How to Go Green Camping

: Exercise caution with fires. The only safe way to extinguish a campfire is with water.
Step 1: Camp close to home Choose a camp site close to home. This reduces gasoline consumption and automobile emissions associated with getting there.
Step 2: Camp in a campground Set up your camp in a designated camping area. By staying within a designated camping area, your visit will leave a smaller footprint.
TIP: Purchase local firewood. You stand a greater chance of introducing pests that are non-native to the area if you carry wood in from another location.
Step 3: Don’t disturb plants and animals Observe but don’t disturb local plant and animal life. Don’t feed local wildlife because it may it may interfere with their natural foraging instincts.
Step 4: Properly dispose of all waste Leave the campsite in the same condition it was in when you arrived. If the campground does not have recycling bins, take the trash home and recycle it there.
Step 5: Bring reusable dishes and towels Bring reusable dishes and cloth towels. Do not plan on burning paper plates and towels in the campfire because they contain chemicals that may harm the environment.
Step 6: Use biodegradable soap Bring a bucket and biodegradable soap for washing dishes.
FACT: More than 80 percent of all forest fires in the U.S. are started by careless human behavior.

Lessons in this Guide