Whitewater Rafting During Coronavirus: What You Need to Know

If you’re looking for outdoor activities that can be done safely even in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, whitewater rafting fits the bill. At Barker-Ewing, we’re taking all of the necessary precautions to keep our guests safe, so you can feel confident when making your reservations. Here are some things to keep in mind when booking your whitewater rafting trip in the time of COVID.

Outdoor COVID-19 Transmission Is Rare

First, you should know that any open-air activity presents a very low risk for COVID-19 transmission. While the early days of the pandemic saw people being shamed on social media for going to the beach and picnicking in parks, we now know that these are low-to-moderate risk activities, with the highest risk outdoors being large crowds of people. 

Because COVID-19 is primarily spread by respiratory droplets, the constant flow of fresh air disperses the droplets and reduces the likelihood of infection. Unless you’re having a one-on-one conversation at close range with someone who is infected with COVID-19, your chances of getting infected outdoors are slim.

Wearing a Mask Further Reduces Your Risk

Being outdoors lowers your risk of getting the coronavirus by itself, but your risk can be lowered even more by wearing a mask. Although the intention of cloth face masks was initially to protect others from being infected by the wearer’s respiratory droplets, new research shows that face masks also offer protection to the wearer. When everyone wears a face mask and you’re in an outdoor location, the risk of transmitting or contracting COVID-19 is extremely small.

Whitewater Rafting Is Perfect for Small Groups

We understand that even being outdoors and wearing masks, some of our guests may be uncomfortable sharing a boat with people they don’t know. In these circumstances, consider our small paddle boat raft option. These rafts accommodate 8 people, so they’re ideal for small groups and families. Or consider a private raft option. Bring your COVID pod out for an exciting river adventure!

We Take Social Distancing Seriously

Our entire team has been briefed on state and federal guidelines and we have COVID-19 protocols in place to protect our staff and our guests. Equipment is disinfected after each trip with a cleaning agent that is EPA-rated for killing the coronavirus; whenever we are not on the boat, we ask guests to leave six feet of distance between themselves and others. 

As research on the coronavirus advances, so too do recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and local health officials. We stay up-to-date on the latest guidelines in order to continue to provide a safe, fun activity for Jackson Hole visitors and residents.

Learn More About Whitewater Rafting During Coronavirus

If you have concerns about the safety of whitewater rafting during the coronavirus pandemic, we encourage you to talk to your physician, especially if you have underlying health conditions that put you at high risk. While our team cannot provide you with medical advice, we are happy to answer any questions you have about the precautions we’re taking to keep all of our guests safe during our whitewater rafting excursions. Contact us at 307-733-1000 or book a trip on our website.