7 Habits of Good Campers

There are certain rules, some of which are unwritten or unspoken, that you should follow when you’re camping. Generally speaking, courtesy and common sense will go a long way in knowing what sorts of behaviors are acceptable when camping, and what sorts aren’t acceptable.

Here are seven habits every good camper ought to cultivate:

1. Pick up after yourself. Leave your campsite cleaner than it was when you arrived. Clean your campsite each night so as not to have a huge mess at the end. Clean pots and pans immediately after using them to help prevent critters from wandering into the site.
2. Be quiet during quiet hours. Most campgrounds have quiet hours. Observe them. Turn off your TV or radio, and keep your voice down.
3. Don’t walk through others’ campsites. Even if it means you’ve got to walk way around, don’t walk through other peoples’ campsites. It’s much like walking through your neighbor’s living room to get to the place next door.
4. Drive slowly through the campground. There may be children playing, or even adults walking on the road. Be alert at all times when driving in the campground. Obey the posted speed limits within the campground.
5. Wash your dishes at your campsite, not at the drinking fountain or water pump. The food debris from your dishes can contaminate other people’s water.
6. Watch your children. Make sure they’re being courteous to other campers. If they’re disturbing folks, ask them to stop. The same is true for your pets. Keep them on a lead or a leash at all times, and keep them out of other campsites.
7. Don’t leave food out where it can attract animals. Store your food in locking coolers. If possible, store your food inside your car. Make sure that all of your trash, especially trash that may contain food, is disposed of properly in the campground trash bins every night.