8 Basic Safety Tips for Camping in National Parks

Camping in a national park is American as apple pie and baseball. Whether camping in the wilds of Rocky Mountain National Park's backcountry, spending a night in a Yellowstone National Park drive-in campground, or indulging with hotel camping at the Grand Canyon, America's national parks are a family-affordable and memorable vacation. Following are 8 basic safety tips for camping in national parks.

Safety Tips for Camping in National Park Backcountry: Tell Someone
1. Secure a backcountry permit from the National Park Service ranger station, register at the trailhead and sign out when leaving. Park personnel check registration logs and will search if you are not due back on time. Be sure to tell someone where you're going and when you plan to return and always carry a cell phone for emergencies, since service can be surprisingly good.

Safety Tips for Camping in National Parks: Keep it Clean
2. Whether camping in the backcountry or a drive-in campground, similar safety tips apply such as camp in designated areas and cook downwind from the tent, you don't want to smell like something yummy at bedtime!

3. Try to stake the tent about 100 yards from water. Running water is usually a watering hole for animals, and avoid stagnant water as it may be breeding mosquitoes.

4. Prepare for animals ranging from raccoons to bears and determine beforehand if camping in bear country. When camping in national park bear country, using a bear canister to store food and other scented items such as deodorant, soap, lotions, repellent, and trash, may be required. The bear canister should be placed downwind from the campsite and concealed under a bush. Check with the appropriate national park to determine if a bear canister is required. Some parks like Yosemite National Park have campsites with limited food lockers, often called bear boxes.

5. When car camping, hide items within the car if a bear box is not available. Bears have been known to rip into cars to take food when visible. While tempting to bring a late night snack in the tent, don't do it! Bears have a keen sense of smell as do other critters that can be a nuisance.

6. If you packed it in pack it out and as the adage goes, take only photographs and leave only footprints. When car camping utilize trash and recycling containers. And when finding relief, be considerate and do it downwind from the campsite and away from water.

Safety Tips for Camping in National Parks: Hotel Camping
Hotel camping may be considered cheating but not all national park accommodations have modern luxuries of HBO and air conditioning so it's a bit like camping. Staying in national park lodging can be a welcomed treat after several nights in a tent.

7. When checking in, be sure the hotel clerk does not say your room number aloud so other guests can hear. If this happens, request another room. This prevents a potential predator from locating your room. Keep doors locked at all times and never open the door without verifying who it is.

8. Protect valuables and souvenirs when leaving for the day. During my experience working in a national park, a European family spent weeks touring the United States collecting newspapers and brochures as souvenirs. They unknowingly placed the collection by the trash and housekeeping inadvertently threw it away and the American souvenirs were never to be found.

The National Parks: America's Best Idea
This guide is not meant to discourage visitors from camping in national parks but enhance the experience through preparation and safety. The PBS documentary by Ken Burns called The National Parks: America's Best Idea is now available on DVD and Blu-ray and will generate a renewed interest in visiting and camping in national parks.

The articles "Safety Tips While Visiting National Parks" and "Black Bear Safety Tips When Camping in and Around State and National Parks or Forests" provide additional information for planning a safe national park experience.