Safety, Responsibility & Stewardship

Camping is about having fun and experiencing nature, but we also have a responsibility to stay safe (for ourselves) and to take care of the land (for others and future generations). By following safety best practices and Leave No Trace principles, you ensure your trip is memorable for the right reasons. Let’s break this down into a few key areas:

Wildlife Encounters and Safety

One of the joys of camping is seeing animals – but remember, we’re visitors in their home. To stay safe:

Store Food Properly

As mentioned, in bear country use bear lockers if provided, or keep all food/coolers/toiletries inside a hard-sided RV or vehicle.
Never leave food out unattended. Bears have been known to enter tents and even RVs if lured by strong smells – so don’t leave bacon grease in a pan overnight or a honey jar on the picnic table.
Smaller critters (raccoons, mice) will also exploit any food left out.
I always put all food and trash away before sleeping, even in areas without big predators – it’s a good habit.

Keep a Clean Camp

This goes beyond food – no trash or scraps thrown about.
Some people mistakenly bury food scraps like peels or bones – don’t! Animals will dig them up.
If you have smelly garbage and you can’t immediately dispose of it, double-bag and store it in your closed vehicle.
Also, clean your grill and fire ring of food bits (burn or pack out).
Minimizing residual odors reduces wildlife interest.

Observe from Distance

Use the “rule of thumb” for large wildlife: if you hold out your arm and thumb, you should be able to cover the animal entirely with your thumb – if not, you’re too close.
Parks often mandate at least 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from bears/wolves.
So don’t approach that elk or bison for a selfie – they seem docile but can charge and gore you if threatened.
Give animals room to go about their business. Use binoculars or zoom lenses for a closer look.

Don’t Feed Wildlife

A fed animal is often a dead animal – feeding teaches them to seek out people for food, leading to dangerous encounters and usually the animal being euthanized or relocated.
Squirrels, chipmunks, jays – it’s tempting to toss a crumb, but for their health and your safety, resist.
Secure your pet’s food too; don’t leave Bowser’s bowl with kibble out all day.

Know the Wildlife in Area

Research what creatures you might meet and how to react:

Bears

If black bears common, have bear spray accessible (on your belt or in tent/RV by door).
If a bear comes near camp, make noise, bang pots, often they’ll run (black bears are generally timid).
If a grizzly area, be much more cautious: never surprise one – make noise when hiking, and if one approaches, you may need to use bear spray or back away slowly (each scenario differs – if it’s a defensive encounter (bear with cubs), you’d try to de-escalate; if it’s predatory (rare), fight back aggressively).
Study up using NPS guidelines for bear encounters.

Mountain Lions

Very rare to see. They usually avoid you.
If you encounter one, don’t run; make yourself look big, maintain eye contact, and back away slowly.
If it approaches, yell, throw sticks/rocks. If attacked, fight back (protect your neck).
Keep small kids & pets close in lion country (dusk/dawn especially).

Moose

More people are injured by moose than bears in some areas.
They can be very aggressive in rut or with calves.
Give them LOTS of space – 50 yards or more.
If one charges, run – get behind a tree or something (they won’t chase around objects much).

Smaller Critters

Raccoons can open coolers and latches; use carabiners or locks on food bins.
Porcupines chew tires or hoses sometimes for salt – store those away from ground if in porcupine country.
Snakes – watch where you step or reach in woodpiles.
If in venomous snake territory, wear closed shoes at night, use a flashlight.
Many snakes (rattlers) are more active at night in hot areas.
If you hear a rattle, locate the snake visually before moving – then back away slowly out of strike range.

Insects

Mosquitoes and ticks are more annoyances (though ticks carry diseases).
Use repellent or wear long sleeves/pants when needed.
Around camp, a Thermacell or citronella candle can deter some bugs.
If stinging insects (bees, wasps) are around, locate their source (a wasp nest under the picnic table? Inform hosts or carefully spray at night when they’re dormant).
Check your shoes and clothes if left out – spiders or scorpions might hide (shake them out).

