Survival is not taken for granted in this region. Nor is wilderness preservation. No-trace camping is a requisite for river journeys. While some landings have become favored campgrounds over the years, the mood of the river actually dictates location. It could be a sand or gravel bar, a narrow cliff shelf, or a comfortably sheltered shore location providing some early evening hiking opportunities.
Some spots warrant brief stop-overs.
The prevailing karst topography, which escaped the Wisconsin glaciation, provides land formations, caves, underground rivers, even hot springs. Dall sheep and a trumpeter swan breeding ground are other attractions. Anglers can fish for their supper. Dolly Varden and Arctic grayling are plentiful, but elusive. Up near Rabbitkettle Lake and along some of the River's tributaries northern pike and lake trout can be found, but sport fishing is not the major attraction here.