Lower San Juan (Mexican Hat to Clay Hills)
San Juan River • NM, CO, UT
Length
55.5 mi
Difficulty
Class II-III
Shuttle
95 mi / 150 min
🪪 Permit required
— BLM Monticello Field Office
— Apply ↗
A permit is required year-round. For launches April 15 – July 15, permits are allocated by lottery (applications due Jan 31). Pre-lottery-season trips are reservable Dec 1 the year prior; post-season trips reservable March 16.
The Goosenecks reach — 55 miles of dramatic entrenched meanders through
Upheaval Dome country. Government Rapid (Class III) is the standout drop.
Sand waves downstream provide playful surfing. Typically a 3-4 day float;
BLM permit required. Take-out at Clay Hills is silty and wind-exposed.
✓ Real river route loaded