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Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
7 Best Principals for How to Camp Responsibly
I’m always surprised by the number of people I see throwing bottles and cans into the fire and leaving a mess on the camping trail. On the other hand, I get a tinge of pride when I see campers leaving their campsite with no evidence of their stay, except maybe a small flattened patch of grass from their tent.
Key Takeaways
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- Leave No Trace Principles: Emphasize minimal environmental impact by packing out all trash and using established campsites.
- Plan and Prepare: Proper planning ensures a safe and enjoyable trip while minimizing environmental strain.
- Sustainability: Opt for sustainable travel methods and eco-friendly camping gear.
- Camping Spot Selection: Choose designated sites or minimally disruptive natural clearings, avoiding vegetation disturbance and flood-prone areas.
- Waste Management: Pack out human waste or use proper disposal methods to prevent site contamination.
- Fire Safety: Only use established fire rings and follow local regulations to prevent wildfires.
- Respect Wildlife: Maintain a safe distance from animals, stick to trails, and avoid disturbing natural habitats.
- No Littering: Avoid leaving any litter, minimize noise pollution, and respect the space of other campers.
I’m not an extremist, but I subscribe to pro-environment ethics for outdoor enthusiasts. I learned this from my dad, who always told me, “Leave it nicer than you found it,” and “When you leave, no one should be able to tell you were there at all.”
This forms the basis of Leave No Trace Principles. It’s a philosophy regarding how much impact you’ve in the wild.
When camping, it is important to “leave no trace” by packing out everything that you bring in and properly disposing of all trash. This helps to preserve the natural beauty of the area and prevent pollution. Additionally, using established campsites and fire rings can help to minimize the impact on the surrounding environment and other campers.
Camping responsibly is all about being mindful of your surroundings and minimizing your impact on the environment and other people while enjoying your camping trip. This means aware of the potential harm caused by littering, damaging natural resources, disrupting wildlife, and creating noise pollution.
And in today’s guide, I’ll share a list of practices, including LNT practices on how to camp responsibly.
Read on!
Plan and Prepare
Adequate trip planning and preparation are key for responsible camping. It helps campers accomplish their travels more safely and enjoyably.
Pick a campsite that doesn’t see a lot of human traffic, especially during peak season, which can strain the existing environment.
Remember, if you expect a specific location to be crowded, you could consider an alternative and less populated location. It’s great for the environment, but exploring new places is more fun.
Consider Sustainability
It would be best to consider the sustainability aspect of your camping trip. Sustainable camping is a multi-prong approach, and depending on your camping location and conditions, there are many ways to do it.
For example, depending on how far your camping destination is, you could use a more sustainable travel method, such as walking or cycling, instead of driving. Think of more green transport methods.
If that’s not an option, why not offer to lift your fellow camper in your Jeep and reduce the emissions and environmental damage?
Also, consider whether using more sustainable materials for your gear is possible. Nowadays, there are plenty of outdoor suppliers manufacturing ethical outdoor equipment. Products with brand certifications, such as blue signs or Fairtrade, are a good start.
These products are manufactured using recycled and biodegradable materials.
Furthermore, these products are much safer to use in the long run. For example, PFC-free tents are great because they don’t use nasty waterproofing chemicals, which are bad for the environment.
Some top-rated brands producing eco-friendly camping gear are Patagonia, Kathmandu, Vaude, and Black Diamond.
Be Choosy about your Camping Spot
What’s your ideal camping spot? I imagine it’s somewhere near a water source and has breathtaking views of the mountains.
There’s no reason you can’t pick such a spot, but there’s some important consideration to keep at the back of your mind before making such a decision.
I would encourage you to consider the designated camping locations before venturing. They’re the simplest and safest camp location and are sustainable because most have loose, composite dumps and recycling bins.
However, if you choose to go into the wilderness, here are some tips to help you choose the right camping spot:
- Choose an area with naturally cleared flooring, ideally where another camper had set a tent.
- Avoid moving or disturbing too much vegetation when setting up your camp
- Avoid valleys where you could experience floods
- If you’re hammock camping, tie the straps on sturdy trees. Avoid ropes because they can damage trees.
- Camp further from the trail for serenity, and don’t disturb other campers
Disposing Poop
It sounds gross to pack your poop, but that’s what you must do when camping. You could bury it, but remember; human poop isn’t like the natural poop fueled by berries, leaves, and wild meat like the other animals.
Burying pop in concentrated locations, especially from large groups, can quickly overwhelm even the best campsites. After all, there are only so many cat holes that an area can hold before it turns into a stink hole.
And if you’re using tissue paper, remember TP doesn’t degrade fast enough in most places, especially in dryer climates. It may take a couple of months even for the biodegradable TP in a moist climate,
So, yes, consider carrying your wag bags. I hate them, but you must have them whenever you head out for a camping trail.
Fire
It would be best if you also lit fires responsibly.
But before starting a fire, check to see whether fires are allowed in your area. If they are banned, it’s for a good reason.
If they’re allowed, ensure you minimize the fire’s environmental impact. For example, if dried-up twigs and debris surround the fire spot, start the fire cautiously, not start a forest fire.
Also, don’t start a new fire spot in a campsite. Try to use the existing fire spots. You would be a shitty camper if you burned patches of grass that won’t grow back for years.
Respect Wildlife
It would be best to stick to camping spots and designated trails. Be aware of how you explore your camp.
After all, remember you’re simply a visitor, so you need to keep and maintain the spaces as pristine as you found them. Don’t be a jerk; pluck flowers and destroy rocks and shells on the trails.
Regarding animals, try to give them their personal space and don’t bug them. If possible, observe them from afar and don’t scare them.
Don’t Litter
Finally, you must be mindful of your actions and avoid littering. Please don’t bring glass bottles or gear as they may break and hurt animals later. Also, be mindful of noise; operate silently and don’t disturb animals or other campers. Don’t fly drones above other campers.
Wrap Up
Generally, camping responsibly is not being a jerk and being mindful of your actions. As I mentioned, it’s not necessarily about not leaving waste or proper trash disposal; it’s more than that.
Camping responsibly means adhering to Leave No Trace Principles, which focus on minimizing environmental impact. Planning your trip thoroughly helps avoid overburdened areas and enhances safety. Embrace sustainable practices using eco-friendly gear and minimizing emissions through alternative travel methods.
When choosing a campsite, opt for designated areas or natural clearings, and avoid disturbing vegetation or setting up in flood-prone zones.
Proper waste disposal is crucial, emphasizing packing out human waste and using biodegradable materials. Fire safety involves using established fire rings and adhering to local regulations. Respect wildlife by keeping your distance and avoiding disruption to their habitats.
Lastly, always clean up after yourself, avoid noise pollution, and respect the privacy and space of fellow campers to ensure a harmonious and environmentally friendly camping experience.
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