It’s an important time of year for adventurous folks who’d like to raft the Grand Canyon. A highly competitive lottery for self-guided river trips has opened.
The National Park Service said there are 468 permits available for various launch dates in 2019.
If that sounds like a lot, it’s not. Last year, more than 6,500 people applied – 1,000 more than the year before.
The deadline is Feb. 21, and additional draws are held for trips that are canceled.
Trips can last 12 to 25 days. Anyone 18 or older can apply, but technical whitewater experience is mandatory.
Those whose names are drawn can do only one commercial or private Grand Canyon river trip annually.
The lottery replaced a wait list in 2006.
In the past, people would sometimes spend more than a decade waiting for their spot on the river.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.