“If you are not a “people person,” keep your distance,
but remain cordial, as you are all sharing the
space with each other.”
Dispose of all waste properly. More populated campsites will
have designated areas for trash, but the objective is to pack
up whatever you’ve brought out. Human waste should be
buried no less than 8 inches deep into the soil, and covered
to disguise. Gray water, or used water from showering and
doing dishes, etc., should be scattered about the grounds
and NOT dumped back into the water source. It is best to
use biodegradable soap, but dumping gray water (good
soap, or not) is never allowed. It can contaminate the source
and pollute the natural habitat.
Leaving everything how you found it goes along with not
dumping your gray water back into the water source. You
want to leave the campsite and have it look as if you were
never there in the first place. This means there is no tearing
down limbs o r destroying shrubbery, no moving rocks or tak-
ing artifacts, and absolutely NO introductions of new species
in the area. For those of us who like to camp with our pets,
they should be cleaned up after as well. Make sure they are
not digging a bunch of holes around the site or destroying
the land in any way.
Cutting down limbs and trees, even for a fire, is not permit-
ted. Instead, keep fires small and only use sticks and twigs
that you find on the ground. Make sure that you research
the campsite that you’re using, as some campgrounds and
parks do not allow fires at all. Other counties, when dry, may
have a burn ban in effect, so even if they do allow campfires,
you will want to double check before building one and fac-
ing a hefty fine. The use of a campfire pan is best, so that
you reduce the likelihood of your fire spreading. When
you’re finished, spread the ashes and scatter them once
they are completely out.
Respecting the wildlife and being considerate of other
campers goes without saying. You should never feed a wild
animal, or try to interact with them closely. Observe them
from a respectable distance and admire them in their natural
habitats. Do not follow or approach them in any fashion. You
will find that other campers follow these rules and stick to
the guidelines in place, so that every camping experience
is a pleasant one. Be respectful to other campers by follow-
ing the hours of quiet time and interacting in a polite manner.
If you are not a “people person,” keep your distance, but re-
main cordial, as you are all sharing the space with each
other.
Holding true to these suggestions will keep you up to date
on camping etiquette, and when you arrive, you’ll know ex-
actly what to do with your gear, and yourself. Lend a helping
hand if you see someone that may be struggling, and always
be courteous. Clean camping is fun camping for all!