Utah · San Juan River
San Juan River rafting trips
Class II to III water, trips from 3 to 8 days and kids from age 5. Compare every San Juan outfitter with public trips.
3 to 8 days / 2 to 7 nightsQuick answer
Guided San Juan River rafting trips run 3 days, 2 nights on the Upper to 8 days, 7 nights on the full 84 miles from Sand Island to Clay Hills. Private trips need a lottery permit from April 15 to July 15; a guided trip skips it. We list 6 outfitters, and prices start at $895 per person (checked September 2026).
The route
Sand Island to Clay Hills
The Upper runs from Sand Island near Bluff to Mexican Hat. The Lower continues from Mexican Hat to Clay Hills.
- Mile 0Sand IslandLaunch, near Bluff
- Mile 27Mexican HatEnd of the Upper
- Mile 84Clay HillsTake out
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
Miles from Recreation.gov, which gives each as approximate. Shown for a 5 day, 4 night full run. Below Government Rapid, the BLM allows camping only at designated sites.
Compare outfitters
Every San Juan outfitter with public overnight trips
The BLM publishes its list of authorized San Juan guides. Many on it are schools and youth programs. This table covers the outfitters whose own sites show public or private group trips, listed alphabetically.
| Outfitter | Trip lengths | Boats | Season | Min age | From, per adult | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyonlands Field Institute | 3 days, 2 nights to 7 days, 6 nights | Oar; inflatable kayak on the Lower | Dates by request | Not listed | $895Upper, 3 day, 2 night trip; private groups of 6 to 25 only; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with CFI |
| Holiday River Expeditions | 3 days, 2 nights (Upper) to 5 days, 4 nights (full) | Oar, inflatable kayak, paddle board | May to June | 5 | $1,150Upper, 3 day, 2 night trip, plus a $22 BLM fee; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Holiday |
| Moab Rafting and Canoe Company | 4 to 10 days, custom (3 to 9 nights) | Paddle or oar | Not listed | Not listed (40 pound minimum) | $1,2494 day, 3 night custom trip, 6 guest minimum; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Moab Rafting and Canoe |
| OARS | 3 days, 2 nights to 6 days, 5 nights | Oar, inflatable kayak, paddle board | 2026 and 2027 dates posted | 6 | $1,199Upper, 3 day, 2 night trip, June 2027; Lower 5 day $1,549 (2026). Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with OARS |
| Tsé Kooh Outfitters | 3 days, 2 nights (Upper) to 8 days, 7 nights (full) | Oar, paddle, kayak | Not listed | Not listed | $950Upper, 3 day, 2 night trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Tsé Kooh |
| Wild Expeditions | 4 days, 3 nights (Lower) to 7 days, 6 nights (full) | Raft, inflatable kayak | April to October | 6 | $1,199Lower, 4 day, 3 night trip; year not shown. Checked Sep 2026 | See dates with Wild Expeditions |
"Not listed" means we could not find it on the outfitter's site in September 2026. Prices are the lowest adult rate we found and most exclude BLM and Navajo Nation fees. Confirm when booking.
Also on the BLM list and not shown: schools, colleges and youth programs such as Deer Hill Expeditions, Grand Canyon Youth and Fort Lewis College. Missing an outfitter? Tell us.
The no lottery way in
Guided trip or private permit?
From April 15 to July 15, private San Juan permits go through a BLM lottery, and permits are needed year round. A guided trip skips the lottery.
No lottery
Book a guided trip
- How you get a spot
- Pick a date with one of the outfitters above and book it.
- Trip length
- 3 days, 2 nights to 8 days, 7 nights on the trips we checked.
- Where you meet
- Bluff or Blanding for most trips; Mexican Hat for some Lower trips.
- Boats and food
- The outfitter brings the boats, guides, meals and camp.
Private permit
Enter the San Juan lottery
- When to apply
- December 1 to January 31, 11:59 pm MT; $6 to apply.
- Results
- Sent February 14; accept and pay by March 15.
- Limits
- Up to 25 people; the permit holder must be 18 or older.
- Fees
- $10, $20 or $30 per person, by section, March 1 to October 31.
Sources: the BLM San Juan lottery page and Recreation.gov San Juan permit page.
On the river
What a day on a San Juan rafting trip looks like
With Class II to III water, days leave room for side hikes and inflatable kayaks.
- Morning
Breakfast in camp, then everything packs back onto the boats.
- Midday
Riffles and rapids, with lunch on the bank.
- Afternoon
A side hike or an inflatable kayak on easier water, then camp.
- Evening
Dinner cooked by the guides and a night in the canyon.
What outfitters list as included
- Guides, boats and life jackets
- Meals on the river
- Camp gear
- Transportation from the meeting town
Holiday adds a BLM fee of $20 to $42 depending on the section. Check each outfitter's list.
Worth checking before you book
- BLM river fees
- Navajo Nation permit fees
- Travel to Bluff, Blanding or Mexican Hat
- Guide tips
More on camp life, meals and the toilet in river camping, and on tips in tipping your guides.
When to go
The San Juan rafting season
Outfitters run from April to October, depending on the company. Navajo Dam controls the river's flows, according to Recreation.gov.
The lottery covers launches from April 15 to July 15; outside that window, private permits are reserved in advance. See when to go rafting.
Who it suits
Which San Juan trip fits you
Families
Holiday takes kids from 5, and OARS and Wild Expeditions from 6. See family rafting trips.
Short on time
The Upper, Sand Island to Mexican Hat, runs 3 days, 2 nights. See 3 day rafting trips.
Longer trips
The full run takes 5 to 8 days. See week long rafting trips.
Questions
San Juan River rafting questions
How much does a San Juan River rafting trip cost?
On the outfitters' own sites, checked in September 2026, 3 day, 2 night Upper San Juan trips list from $950 with Tsé Kooh to $1,199 with OARS. Full 84 mile trips list from $1,485 with Holiday. Several prices show no year, so confirm when booking.
Is the San Juan a lottery river?
Yes, from April 15 to July 15. The BLM takes lottery applications December 1 to January 31, sends results February 14, and winners must accept and pay by March 15. Outside that window, permits are reserved in advance. A guided trip skips the lottery.
How long is the San Juan trip?
Recreation.gov puts Sand Island to Mexican Hat at about 27 miles, Mexican Hat to Clay Hills at about 57, and the full run at about 84. Outfitters run 3 days, 2 nights on the Upper to 8 days, 7 nights on the full river.
How hard are the rapids?
Recreation.gov describes Class II to III rapids that need some technical skill. American Whitewater calls Government Rapid, on the Lower, a Class III rapid.
What is the minimum age?
Holiday lists 5, and OARS and Wild Expeditions list 6. Moab Rafting and Canoe sets a 40 pound minimum instead.
What controls the San Juan's flows?
Navajo Dam in New Mexico, according to Recreation.gov. The Bureau of Reclamation reported a daily average release of 800 cfs on September 2, 2026.
Do I need a Navajo Nation permit?
For the south bank, river left, yes, according to Recreation.gov. On a guided trip, ask your outfitter how it handles this.
Where do San Juan trips start?
Upper trips launch at Sand Island, about 3 miles west of Bluff, Utah. Lower trips launch at Mexican Hat and take out at Clay Hills, reached by an 11 mile dirt road.
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Pick your San Juan outfitter
Compare trip lengths, boats and minimum ages, then check dates directly with the outfitter.