7 Tips for Minimum-Impact Camping

Whether it's the sound of raindrops on a tent's canopy, the smell of a campfire, or the nightly serenade of a coyote, camping's memories are indelible to outdoor enthusiasts. Perhaps it's those early morning hikes along a spring trail, the lure of a lake's lunker or just family time away from the cell phone, business and the grind of day-to-day obligations that brings you back.

It really doesn't matter what the allure is, it's the outdoors, a place where everyone owns a slice, regardless of economic challenges, age, race or religion. It's ours if we're willing to experience it and considerate enough to think about those co-owners who may pitch their tent on the same spot days, weeks, perhaps even decades later.

Every camper knows the anguish of arriving at a trashed campsite. Bags are blowing in the breeze, cans and boxes litter about and grease floats in the trout stream you were ready to fish. Litter can be picked up, but unknowingly poisoning the wildlife's water, damaging trees and altering the ecosystem means future generations will never share the same experience.

Why not leave your campsite in as good, or even better shape than you found it by adhering to a few simple rules that take very little effort? It'll make the experience better for you because the area won't become trashed before you leave and more pristine for the next group of campers as they pitch their tent. Someday you might be the person who gets to experience, firsthand, the benefits of a previous group's minimum-impact camping.

Here are 7 simple rules to obey.

1. If you pack it in, pack it out. Don't leave any trash behind and haul out anything you find that has been left by others.

2. If possible, camp in an existing campsite, which is often mandatory in many areas anyway. Try and locate your tent or trailer on durable surfaces, established pads or in areas with little or no vegetation so you minimize disturbance.

3. Your campsite should always be at least 200 feet from any water and, out of respect, the same distance from other camps.

4. Observe all fire restrictions, use any established fire pits or rings for campfires and cook on a camp stove when you can because it leaves less of an impact on the area. Firewood should only be composed of fallen branches or leaves. Never scrounge for fuel on live trees. Remember too, clear away all pine needles, branches or anything flammable from the fire ring's immediate area.

5. Brush your teeth, wash dishes and bathe at least 200 feet from any waterway. Even toothpaste can be toxic to wildlife or attract bears with its sweet smell.

6. When putting out a campfire allow the embers to burn to a fine ash, then add water until it's cold to the touch. Stir the campfire, add dirt if water is in short supply and make sure there's no more smoke. Failure to do so means even a short gust of wind could pick up a spark that could have disastrous consequences.

7. After your camping trip, wash your vehicle and all of your gear. This reduces the chances of an invasive species being spread to the next area you visit. Sometimes this importance of this step is minimized, but if you consider the tumbleweed is an invasive species-actually called Russian thistle-then you'll understand just how much of an impact a few errant seeds can make on an entire region, in this case America's southwest.

There's not much effort involved and the principle is much the same as you employ at at home. Leave it cleaner than you found it, use some common sense and do your utmost not to damage the surroundings, including flora and fauna. You wouldn't drive a stake into your backyard peach tree, so why would you do so in the forest to hang that lantern?

The key is respect. If the outdoors are part of your life, the odds are good you already have a respect for nature and probably religiously adhere to trail and wetland restrictions. Minimum-impact camping also means you respect the next camper to arrive, and more importantly, the generations of outdoorsmen we hope will follow.