Pack out everything
Bring a bag and take out every item you brought in. That includes cans, cups, wrappers, fruit peels, broken sandals, towels, dog waste bags, and anything that fell behind a rock. Food scraps are still garbage in a sensitive natural area.
If you can safely pick up a few extra pieces of litter, leave the river better than you found it.
Keep it quiet and small
A river carries sound, and nearby residents or other visitors may be closer than they seem. Keep voices reasonable, skip loud speakers, and avoid turning a natural swimming hole into a party spot.
Smaller groups are easier to park, easier to supervise, and easier on the riverbank.
Private property is not a shortcut
Do not cross fences, use driveways, walk through yards, or ignore posted signs. If the only way to reach a spot seems to involve private property, choose another plan.
Protect riverbank habitat
Stay on durable surfaces where possible, avoid trampling plants, and do not move logs, rocks, or natural features to make a more comfortable hangout. Riverbanks are living edges, not picnic furniture.
Small habits protect the area
Good river etiquette is not complicated. Stay quiet near homes, keep music low or off, pack out garbage, avoid trampling vegetation, respect signs, and give other people space. A small swimming hole can feel crowded quickly when visitors spread out across every rock and trail edge.
Think of the potholes as a shared natural place, not a private party spot. The more respectful each visit is, the more likely the area remains enjoyable for locals, families, careful swimmers, photographers, and future visitors.