Camping Responsibly: Tips For Being A Thoughtful Outdoor Adventurer

Camping is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy nature. However, it's important to be a responsible camper to minimise your impact on the environment. Here are some tips on how to be a considerate and environmentally conscious camper.

Respect quiet hours

Respecting quiet hours is an important aspect of being a responsible camper. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am. During this time, it is important to keep noise levels to a minimum to ensure that fellow campers are not disturbed.

Sounds travel easily at night, and staying up too late or playing music can disrupt the peace and quiet of the campground. It is important to be considerate of others and allow everyone to get adequate rest, especially if they have planned early-morning activities. Keeping noise levels down also allows campers to enjoy the natural sounds of the outdoors, which can be drowned out by loud music or conversations.

If you are planning to socialise or play music, it is best to do so during the daytime when people are less likely to be resting or sleeping. If you are returning to your campsite late at night, keep your voices low and avoid loud conversations or laughter that may disturb others. Remember that even normal conversation volume can seem loud in the quiet of the night.

It is also important to respect the peace and quiet of the natural environment. Avoid using loud electronics or power equipment during quiet hours, as these can disrupt the natural ambiance of the campground. If you need to use a generator, refer to the campground rules for designated generator use times.

By respecting quiet hours, you can ensure that everyone at the campground can enjoy a peaceful night's rest and be well-rested for their outdoor adventures the next day.

Don't feed or harass wildlife

When camping, it is important to remember that you are a guest in the home of the animals that live there. As such, it is crucial to respect their space and not interfere with their daily lives.

Feeding wildlife can cause a range of issues, from attracting unwanted animals to your campsite to unintentionally harming them. Animals have their own natural diets, and human food can be dangerous for them, leading to health issues or an unbalanced ecosystem. Additionally, feeding wildlife can make them dependent on humans for food, which can cause them to lose their natural hunting instincts and increase the risk of human-wildlife conflict.

Harassing wildlife, such as chasing or scaring animals, can cause unnecessary stress and negatively impact their health. It can also disrupt their natural behaviours, such as mating, hunting, or caring for their young. Remember that you are in their home, and they have just as much right to be there as you do. Keep your distance and respect their space. If you want to observe wildlife, do so from a distance, and always put the animals' well-being first.

To avoid unintentionally attracting wildlife, it is important to practice proper food storage and waste management. Store your food in secure containers and never leave food unattended. Clean up after meals or snacks immediately, and never store food or eat in your tent. Dispose of waste properly, following the "carry in, carry out" principle. This means packing out all your trash, including food waste, and disposing of it in designated areas or taking it with you when you leave.

By following these guidelines, you can help minimise your impact on the environment and ensure that they remain healthy and thriving in their natural habitat.

Respect the environment

Respecting the environment is a key part of being a responsible camper. Here are some ways to ensure you're minimising your impact on the natural world around you:

Choose the Right Campsite

When selecting a campsite, opt for existing campsites whenever possible. Avoid pitching your tent in heavily vegetated areas, as this can harm the flora. Instead, look for non-vegetated, durable surfaces to set up camp. Stay at least 200 feet away from water sources, trails, and other campsites. This reduces your impact on the environment and gives you privacy during your camping trip.

Leave No Trace

A good rule of thumb for responsible camping is to "pack out what you pack in." Bring extra trash bags so you can pack out any litter you generate, as well as any trash left behind by other campers. Leaving your campsite as you found it ensures that others can enjoy the same pristine natural environment.

Cooking and Washing Up

Using a camp stove instead of a campfire for cooking can significantly reduce your impact on the land. If you do build a campfire, use existing fire rings, build a mound fire, or use a fire pan. Only use fallen timber for your fire; never cut down live trees or limbs, as these won't burn as well, and you'll be harming the local ecosystem. Make sure your fire is completely extinguished before turning in for the night.

When washing up, avoid using detergents, soap, or toothpaste near water sources. These products can harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash yourself and your dishes at least 200 feet away from lakes and streams, and scatter the dirty water so it filters through the soil rather than flowing into water sources.

Waste Disposal

If there are designated washrooms, use them, and opt for biodegradable products to reduce your impact on aquatic life. If there are no toilets, use a portable latrine if possible, and pack out your waste. If a portable latrine is not available, bury your waste in a hole 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials and pack out your toilet paper.

Respect other campers

Respecting other campers is a key part of being a responsible camper. Here are some ways to ensure you're being respectful to your fellow campers:

Firstly, keep your campsite at least 200 feet away from other campsites, hiking trails, and water sources. This gives everyone their own space to enjoy nature and reduces your impact on the environment. It's also important to respect quiet hours, which are usually from 10 pm to 7 am. Keep noise levels down during these times, as sounds travel easily at night and can disturb those around you.

If you're camping with a pet, always keep them on a leash. This is especially important if there are children or other campers nearby who may be uncomfortable around animals. Similarly, never walk through someone else's campsite. You wouldn't want someone walking through yours!

Lastly, always leave your campsite as you found it. Make sure to pack out whatever you packed in and bring extra trash bags to pick up any litter left behind by others. By doing so, you're ensuring that the next camper can enjoy the site just as you did.

Plan ahead

Planning ahead is essential to being a responsible camper. Knowing the environment and the rules and regulations of the area you plan to camp in is crucial. This includes being aware of the seasonality of your camping trip and any associated restrictions—for example, during the dry season, check whether campfires are permitted at your campsite. It is also important to know whether clean water is available at your campsite, or if you will need to bring a water purification system. If you are camping with children, be sure to choose a family-friendly location with activities suitable for kids.

In addition to understanding the rules and regulations, it is important to plan ahead by choosing the right camping equipment. Repackage your food and snacks in resealable bags to reduce waste and make your trip more eco-friendly. Bring extra trash bags so that you can pack out any litter you generate, as well as any trash left behind by other campers. If there are no toilets at the campsite, consider bringing a portable latrine, and remember to pack out your waste and toilet paper.

Planning ahead also means being mindful of the environmental impact of your camping trip. To minimise your impact, try to use existing campsites and pitch your tent on durable, non-vegetated surfaces away from water sources, hiking trails, and other campsites. If you plan to cook during your trip, consider bringing a camp stove, as these have less impact on the land than campfires. However, if you are set on having a campfire, be sure to use designated fire rings, build a mound fire, or use a fire pan.

Frequently asked questions