Oh, Deer: How to Pee in the River
Key Takeaways
- Peeing in the river is eco-friendly etiquette. When rafting, urinating in the river—away from swimmers—helps follow “leave no trace” principles and keeps campsites and shorelines clean.
- Follow proper river etiquette. Always position yourself downstream of others and waist-deep in the water to maintain respect for both nature and fellow rafters.
- Wildlife does it too. Even deer and elk naturally relieve themselves in the water, reminding rafters that nature’s flow takes care of natural waste through dilution.
- Rafting the Grande Ronde and beyond offers adventure. From wildlife sightings to exciting rapids like The Narrows, every river trip offers unforgettable scenery and experiences.
- Join guided rafting trips for safety and fun. Outfitters like Winding Waters River Expeditions provide expert-led journeys through Hells Canyon and the Lower Salmon River for an authentic, eco-conscious adventure.
Going tinkle in the water is one of the simple joys of summertime rafting. Just wade out up to your waist, place your hands on your hips, pretend to be studying the landscape across the river and let fly. It’s good etiquette to be downstream of others who may be swimming. Aside from that, peeing in the river is just good etiquette in general because there’s no reason to pee-pee in the bushes or fill up the groover when you can cool off and enact dilution as the solution to pollution at the same time. An advanced technique is to be drinking a liquid of some sort while you are standing in water up to your waist and also releasing liquid consumed earlier. That’s called reaching equilibrium.
WARNING: Graphic Image to follow.
Even deer use this practice. Observe this here deer taking a potty break in the Grande Ronde. Good job, deer. Way to leave no trace. It took us forever to train those animals to stop peeing on shore. The hoof marks on our faces and arms are not going away quickly, either. That is some deep bruising.
These elk in the next picture had no time for a bathroom break, however. They were hotfooting it off an island where I’d dropped a work crew of noxious weed sprayers. Two tiny calves were bedded down on the island, with six adults who crossed over to the main riverbank. It was part of our lower Grande Ronde rafting trip where the scenery and wildlife never disappoint.
Here’s what it looks like to load up backpack sprayers and head off to squirt leafy spurge, yellowstar thistle, knapweed and the other bad dudes of the invasive weed world.
The Narrows rapid not too far from the mouth of the GR where it joins the Snake River was a little bit on the spicy side. At low water the river squeezes between basalt walls with no room to get an oar in the water. Higher water creates a mess on a corner with a sampler tray of interesting obstacles to navigate. Jaggedy rocks, a decent-sized hole to avoid, a short little spillover you probably don’t want to mess with. We took a line right next to the bank, skirting the hole. Took some doing to get a boat into the narrow slot, but worked out fine.
Here’s a few more pics from this lower Grande Ronde tour, like this cool arch:
And a few of the sheds picked up during spraying missions:
Come join us, why don’t you. Rafting season is kicking in the afterburners right now and Winding Waters has trips of a lifetime departing for Hells Canyon and the Lower Salmon River each week. Our Hells Canyon rafting adventures are especially popular this time of year. This is beautiful country, folks. And seeing it from a raft is hard to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
This article humorously explores river etiquette, wildlife encounters, and the joys of summertime rafting on the Grande Ronde River.
Is it okay to pee in the river while rafting?
Yes — as the article playfully notes, peeing in the river is actually good river etiquette. It keeps human waste out of camp areas and “the groover,” while the flowing water naturally dilutes it. Just make sure to wade in waist-deep and stay downstream of anyone swimming.
Why is peeing in the river considered good etiquette?
Because it minimizes environmental impact. Urinating directly in the river dilutes waste, reducing odors and contamination onshore. It’s also more hygienic than going near camp or vegetation, where it could attract animals or pollute the area.
What’s the proper way to pee in the river?
Wade out to about waist-deep, face downstream, and make sure others aren’t nearby. Hands on hips and a casual glance at the scenery make it subtle. Avoid doing this near swimmers or in shallow, stagnant areas.
Do animals like deer or elk really pee in rivers?
Yes, they do! The story mentions a deer caught midstream “taking a potty break” in the Grande Ronde — a reminder that wildlife also uses natural waterways this way. Elk, on the other hand, were too busy running from a work crew to stop for a break.
What is “reaching equilibrium” while rafting?
It’s a humorous term from the article describing when you’re drinking one liquid while releasing another — standing in the river, beverage in hand, staying “in balance” with nature.
What’s the main message behind “dilution is the solution to pollution”?
It’s a tongue-in-cheek way of saying that in a large, flowing river, small amounts of urine are quickly diluted, causing minimal environmental impact compared to concentrated waste left on land.
What are some rafting spots mentioned in the article?
The piece highlights the Grande Ronde River, its junction with the Snake River, and The Narrows rapid — a challenging stretch known for jagged rocks and tricky navigation. It also mentions Hells Canyon and the Lower Salmon River as top rafting destinations.
What kind of work were the crews doing on the river?
They were spraying invasive weeds like leafy spurge, yellowstar thistle, and knapweed on river islands. These species threaten native plants, and crews help control them to preserve the river ecosystem.
What’s it like rafting the Grande Ronde River?
It’s a scenic and exciting experience, especially during low or high water when the rapids change character. Rafters encounter basalt canyons, wildlife, and the occasional “spicy” rapid — all part of what makes this river special.
How can people join rafting trips like this?
You can book guided river expeditions with outfitters such as Winding Waters River Expeditions, which offers trips through Hells Canyon, the Grande Ronde, and the Lower Salmon. It’s an unforgettable way to explore the Pacific Northwest’s wild rivers.
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