Responsible River Recreation

There’s the sun-warmed river rocks, the whispering clatter of wind through the cottonwood leaves, the cool blue water of the river and the muddy brown side creeks, perfect for dippin’ spots.

If you visit this summer in search of river rec, then welcome! Float and splash to your heart’s content. Yet, please understand that hopping into the river comes with some inherent safety hazards. Be sure to know what you’re up to before you dip your toes.

Let’s take a look at the basics of responsible river recreation.

Know your PFD -- Personal Floatation Device.

It’s painfully obvious and we def don’t want to be a nagging mom. BUT. If you’re on turbulent waters, it really really makes sense to have a personal flotation device. There are a variety of PFDs, but usually it means a life vest. Easy. Simple. Cheap. Saves your life when you get knocked off your raft.

You get the picture.

Woody debris may not be convenient, but it’s important to the fish.

Snags and root balls may seem like the enemy of folks floating the river. Fair enough. It’s important to keep an eye peeled – strong currents can pin river recreators to downed trees, making for a potentially life-threatening situation.

This woody debris also happens to be essential to the health of fish populations. Salmon need shoreline pools to lay their eggs.

Ergo: don’t go moving river wood, please. Just avoid it. Or change your perspective. Washed up snags of tangled wood look like abstract art, courtesy of nature. Beautiful, right?

Don’t drive on the sandbar or shore.

Rivers are more than playgrounds for humans. They are sensitive ecosystems that are more easily disturbed than you might think. Don’t drive an ATV or truck onto sandbars of park on the shoreline. Just don’t. It doesn’t matter if you’re tailgating or pulling up with coolers. Cars and trucks belong in the parking lot – end of story.

You’re on sacred land.

The points we've listed above are really getting at one thing: these rivers have long been sacred to native populations as transportation routes and a source of food. Please deport yourself accordingly: pack out litter, respect others, and leave no trace. Let’s leave the rivers and the riversides in pristine condition for future generations.

Pack carefully for any situation.

What does this look like? Sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, and anything else that might keep you comfortable and safe on the waterways. Of course, you’ll do the right thing and pack out what you pack in. Leave no trace, right?

Now that we’re good – have fun!

Check out our river valleys for plenty of leisurely river-floating and warm weather dipping opportunities.