps. gov/dino. You can also call the river office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.
For visitors without the equipment or ability to boat Dinosaur’s rivers but who still want to enjoy a river trip, several companies are authorized to provide commercial-guided trips. You can find more information about our boating concessionaires on the monument’s website.
