Leave No Trace: Principles for Responsible and Sustainable Camping
This blog post from Rjourney aims to guide you through sustainable practices for minimizing environmental impact while enjoying the great outdoors.
While camping is a fun experience that can create memories that will last a lifetime, it also comes with a sense of sustainable responsibility. By following the seven principles of Leave No Trace, you can best preserve nature for future generations to enjoy. Allow our team at Rjourney to provide you with a responsible camping checklist and sustainable camping tips.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
The first item on your camping essentials checklist is to plan ahead and be prepared. Do research on campground regulations and incoming weather conditions. Visit together in small groups whenever possible. If needed, split large groups into smaller groups. Repackage all your food to minimize waste at the campground. Bring a GPS or map with you for further guidance.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Another good camping responsibility tip is to camp on a durable and safe surface. After all, good campsites are found, not made. Durable surfaces include designated campsites, rock, sand, snow, gravel, and dry grasses. To best protect water terrains such as lakes and rivers, camp at least 200 feet away from shore.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
Another critical part of sustainable camping is properly disposing of waste. Pick up all trash and litter you make and also find. Utilize on-site toilet facilities and bring your own toiletries, such as toilet paper. Use water from streams and lakes and wash your dishes with small amounts of biodegradable soap. Before leaving, thoroughly inspect and clean your campsite so that you leave nothing behind.
4. Leave What You Find
Although exploring the great outdoors is a critical part of the camping experience, we are encouraged to leave nature better than we found it. To do so, leave behind all you see, including rocks, plants, and other natural resources. Simply admire or even take photographs of nature and leave it without touching it. Additionally, don’t build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
Even though building a campfire is a standard part of camping, it can also leave lasting effects on the environment. Wherever fires are permitted, use established fire rings and pits. Keep all fires small by using only down and dead wood from the ground. When done, extinguish all fires entirely and scatter cool ashes.
6. Respect Wildlife
When it comes to respecting wildlife, it’s best to do so from a distance. If you do encounter wildlife directly, do not touch and feed it or expose it to natural predators. If you have any pets with you, such as a dog or cat, make sure they are controlled and in your view at all times.
7. Be Considerate of Others
Finally, make sure you show common decency and courtesy to fellow campers. This helps us all enjoy the great outdoors. Some proper practices to follow are yielding to others using trails, camping away from other campers, and avoiding making loud noises.
Camp Responsibly With Us at Rjourney
The best way to implement these camping safety tips is to use them during your stay at Rjourney. Our many RV resorts and campgrounds across the country have several amenities included to help make sustainable camping easy, even for beginners.
Contact us online to book your stay today!