Make a difference
Let's be real, if you're reading this, you're probably not breaking glass bottles and leaving a bunch of trash behind at your campsite. Our goals are to educate everyone on the things that may not be as obvious that are harming the enviornment and to encourage the camping community to clean up after the problematic people who trash the land.
Pack out waste
Most spots won't have trash cans, so be sure to plan ahead and leave nothing behind. Trash includes biodegradable waste such as apple cores, dog poop, etc. This type of waste is not a part of the natural habitat and can be harmful to the environment and animals.
- Dig catholes (6+ inches) for number two, pack out toilet paper
- Biodegradable waste is trash too
- Don't burn trash, pack it out
- Bonus points for cleaning up after others
- Pick up your dog's poop
Many forest fires are started from negligence towards campfires and throwing out cigarettes. Know the campfire regulations of your campsite, keep fires contained and make sure they're dead out when the campfire fun comes to an end
- Never leave your fire unattended
- Pour water over the fire, and stir it around to make sure all of the embers are out
- Keep an eye on the FreeRoam fire hazard map overlay for areas at high risk
Stick to designated roads and trails
Driving on designated, durable surfaces and hiking on trails prevents erosion and permanent damage to plants. Many natural areas have delicate structures that can be easily destroyed. Cryptobiotic crust, for example, is a delicate crust made up of many microbes that plays an integral role in desert health. Always be aware of your surroundings and read signs that may inform you about delicate, yet important biological features or geological structures.
- Always be aware of your surroundings and read signs that may inform you about delicate, yet important biological features or geological structures.
Follow the rules
The rules are there for a reason - that reason might not immediately make sense, but the government isn't going to do extra work to make a sign for no good reason. For anything you do, ask yourself "What would it look like if everyone who camped did the same thing?"
- Most spots have a 14 day stay limit
- If you don't, our ability to camp on these lands might be taken away