Hiking Safety

Tell someone your plan when venturing out (even a note in RV for others to see).
Carry basic emergency gear (water, whistle, small first aid, jacket).
Know the signs of trail presence of wildlife (fresh scat, tracks) – if you see a lot of bear sign, perhaps make noise or avoid that area.

Bear-proofing RV

Hard-sides are generally safe, but if in known bear problem areas, don’t leave windows open when away (yes, bears can climb in if they smell food).
Keep food out of view as well.
In soft-sided campers (pop-ups, tents), extra caution: absolutely use bear lockers or leave food in vehicle; you might even consider cooking/eating away from sleeping area to avoid food odors where you sleep.

Emergency Preparedness and Communication

First Aid & Medical

Always have a first aid kit on hand.
Know basic first aid (how to clean a wound, treat a burn, make a splint).
Outings can be hours from a hospital, so being able to stabilize an injury is crucial.
If someone has severe allergic reactions (bee stings, etc.), ensure they have an EpiPen and others know how to use it.
Have a thermometer and remedies for common issues (Advil, Benadryl, hydrocortisone for bites, etc.).

Fire Safety

We covered campfires – keep them controlled and attended.
Also consider your RV’s fire safety: test smoke alarms regularly, keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen and one in the bedroom.
Know your escape routes (which window is an egress window? Practice opening it).
In case of a vehicle fire, evacuate first, then use extinguisher if safe.
If wildfire in area, have a plan: keep your tow vehicle fueled and hitched if in a risky spot so you can leave quickly if an evacuation order comes.
Heed any fire bans to the letter – one careless ember can start a massive wildfire.

Communication Plan

If you’re going off-grid, let a friend or family know as mentioned when you plan to check back in.
If going solo to very remote places, consider investing in that satellite messenger – it truly can save a life (yours or someone else’s).
Many areas have volunteer search-and-rescue – make their jobs easier by not deviating from your stated plan without updating someone.

Weather Emergencies

Know what to do if severe weather hits.
In high winds, bring in slides if your RV manual suggests (some do to protect toppers), definitely retract awnings.
In potential tornadoes, know the nearest solid structure (campground bathhouse or ditch if none).
For lightning, hard-sided vehicles are safe; if tenting, best to get in your car during a lightning storm.

Security (People)

Campgrounds are generally safe communities, but petty theft can occur (as noted, lock up valuables, don’t leave expensive gear out overnight).
If you’re boondocking and an odd stranger approaches making you uncomfortable, trust your gut. It’s okay to leave and find a new spot if someone’s giving off bad vibes.
Carry bear spray accessible – it works on people too in a pinch (a non-lethal but effective defense).
In very rare cases of malicious intent, having some self-defense training or device is wise (whether that’s an air horn, a firearm if you’re trained and legally carrying, or simply your vehicle’s ability to drive off).
But again, crimes against campers are quite rare – nonetheless, being mentally prepared and aware of surroundings is the best prevention.

Vehicle Prep

Keep your vehicle in good shape to avoid breakdown dangers: check tires, fluid levels, etc., on travel days.
If you break down in a remote area, ensure you have water and a way to call for help (satellite messenger or someone who knows to look for you when overdue).
Better yet, have a roadside assistance membership (Good Sam, AAA RV, etc.) and a means to contact them.

Preventative Maintenance

Little safety things: tighten your lug nuts periodically (trailer wheels can work loose – carry a torque wrench).
Use a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) – a blowout not only is risky driving, but could start a fire if rim drags (rare but happens).
Keep propane off while driving except fridge if needed (some states require turning it off in tunnels, etc.).
These small practices reduce accident risk.

Leave No Trace Principles & Etiquette

We’ve touched on LNT throughout: plan ahead (permits), travel on durable surfaces (don’t make new campsites by crushing vegetation), dispose of waste properly (we hit that hard), leave what you find (don’t collect rocks, antlers, petrified wood, artifacts), minimize campfire impacts (use existing rings, burn only dead/down wood or charcoal, fully extinguish), respect wildlife (covered) and be considerate of others.

