River Safety and How to Cross Safely

River safety is one of the most important skills for anyone exploring the outdoors in New Zealand. Rivers can rise quickly after heavy rain or due to snowmelt, particularly in spring, turning a tame river into a life-threatening hazard within minutes. Many outdoor incidents happen because hikers and trampers misjudge river conditions or don’t know how to cross a river safely.

While most popular tracks have bridges, many others require river crossings. To cross a river safely, you need the right skills, including recognising the signs of an unsafe river and knowing the correct crossing technique. If you don’t have this training, stick to tracks with bridges until you do.

Every river crossing should be treated with caution. If in doubt, stay out!

Learn how to handle rivers like a pro

Plan Ahead for River Crossings

Hikers and trampers should take river safety into consideration for every trip. These guidelines will help you get suitably prepared for river crossings.

Identify any river crossings on your route. Does everyone in the group have the skills to make the crossing? If not, is there a bridge or alternate track, or do you need to choose another route?
Check the weather forecast. Look at rain in the river catchment area, not just where you’ll be hiking, as rain upstream will soon make its way down the river. If rain is expected, consider changing your plans.
Have a plan B. If the river is unsafe to cross, have a plan B. As part of your planning, identify an alternative route or where you could backtrack to a hut or shelter.
Take essential gear. Always pack an emergency shelter, extra food, a torch, a first aid kit and an emergency communication device in case you have to wait for the river to drop.
Use a pack liner. Put everything in a waterproof bag or dry sack in your pack so that it stays dry. For essential items, consider spreading them out amongst your group or taking double so if someone’s gear gets wet, you have a backup.
Share your trip plans. Let your emergency contact know there is a river crossing on the route that could hold you up and what your plan will be if it does, and arrange to let them know if you are delayed.

Download an essential tramping gear list here.

Know the Signs of an Unsafe River

The first step in river safety is knowing when a river is unsafe to cross. Take time to check for these signs and discuss them as a group.

Too fast? Moving faster than normal walking pace?
Too murky? Is the water brown and dirty?
Too messy? Logs, branches or other debris in the water?
Too loud? Do you hear roaring water or rolling rocks?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, don’t cross. Remember: If in doubt, stay out.

What To Do if the River is Unsafe

If the river is not safe to cross:

Wait for the river to drop. Pitch your emergency shelter and make yourself comfortable.
Use your plan B. This may mean turning back or taking an alternate track that doesn't require crossing the river.
Tell your emergency contact about your change of plans as soon as you can.

How to Choose a Safe Place to Cross

If you consider the river is safe to cross, the next step is to choose where to cross. Take your time to inspect the river and discuss the options with your group. There are a number of factors that will help you determine the safest place to make your crossing.

Choose an entry point where you can get into the river easily (and back again if the crossing becomes unsafe), and where the far side provides an easy exit.
Look for a place where the bottom of the river is most even. A shingle bed is ideal.
The current should be no faster than walking pace. To judge the flow, throw a stick into the fastest stretch of water and keep pace with it by walking along the bank.
The depth of the water should ideally be no higher than the thighs of the shortest person in the group.

Tips for selecting a safe spot

View the river from a high vantage point to gauge the depth of the river and see any gravel spits, sandbanks, channels or obstacles.
Avoid obstacles such as rapids, submerged trees or branches, wrecked fences, bluffs that have been undercut by the river, steep banks where it will be hard to climb out, and side-streams.
Avoid places where channels meet as this is where holes can form.
Beware of cloudy or dirty water that could hide obstacles on the riverbed.
Don't underestimate shallow, fast-flowing water. The current should be no faster than walking pace no matter how deep the water.
Avoid areas of the river with steep banks as these often mean deeper water.
In glacial or pumice rivers, avoid muddy, sandy, and silty areas.

Know the Techniques for a Safe River Crossing

If the river passes all your checks and you have river crossing skills, these techniques will help get you across safely.

Leave your footwear on to give you more stability and protect your feet.
Remove any baggy clothing (like rainwear) and stow it in your pack to reduce drag.
Undo the chest strap on your pack so you can slip it off easily if you need to.
Keep your waist belt done up to keep the pack balanced. As long as your pack liner is sealed, it will help you keep afloat if you lose your footing.
Clip your emergency communication device securely to your clothing so if you need to ditch your pack, you can still call for help.

Keep side on to the current to reduce resistance.
Keep your feet wide.
Don’t lift your feet too much – take small shuffling steps.
Move diagonally downstream, looking ahead to your exit point.
For groups, always use the mutual support method.

The mutual support method, which requires a group of two or more people, is the safest way to cross a river.

