Stikine River Etiquette Guidelines
Welcome to the Stikine River! Following are some suggestions designed to allow a safe and enjoyable visit to this river by all users. The lower portion of the Stikine River, within the United States, flows through the Stikine-LeConte wilderness in the Tongass National Forest. Please remember that although the Stikine offers a pristine experience, it is an international river navigated by a variety of vessels. Boat traffic includes motorized and non-motorized recreational craft, jet boats providing commercial tours, scows hauling freight, and river tugboats with barges for gravel extraction.
Know the Boater's Rules of the Road. The Stikine River is navigable under the International Rules of the Road for boats. According to those rules a prudent operator should give way to craft(s) going with the current when and wherever possible. Remember it is the responsibility of each operator to avoid collisions. Boaters meeting on the river can pass on either side, but normally pass as on US highways (port side to port side). Rules of good seamanship require the use of good judgment in avoiding potentially dangerous situations. Boaters, motorized or non-motorized, may not block passage of other craft. It is recommended in limited channels that non-motorized craft move to the side of the channel when a motorized craft is heard approaching from either direction. Motorized craft need a couple of feet of water depth to come off step. Motorized craft should slow to their minimum planing speed when passing close to other boats and in channels with limited visibility. Be aware of your surroundings. Think about your position relative to the surrounding water and topography. Kayaks and canoes by nature sit low in the water and are difficult to see. No one can see around a corner. Use common sense to avoid collisions; right-of-way is a guideline. It is recommend all boaters carry a VHF radio and monitor marine channel 16.
Watch your wake. When passing boats and people ashore, a powerboat operator is responsible for his or her wake. Be courteous and respect others ashore and in other craft. Steer clear; slow down to a minimum (bare steerage) if possible. Allow rivers users ashore to enjoy their activity safely. A fast moving boat on step may create a smaller wake, but remember you are responsible for the safe handling of your boat.
Firearms, alcohol, and boats don't mix. Use them with discretion and common sense. Remember discharging firearms at recreational sites is extremely dangerous. Please do not drink and drive. Accidents occur more commonly than one might think.
Choose a good place to camp. Please practice leave-no-trace camping. Camping on sandbars and beaches reduces damage to plants and soil caused by foot traffic and allows high water to seasonally wash away evidence of your camp. Camping in these places will help you enjoy your trip by avoiding a lot of the bugs and possible conflicts with wildlife. Firewood is more plentiful on sand and gravel bars, but please use a fire pan if you need to build a fire. Whenever possible, please avoid camping in plain view of the river. This benefits the visual experience of other visitors. When camping along the river, be sure to be watchful for changes in the water level. The Stikine is a free-flowing river, and its water level may rise unexpectedly. Please avoid camping within 100 feet (30 meters) of the Chief Shakes Hot Tubs or on the foot trails leading to the hot springs.
Potty stops. Human waste disposal is a concern on the river. Take care of your waste by using a portable toilet or digging a hole, 6-8 inches (15-20 centimeters) deep. Please fill and disguise the hole when done. Holes should be located at least 200 feet (60 meters) from camps, trails, water and drainages.
Keep our river clean. Garbage facilities and trash collection do not exist on the Stikine River. If you pack it in - you pack it out. Don't be shy about packing out more than you packed in. Recycle whenever possible. Never sink cans or bottles under water. Cigarette butts don't belong on the ground or in the river. They don't decompose. Before leaving your campsite, make a final check for all personal belongings and trash, big and small.
You are in bear country. Both brown and black bears are present and require your respect. Please read the publications Bear Facts and Bears and You. They are available from the US Forest Service or Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Keep a clean, scent-free campsite to help avoid conflicts with bears and wildlife. Please do not bury food or food scraps. Don't feed the bears intentionally or unintentionally. Be aware.
Looking for a cabin? Private cabins exist on the river. Respect the rights of private property. The US Forest Service maintains public recreation cabins within the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness. These cabins may be rented by prior arrangement through the National Recreation Reservation System at (toll free): 877-444-6777, or on the web at: ReserveUSA.com.
Please contact the Wrangell Ranger District at P. O. Box 51, or 525 Bennett Street, Wrangell, Alaska 99929, (907) 874-2323, for more information.
These points of etiquette are brought to you through a joint effort of the Wrangell Ranger District and Stikine River boaters from Wrangell. We believe most problems can be easily resolved if we treat others as we would like to be treated. Your Stikine River trip is through backcountry areas with limited access and communication. Be prepared to be self-sufficient. Thank you for your cooperation.
Updated March 16, 2001
