Camping Etiquette Guidelines
Every year, over 40 Million Americans from all over get out, enjoy nature, and go camping. Some are more into the rustic style off-grid camping, and others are all about glamping, but whichever you choose, you should follow the Camping Etiquette Guidelines. Following these guidelines will help for a memorable camping trip that will be good for you and fellow campers.
Learn, use, and practice these guidelines for a great camping experience. The other campers and the environment will thank you in the future!
Follow the Rules
Campgrounds have a list of rules, regulations, and tips to follow while camping. It is not your property, so please respect and follow the rules in order to have the best trip and so campers can keep coming back for future trips. Some of these rules include quiet times, number of vehicles, time for guests to leave, pet leash and waste rules and more. You can find these rules and regulations on the camground website or ask at the check-in station.
For the more adventurous campers that are on state land, parking lots, boondocking or hidden in the woods; it is important to know the law of the land where you are. You may camp in numerous spots for free or a small fee but it is important to know if you are allowed there, how long you can stay, and also respecting other campers. You may run into other campers this way and it is important to give others space, clean up after yourself, keep noise levels down, and ultimatley be respectful. Respect goes a long way!
Set Up and Follow Boundaries
It has been said that the best campsite is the one that is already there. When camping off grid, be respectful to the wildlife, other people, and their boundaries. Don’t set up too close to someone, avoid being too close to water for your safety and for animals, and be respectful of fire safety rules and laws in the area you are staying at. As always, leave no trace behind.
Campgrounds are held to a different standard than primitive sites. At a campground you are allowed your camp site from stake to stake. Common mistakes in campgrounds are when people walk through sites, playing loud music, dogs barking (big pet peeve), not cleaning up after you leave, coming and going late or early, speeding, hogging amennities such as showers, beachfront, courts, etc. These mistakes are easily avoidable and can be very annoying to other campers thus ruining their camping experience. Take note of what annoys you, and check yourself before judging everyone else. Again, respect is the best policy.
Wildlife Courtesy
It may not seem like a big deal to leave food, trash, or cutting down and trampeling through woods, but this is the animals home. It is your responsibility to clean up after yourself not only when you leave, but while you’re there. Camp in already made spots, don’t ruin habitat to create a new campsite. Be safe with fire. Check for wildfire warnings and no burn times to know for sure if you are allowed to have a fire where you are to prevent wildfires. Picking up after yourself prevents critters or predators from invading your camp. This is for your own safety and for the animals as they can choke on plastic, eat foods they can’t have, and can cause an un-needed confrontation that could cause injury or death to you or the animal.
Leave-No-Trace
The Leave-No-Trace mentality is probably the most important rule to follow. When you leave no trace, you want the land to be as it was when you arrived, if not in better condition. This means you clean up your trash, make sure fires are out and cleaned up, take your wood with you or pass it on to another camper, pick up your dog’s excrement and dispose of it, clean the surrounding area of trash for health of the earth.
More and more places are not allowing camping due to the fact people do not follow this rule. Don’t be these people. These people ruin it for everyone!
Final Tips
Camping is fun for all ages and all types of people. Follow the rules and ask if you don’t know. Better to be informed than to be the person no one likes.
Be friendly! It’s sometimes a good idea to reach out to nearby campers, introduce yourself, and don’t be afraid to mention it to them if they’re not following proper camping etiquette. It’s easier to say something if you’ve had contact when you first arrive.
Keep your dog on a leash, pick up after your dog, and please don’t let your dog bark bark bark…it may be cute to you, but it is very disturbing to the people around you. This includes not leaving your dog at the campsite unattended as dogs tend to be more naughty without supervision.
Let’s Go!
These Camping Etiquette Guidelines are meant to ensure everyone has a great time enjoying the beauty this country has to offer. Follow the rules, be respectful, and protect the earth! Let’s Go explore, camp, and Adventure! See you out there.
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