|
Caring for Your Campsite - 2007
Camping can cause significant impacts on public lands if not done properly. You can minimize much of your impact with some advanced planning.
Please, follow these guidelines:
· Hundreds of campsites have been established over the years and are apparent along many forest service roads. Use established areas as much as possible.
· Campsites must be at least 100 feet from streams, lakes or riparian areas.
· Occupy as small of an area as possible. Avoid trampling grass and shrubs.
· Do not dig a trench around your tent site.
· You can only drive a vehicle 100 feet off of an established road to set up camp.
· Using a stove is safer, easier and causes less impact than using a fire for cooking.
· Collect all cooking grease in a can and carry it out. Do not dump it on the ground.
· If possible, bring firewood or collect deadfall for campfires. It is illegal to cut down trees - even if they appear to be dead. Keep campfires small.
· Be aware of local regulations – fire bans are common in the fall. Be careful with fires, do not leave them unattended. Put fires out every night.
· Do not bury trash; do not burn items that contain aluminum foil or any type of metal.
· After shopping, attempt to minimize the amount of packaging materials brought to camp. Less material means you'll have less garbage to store and pack out.
· When you leave camp for the day, store all food and garbage securely inside vehicles, trailers or bear-proof containers. Leaving food and garbage out will attract animals – including bears. Animals will chew through bags and force open containers.
· When washing dishes, strain the water before throwing it out and put the organic debris in the trash. Small bits of food attract insects and small animals.
· At camp dig a latrine for human waste. Be sure that it is at least 100 feet from the nearest water source. Dig a hole about three-feet deep. Spread soil on top after each use. Cover completely and attempt to restore to natural condition when you break camp.
· Pack out all trash. Inspect your camp carefully after it is packed up. Leave your camp cleaner than how you found it.
|
