Canoe Camping Primer Updated 22-February-2004

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Let us tell you how to do this!   Links to Information on this page: Links to information on other pages: Private Property & Trespassing Navigation and Pace Minimum Impact Camping Legal Issues and Safety Equipment Sources and Suggestions River Flow Information Treating River Water for Safe Use Canoe Camping Equipment Checklist Best Time to Go Weather Considerations Camping along the river -- An integral part of the enjoyment of a long river trip is the experience of camping out for several nights as you make your way down the river. Some of us see this as a way to commune with nature; others enjoy the challenge of a long journey by primitive means; still others like to get away from the stress and hurry of our everyday lives. Whatever your motive, if you think you might enjoy a long canoe camping trip, you almost certainly will! Most of the time, your camps will be at primitive sites along the river (on a sand bar, gravel bank, or riverside woods). Some rivers have designated campsites that have varying ranges of facilities. Many of the best rivers for canoe camping are under the protection and management of a government agency that may have rules about where you can camp. If the land along the river is privately owned, you must be aware of the trespassing laws and what the local customs are involving canoe campers -- these vary widely (from friendly hospitality to aggressive and literal enforcement of trespassing laws). Private Property Rights and Trespassing -- On most rivers, the riverside land is privately owned, and you may be trespassing if you enter private land without permission. Where possible, we offer some advice about the local laws and customs, but this should not be construed to be legal advice or legal opinion, as we are not attorneys and cannot dispense legal advice or opinions. Inquire locally about the legality of camping along the river. If in doubt, seek permission from land owners. Always obey trespassing laws and respect the rights of land owners. Minimum Impact Camping! -- Always observe the common sense rules of wilderness ethics. Here's a reference book on this subject: The Basic Essentials of Minimizing Impact on the Wilderness. Basic principles: Carry out all waste. Do not damage living plants (dead and down wood can be used for fires where not prohibited). Do not dig or modify the terrain to "improve" the camp site. Don't use soap in the river, or dump soapy water into the river. Bury human waste in small, individual "cat holes" well away from the water and camp area (on some rivers, governing agencies mandate the use of portable toilets to carry out all human waste). If you do have a fire, use a metal pan to contain the coals and ashes (this is not only good environmentally, you'll find the fire will burn better as well). Do not disturb or take archaeological or historical artifacts. Do not disturb wildlife, livestock, or any agricultural activities. Have the Proper Equipment -- Be sure your equipment is proper for the conditions you are likely to encounter. If you're not sure about this, take a look at our equipment checklist. Using River Water Safely -- For many canoe trips is it perfectly easy to carry along enough water for all your needs for the few days you'll be on the water.  Some rivers will have towns or parks along the way where you can resupply with water.  But if you prefer not to carry a lot of water, if you're not sure of resupply points, or if you are going on a very long trip where it is just not feasible to carry all your water, you must use the river for your water supply.  Here's our advice about treating river water: BOILING -- On most rivers, you can use untreated river water for cooking, as long as you bring the water to a full boil.  This will kill any living organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.  While you've got your stove going, boil up an extra quart or two to add to replenish your drinking water supply. IODINE TREATMENT -- If you need to use water out of the river without boiling it, we recommend a commercial iodine treatment such as Potable Aqua tablets or Polar Pure Iodine Crystal Kit.  Both these products can be purchased from REI.com (click banner above).  Please be sure to read the medical cautions, as these products may not be tolerated by people with certain medical conditions. Potable Aqua tablets are inexpensive and usually available in most stores that sell camping equipment.  Some stores also sell the companion tablets that remove the iodine taste from the water (this is not necessary, but some people don't like that taste). The Polar Pure Iodine Crystal kit can be used to treat hundreds of gallons of water, so while the initial cost is higher, for those who treat a lot of water it is very economical. CLARIFICATION -- If the water is silty or cloudy, you should clarify it before treating, both for esthetic reasons and to ensure the iodine is not absorbed by the silt before it can do its thing. You can let it sit overnight, and that may do the trick.  If you're in a hurry, or the silt is so light it won't readily settle out, you can quickly clarify it by putting about 1/4 teaspoon of alum into a bucket of water (available in grocery store spice sections -- it's used to make pickles). Stir it up well, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then stir it again. The water should settle out pretty clear in an hour or so. Then carefully pour the water into another container to treat with the iodine tablets or solution. FILTERS -- We don't use a filter for treating river water.   This is because most river water, even that which appears relatively clear, will clog some of them up rather quickly.  We know that some people use these successfully, and they do clean the water up nicely. You should be aware that filters do not by themselves remove viruses.  Diseases such as Hepatitis A can be transmitted by viruses found in waters (more so in underdeveloped countries but still possible anywhere). CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS -- None of these methods will remove chemical pollutants from the water; however, on most rivers the concentration of such pollutants is not sufficient to constitute a threat assuming only minimal and temporary use.  We would avoid using any water that is so polluted as to give visual or olfactory evidence. When to go-- The region dictates the season. Canoeing in most of the South can be enjoyed throughout the winter (with proper equipment), but summers may not be good for camping because of heat and insects. Some northern rivers are great in the summer, but early summer may have very bad insect problems, and winters bring severe weather and possibly frozen rivers. Spring and fall (as locally defined) are usually good everywhere. On the most popular float streams, you should consider going in the off season, unless you like to be on the river with a lot of other people. The officials who manage the river can fill you in on the best times to avoid the crowd. Even on the busiest rivers, you can usually get solitude on week days after Labor Day or before Memorial Day.   If you go in the summer months, you will find week days much more peaceful on the river -- if you don't like crowds, consider planning your trip to launch on a Sunday afternoon and take out on Friday. Weather -- On some of our river descriptions, we give information about unusual weather situations, seasonality of the canoeing season, or other advice about the weather.  We always assume you have a general idea of what the weather is like at your destination. You can check the current conditions, forecast, and also historical averages for your area of interest at WEATHER.COM .  We also recommend the use of a weather radio while on the river to help you plan your days and take precautions in the event of severe storms.