Put your strongest person upstream to break the force of the water, followed by less confident members. If you have more than two people, put another strong person on the downstream end.
Stand in tight formation side by side and place your arms between the back and pack of the person next to you, grasping the hip belt or, if not wearing a pack, their clothing.
Practise on land first and agree on signals to turn back in case the crossing becomes unsafe and you can't be heard above the noise of the river.
The upstream person will lead the crossing, moving slowly so the group can keep pace, and stopping for anyone who loses their footing to regain their balance.
If the crossing becomes unsafe, the person leading the crossing will need to make the call to retreat.

How to retreat

Retreating is difficult, so it’s important that everyone knows how to do it before you enter the water. The caterpillar turn allows a group to turn around and retrace their steps safely. If the current is too strong, however, the group will need to back out of the water.

For the caterpillar turn, the leader begins to turn while the person at the other end of the group stays put to act as an anchor. The process is repeated as each group member turns. Once the turn has been completed, the group can retreat to the riverbank.

The safest way to cross a river on your own is with a sturdy pole that’s about 2 metres long. It will provide extra stability, acting like a third leg. The pole could be a branch or stick that you find nearby. If you can’t find one, a trekking pole extended to its maximum length is another option.

Some trekking poles will not be suitable for a safe river crossing. Before using this technique, check:

Length: Can it extend to shoulder height?
Strength: Will it hold firmly against the current?
Durability: Is it strong enough to handle both your weight and the force of the river without snapping?

Top tips

Test your trekking pole on land before entering the water.
Remove the baskets, if fitted, as these can catch the current.
If your trekking poles are lightweight, hold both poles together for added strength.

If you don't have a suitable pole or trekking pole, or you’re not comfortable crossing the river on your own, wait for another person to cross with or find a different route without a river crossing.

Solo crossing technique

Hold the pole in both hands in front of your body as you enter the river.
Plant the pole on the riverbed at a 45 degree angle upstream and in front of your feet. Find a strong placement where it will not slip.
Use the pole to help you balance as you carefully move one foot forward at a time.
Once your footing is secure, move the pole forward again and repeat until you are at the far bank.
If you need to retreat, reverse your grip on the pole and turn around slowly before heading back the way you came.

Get Mentally Prepared for an Unsafe River

Even if you know the signs of an unsafe river, it can be tempting to risk crossing if you’re tired and the end is in sight. By considering the psychological factors and being mentally prepared to wait it out or turn around, you'll be less likely to throw yourself into a risky situation. Check that you’re in the right mindset to make a safe decision with these five questions.

What’s driving your decision?

Consider what might be influencing your decision-making and whether you are putting other factors ahead of your safety. Is this a good weather window that you don’t want to miss? Are you on the home stretch and keen to get to your destination for the night?

Crossed here before?

If you’ve crossed the river safely in the past, that experience could lull you into a false sense of security. Approach each river with fresh eyes and thinking.

Everyone in the group comfortable crossing?

Make sure everyone has the chance to speak up, not just those with experience. If you’re worried, make your voice heard.

Are you being influenced by others?

Just because others have crossed the river ahead of you, doesn’t make it safe for you. Use the evidence available to you, and take into account your skills and experience.

Questions People Ask About River Safety

A river may be unsafe to cross if it is flowing faster than walking pace, looks murky or dirty, carries logs or other items, or is loud with roaring water or rolling rocks. If you notice any of these signs, do not attempt to cross. The safest choice is always: if in doubt, stay out.

If a river is unsafe, wait for the water level to drop. Set up your emergency shelter, let your emergency contact know you’ve been delayed, and use your Plan B route if needed. Never risk crossing a swollen or fast-moving river, even if you are close to your destination.

If the river is safe and you have the right skills, use proper crossing techniques. Keep your footwear on, undo your chest strap, and agree on an exit point before entering. Move side-on to the current and take small shuffling steps. For groups, use the mutual support method. Solo trampers should use a supporting aid for stability, like a sturdy branch or trekking pole.

Before your trip, identify any rivers on your route and check that everyone in your group has the skills to cross safely. Always check the weather forecast, pack essential emergency gear, line your pack with a waterproof bag, and share your trip plan with a trusted contact. Having a plan B is essential in case the river is too dangerous.

What To Do Next

Continue your preparation with our online resources. There is still plenty to learn to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Explore our river safety resources

Know how to cross a river | Watch MSC’s river crossing safety video
Learn more | Read about river safety in the Bushcraft Manual
Get the training | Find a river crossing course

Read our river crossing stories

Last reviewed and updated September 2025