Responsible Recreation & Social Distancing During COVID-19
For those of us fortunate to be home and healthy, social distancing has meant spending more time in nature. There is nothing like peaceful woods, pristine rivers, or still lakes to restore a sense of peace and normalcy. The outdoors can be a safe haven. During this strange time, our public lands can be a tremendous reprieve; they are one of the few places in our world that have remained relatively unchanged.
While it is certainly tempting to travel across the state to explore new areas or visit favorite spots, it is imperative for everyone’s safety that we stay local during this time. There are incredible areas and hidden gems to explore in our own backyards, and this is a great opportunity to get to know them.
Responsible decision-making is critical right now to ensure our well-being as we look to recreate in our local areas. Unfortunately, COVID-19 does not disappear outdoors and impacts are rippling through our public lands and rural communities. Many trailheads have increased traffic, overcrowded hot springs have led to closures, and small towns have seen an influx of visitors. Across the West, many mountain towns have the highest concentrations of COVID-19, far greater than New York City, from visitors seeking refuge. Some National Forests and Parks are closing areas over concerns of congestion and safety. To help us remain mindful while recreating during COVID-19, here are a few things to consider:
A Statewide Stay-home Order remains in effect. Consider if your outdoor plans adhere to the order
Staying local is a great opportunity to explore: I'm continuously surprised by the plethora of trails and open spaces nearby that I never knew existed. Using a website or app like All Trails can help you find them. You may find a new, beautiful side of this amazing state or hidden gem. The Boise area foothills are filled with miles of unique trails within a 30-45 minute drive. Check out the Ridge to Rivers trail network to explore some new hiking options. Get to know your local rivers. Explore all they have to offer - you will likely be surprised.
Staying local is necessary: If you contract COVID-19, you will not develop symptoms for 2-14 days (or at all) but are likely still contagious. Traveling is a huge risk, and any of us could inadvertently spread illness at every gas or grocery stop along the way. Once symptoms start, the decline is often swift. It is important that we remember:
Our rural and small towns have extremely limited medical resources. Teton County Hospital has 13 hospital beds. Stanley does not have a hospital. Wood River Valley Hospital is only offering limited services due to the high number of patients. If you need medical assistance, you will likely need to travel, which is extremely difficult if severely ill and puts first responders at greater risk.
In a backcountry or remote situation, you could require emergency evacuation or Search & Rescue assistance if you become ill or injured. This puts undue strain on local medical resources and professionals. Additionally, with overstressed resources, the response time of backcountry rescue or assistance is likely to be extremely delayed.
Rural and small communities are asking us to stay away. In addition to our state-wide “shelter-in-place” guidelines, many small communities have asked non-locals to stay home because they have seen an influx in visitors. This is a major risk for small communities with limited medical assistance. Let’s demonstrate respect for their communities and their health. By doing so, we help build positive and respectful relationships with our small and rural communities.
Check for closures before you go: Some areas are closed due to concerns of overcrowding, lack of staff, or safety concerns. Currently, all services in the Boise National Forest and Salmon-Challis National Forest are closed to the public, as well as Boise Ridge to Rivers Trailhead restrooms. Check before you go, and abide by closures and regulations for the areas you visit. Best bet is to stay home and explore near your neighborhood.
Go with your household & keep your distance: Some river and trail access areas are getting really busy. Despite social distancing guidelines, people are still meeting up to hike in groups or with other families, which is unsafe. Keep your distance in parking lots, and only recreate and carpool with people you live with. Space out putting in boats or accessing a trail. If a spot is too busy to maintain a 6 ft buffer, be flexible enough to go somewhere else. Dagger Kayaks has a fantastic guide to social distancing for paddlers
Practice good hygiene in the outdoors: Continue to use hand sanitizer and wash your hands whenever possible. Be vigilant: keep contact to a minimum, don’t share water bottles or eating utensils, clean your gear.
Be a good steward: Pack it in, pack it out. Stay on trails. Use designated access areas for rivers and trails. Pick up after your dog. Lots of people that are using trails, parks, and public spaces right now may not normally utilize them. In some areas, left behind trash, dog poop, food scraps, and poor decision-making have become an issue. Model good outdoorsmen behavior. Follow the rules and regulations, respect wildlife, and avoid wet and muddy trails. Always practice Leave No Trace protocols.
Be a positive representative of the outdoor community: When we paddle, hike, cycle, or climb, we become a representative of the outdoor community. You can help develop positive perspectives and respect for the outdoor community by being mindful of the impacts of COVID-19.
Our society is navigating some uncharted waters. As we continue to restructure our lives and evaluate what the weeks and months ahead look like in light of COVID-19, our public lands provide much-needed rejuvenation and rest for our minds, bodies, and hearts. We encourage you to enjoy the natural gifts that Idaho has to offer, but to do so in a mindful and responsible manner.
We are all united in this - separate, but together. Be advised that as new orders are issued, these guidelines might change or be restricted even further. Please adhere to any new stay-at-home or quarantine orders issued.
This will pass, and eventually, we’ll all be back out enjoying what makes Idaho so great. For now, let’s all do our part and stay home - using this time to plan that epic adventure we’ll undertake once this peak has passed. We hope that you stay healthy, happy, and enjoy the spring season!