Carbon County offers great opportunities to socially distance naturally. And for many people, Labor Day weekend is the last weekend to get outdoors in the summer weather.

It’s particularly exciting for Lehigh River whitewater rafting enthusiasts, as it’s the last whitewater dam release for the summer.

“We’re expecting great water and beautiful weather,” said Nikki Hurley of Pocono Whitewater.

Pocono Whitewater’s trips for Saturday and Sunday are sold out. However reservations are still available for Monday, with availability for paintball and biking throughout the weekend.

During this weekend’s dam release, the flow from Francis E. Walter Dam will be increased significantly, creating class II and III rapids along the Lehigh.

Monday’s trips follow their family-style route from Jim Thorpe to Bowmanstown, with a picnic lunch at their private grove in Lehighton.

While the pandemic has made it a difficult summer for many businesses, outdoor recreation has done relatively well.

“People want to recreate outdoors, it’s healthy for them, they can socially distance naturally,” Barrett said.

Research shows many people are choosing to vacation 100-150 miles of home, and are more likely to use short-term rentals and takeout food - all things which are available in the Poconos.

Rafting companies have dealt with some restrictions. Because they operate in Lehigh Gorge State Park, they had to come up with their own COVID-19 safety plans.

That includes only allowing groups of four or more people, so each party has their own raft. Shuttle buses are running at 70-75 percent capacity, with all guests wearing masks.

Masks are also required at service counters.

State-mandated restrictions have made it tough for restaurants and hotels. Restaurants are limited to 25 percent capacity, and many overnight properties are limited to 50 percent.

“A lot of them are incredibly innovative and they’re doing a lot of things, still serving their guests and clients, but it’s incredibly difficult,” said Chris Barrett, president/CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

But the popularity of outdoor recreation may help those businesses in the long run. Visitors who came for the first time may want to return next year, which will be a good thing for the restaurants and other businesses which have had to operate at reduced capacity in 2020.

“Eventually we’re going to get past the pandemic, and if they revisit us, all of our operations will be at 100 percent and hopefully they’ll be able to enjoy everything the Poconos have to offer,” Barrett said.

Demand for outdoor activities is expected to remain strong. There’s evidence that September could be stronger than usual, and the fall foliage season is always a good one for local tourism.

Research shows that with many workers and students going online, that they can do that from anywhere, and it may lead to more people doing it here.

“What we’ve been hearing anecdotally, looking during the week, September and October does look stronger than it has in the past. We’ll have to see how that plays out in the coming weeks,” Barrett said.

Barrett hopes to see the capacity for indoor dining increased to 50 percent this fall to help restaurants who have been hampered by restrictions.

Whitewater rafting trips are available through October. On Oct. 10-11, Francis E. Walter Dam typically has its final dam release of the year, called the “mega release” by the local raft companies. Any extra water stored behind the dam is released.

While the temperature will be colder, the fall colors of the Lehigh Gorge will be on full display.

“That weekend is prime fall foliage. To view the fall foliage colors from a raft in the gorge is phenomenal,” Hurley said.