Campground Etiquette

Basic courtesy goes a long way.
Observe quiet hours – sound really carries at night when background noise is low.
If you’re a early riser, don’t fire up the loud diesel at 5 am or run the generator at first light (unless allowed and necessary).
Keep voices/music reasonable, especially in quiet natural parks – a campsite is not the place for blasting your stereo (I promise the campers by the lake prefer crickets and frogs).

Light Etiquette

More people are complaining about excessive outdoor lighting at camp.
We all love starry skies – so, turn off string lights and awning LEDs when you go to bed.
Don’t leave a porch light on all night (unless security concerns) – your neighbor might be staring at that instead of stars.
Use red lights or low lumens if you do need some night lighting (red light preserves night vision and is less obtrusive).

Give Space & Aid

In dispersed areas, spread out.
If you arrive at a spot and there’s only one other rig, perhaps park on the other end of the clearing to give privacy (unless that’s the only level spot – then communicate “hey, mind if we share this area?”).
Conversely, in a crowded campground, accept that privacy is limited, but still don’t cut through someone’s site as a shortcut (walk around on roads/trails – sites are considered someone’s temporary yard).

Be Friendly but Respectful

Greet neighbors, but also read cues if they prefer solitude.
Many great friendships start at camp, but also many come for quiet retreat – gauge and respect either.
If you have kids or dogs, ensure they don’t roam into others’ camps uninvited.

Noise in Nature

If you’re boondocking in a pristine wilderness, consider the impact of noisy generators, ATVs, loud music on the experience (for you, wildlife, any others).
Opt for quieter alternatives when possible (e.g., enjoy a quiet morning soundscape instead of cranking your truck stereo).
There’s a saying: “Let nature’s sounds prevail.”

Firewood & Impact

Use local firewood to avoid spreading tree-killing pests.
Don’t hack at live trees for wood or nails.
Keep fires small – you don’t need a bonfire visible from space to enjoy s’mores.
And absolutely don’t leave fire unattended or smoldering – drown it out (should be cool to touch before you leave it).

Improve the Site

If you see trash, pick it up (use gloves).
I often carry a small garbage bag on walks to collect litter – it feels good.
At dispersed sites, scatter your cold fire ring ashes or leave the ring for reuse depending on area (some prefer you use existing ring rather than make new ones, so leaving it is fine; others ask you dismantle extra fire rings – check local LNT guidance).
Basically, leave the site how you’d love to find it.

Respect Local Cultures

If you’re camping on or near Native American lands or in regions with cultural significance, be extra mindful not to disturb sites.
Don’t collect pottery shards or arrowheads – it’s illegal and disrespectful.
Some places have rock art or ruins – look, enjoy, but do not touch or deface.
And heed any special regulations those communities request (some tribes require permits or have sacred areas off-limits – always follow those rules).

Drones

Many find drones annoying at camp.
Check rules (national parks ban them outright; national forests allow unless locally restricted).
If you use one, avoid buzzing over others’ sites and keep it brief.
It’s courteous to ask nearby campers if they mind before launching one.
And never harass wildlife with a drone – it can stress animals.

By following these safety and stewardship guidelines, you not only protect yourself and the environment, but you also become the kind of camper that land managers welcome back. There’s a concept of “camping ambassador” – your actions represent the camping community. If a ranger sees you doing things right, it reflects well on all and helps keep these places open and beautiful.

Now, even with best preparations, things can go wrong (flat tire, dead battery, etc.). In our final bit, let’s arm you with some quick troubleshooting tips for common beginner challenges – so a hiccup doesn’t derail your trip. Then we’ll wrap up with a summary and some encouragement for your journey ahead!

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Setting Up Camp

Beginner Tips & Troubleshooting

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