Campfires – Only burn wood. Do not burn trash or other items that may produce environmental toxins which negatively impact air quality. Remember to burn only the wood that is necessary to keep warm or light the campsite, do not take wood from forests that are protected under the United States Forest Service, and always have a fire ring or boundary made so that fire doesn’t escape it’s pile causing forest fires.

Trash – Use biodegradable toiletries, recycle recyclables, and put all waste in proper place. A lot of public campsites now have specific waste holders for aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and general trash. Just use two separate garbage bags instead of one…one for general trash and the other for plastic and aluminum. Then when you empty the one with recyclables in it, re-use that one for general trash. Biodegradable camping supplies can be found at major sporting goods stores, online, and at some supermarkets. It’s worth the extra $5 per trip to help save nature.

Man vs. Machine – When camping in a public campground such as a state park or a privately owned campground, use manpower instead of natural resource fueled machinery (unless a handicap or injury prevents you from doing so). The bathhouse may seem miles away, but in most campgrounds it’s only a brisk walk a few hundred feet away. Minimize the electric and water that is used if you are staying in an RV rated site. Some people feel like, “hey it’s not my utility bill, so why do I care”. Well, it may not directly be their bill, but all campers are affected when prices rise to take care of this increased cost…not to mention the excess resources that are being used to produce this electric and potable water. Camping helps with the enjoyment of nature. A little dirt, grim, and sweat won’t hurt!