Headed out to explore the wild? Sweet. Just don’t forget—you can survive without cell service, but not without water. And no, that crystal-clear mountain stream isn’t nature’s Brita filter.
The National Park Service has some advice on this: never drink from natural water sources unless you’ve purified it. It doesn’t matter how clear or magical that alpine stream looks—it still might be hiding things your gut can really hate.
Here’s the thing: backcountry and wilderness areas don’t usually come with drinking fountains. So if you’re planning to hike, camp, or generally get off the grid, you need to think about your water game. That means knowing where to find it, how to clean it, and how not to end your trip with something like giardiasis (it basically rhymes with “ew”).
Step Zero: Know Before You Go
Before you pack your candy bars and bear spray, hit up the park’s website or give them a call. Look for the “Plan Your Visit” section and check if there’s any drinkable (a.k.a. “potable”) water along your route. This is also where you’ll find any water quality alerts—like algae blooms or chemical spills–yep, those do happen.
Step One: Don’t Trust a Pretty Stream
Water can look like it’s straight out of a postcard and still be crawling with invisible nasties—bacteria, viruses, and microscopic party crashers that your stomach will definitely not appreciate. So, basically, don’t drink unfiltered water. Ever.
Step Two: Purify!
Here’s your DIY water treatment crash course:
- Scoop it up – Grab water from a flowing source (moving water is usually cleaner than stagnant stuff).
- Filter it – Use a backpacking water filter to get rid of dirt, sediment, and some pathogens.
- Disinfect it – Boil it (1 minute at a rolling boil, more at higher altitudes), or use water purification tablets or drops. That’ll take care of the invisible threats.
Boom—you now have water that won’t try to kill you or make you feel like it.
Final Tips
- Always prep your water before you’re desperate. Thirsty + unfiltered water = bad decisions.
- If it’s a hot day, double your water prep. You’ll probably need it.
- If you’re feeling sick after your trip with belly trouble, fatigue, or worse, definitely talk to your doctor.
So go ahead, chase waterfalls—just don’t drink them raw!
