- Eye Care in the Backcountry: The dry air and wind can cause irritation, so pack eye drops to soothe your eyes from sand and dust encountered on the river and trails.
- Contact Lens Hygiene: If you wear contacts, bring extra disposables to swap out frequently; be cautious when handling them, as the hand-wash water contains a small amount of bleach per park regulations.
- Secure Your Specs: To prevent losing your glasses in the Colorado River, always use a retention strap like Chums and store them in a hard-shell case when not in use.
Rafting through the Grand Canyon can be tough on your eyes! The dry canyon air and wind can cause redness and irritation, if you wear contacts or prescription glasses. You’re also likely to get sand/dust in your eyes at some point, so don’t forget to pack some eye drops! Here is what you need to know if you are planning on bringing eyewear.
Contacts
The advantage of contacts is that you don’t have to worry about them falling off or slipping down a sweaty nose! However, you’ll have to swap them out often due to the harsh canyon climate and abundance of dirt/sand. Additionally, your eyes may become irritated if you wash your hands, then change your contact lenses. Our hand wash water contains a small amount of bleach per park service regulations. Consider bringing extra disposable lenses to switch out more than once a day and a pair of backup glasses.
Glasses
Glasses are a great option since you don’t have to touch your eyes. Just put them on and you’re all set! Bring a hard shell case for storage and a retention strap so your glasses don’t end up at the bottom of the Colorado! We are seeing more people have prescription sunglasses, which is great. Those are a fantastic option to keep your eyes protected in the canyon.