Callan: Crowded Canoe Country Isn’t A Crisis

"More people are getting outside than ever before. Since the pandemic, parks visitation has hit record highs. In 2024, the U.S. National Park Service reported a record 331.9 million visits. North of the border where I am, more than 23 million people visited Parks Canada sites in 2024-2025, up from 16 million in 2018-2019."



"Today, most backcountry paddlers arrive with maps, permits, PFDs and a basic understanding of how to behave in the backcountry. And if they don’t, everyone from outfitters to parks and social media to magazines like this one is helping reinforce those norms. This wasn’t the case 30 years ago. Neither were bear hangs, fire bans, proper cathole practices and prohibitions on feeding wildlife." [Me: Bull]

"So, am I partly to blame? I like to think so."


How much of this true or troublesome? Does Kevin Callan need to be so self-absorbed and defensive?

I mentioned my recent visit to the Teton River in another thread. There were significantly more people on the river than the last time I was there. Mostly daytrippers and mostly on SUPs.

Halfway between access points, a mature bull moose entered the river ahead of me. I and my group eddied out and parked a comfortable distance upstream, intending to wait until the moose left on his own accord. It wasn't long before a gaggle of SUPers caught up with us and, against our warning, proceeded to surround said moose with their cellphones drawn. He got agitated, and I thought for a bit that we were going to see a Yellowstone Moment before the moose decided to retreat the way he came.

No, I wouldn't say the noobs are better behaved.

Steve this is what I assume the author means when he says “growing pains,” which implies that he believes it will get better with more time/education. At the risk of being cynical, that’s more faith than I have in the type of people in your example.

As the Rock Man* said in the Pointless Forest: "We see what we want to see and we hear what we want to hear."

We're constantly validating our beliefs and Mr. Callan believes his (and others) writing and speaking has been a positive influence. I hope so, with more people out there paddling we'd better be on our best behavior. And remind those that aren't.


* For those who don't know who the Rock Man is...

Steve in Idaho said:

I and my group eddied out and parked a comfortable distance upstream, intending to wait until the moose left on his own accord.

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When I raced and camped on the Yukon River, both the race directors and the local First Nation residents we talked to said to be more afraid of moose than of bears. Unless cubs are threatened, in most cases a bear only wants to take your food. But an agitated moose wants to take your life.

tketcham said:

Mr. Callan believes his (and others) writing and speaking has been a positive influence.

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To be fair, I don't think the vast majority are reading Callan or anyone else that matters. But we can hope that doesn't apply to those who aspire to deeper travels into canoe country.

Whether old-timer or first-timer, most backcountry paddlers are trying to be good caretakers, even when they sometimes fall short.

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My first post above was cynical and probably a little off the subject. Where I was is no longer what I consider backcountry. Growth and development have rendered it more accurately front country. Advertising and outfitters have brought the crowds - not writers like Callan. This wasn't his doing.

And being honest and less cynical, what I'm seeing when I get anywhere that requires significant foot travel or investment in skill and/or gear is pretty much like what Kevin has described.

And putting my cynicism aside, I have to say this. As much traffic as I saw on the Teton, and as ignorant as many of the paddlers there are, I saw little evidence of sloth or abuse, and the campers were all pretty conscientious.

I'd go easy on Kevin. There's a long history of local writers spilling the beans on all the "secret" places (in the '80's we had Zimo). And the Internet is chock full of pseudo "guides" that are really just advertising for the local communities that profit from tourism. Writers like Callan have gone to much more length to actually educate people in wilderness ethics and skills. Gotta say I have benefited from that, and I approve.