Did you know that over 40 million Americans will go camping at least once per year? Or that over 7 million Americans will go camping on Memorial Day weekend alone?

While becoming one with nature is a draw for many of us, camping comes with some inherent dangers that aren’t typical concerns in the cities and suburbs.

Sudden thunderstorms, unruly insects or animals, and health hazards like dehydration and altitude sickness can all put a serious damper on what should be a unique outdoor experience. Luckily there are ways to decrease the chances of camping dangers affecting your next trip.

Below you will find some tips and tricks to ensure your camping trips are safe, fun, and, most importantly, bear-free.

Overall Safety Tips

  • Travel with a companion. You don’t want to be by yourself in case of an emergency. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person. Include such details as the make, year, and license plate of your car, the equipment you’re bringing, the weather you’ve anticipated, and when you plan to return. If you are entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you are going into an unfamiliar area, take along someone who knows the room or at least speak with those who do before you set out. If an area is closed, do not go there. Know the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station ahead of time if an emergency does occur on your trip.
  • Be in good physical condition. Set a comfortable pace as you hike. A group trip should be designed for the weakest member of the group. If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your health care provider and get approval before departing. Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or hiking adventure. You may need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter, or give first aid. Practice your skills in advance. If your trip is strenuous, get into good physical condition before setting out. If you plan to climb or travel to high altitudes, make plans for proper acclimatization to the altitude.
  • Wear appropriate clothing for the trail conditions and season.
  • Be weather-wise. Keep an eye on current and predicted weather conditions. In this area, the weather can change very quickly. Know the signs of approaching storms or changing weather conditions. Avoid bare ridge tops, exposed places, lone trees, streams, and rocks during lightning storms. Find shelter in a densely forested area at a lower elevation. Even in the summer, exposure to wind and rain can result in hypothermia.
  • Learn basic first aid to know how to identify and treat injuries and illnesses. Carry a first aid kit with you. Learn how to identify the symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hypothermia, and dehydration, and know how to treat them.
  • Make camp before dark. Traveling after darkness has resulted in many accidents from falls, so travel only during daylight. Set up camp well away from the edge of cliffs, and learn the terrain during the day. If you have to leave camp after dark, stay in areas you have seen in daylight, go with a friend, and always use a good flashlight.
  • Think before you drink! No matter how clean or pure stream water looks, it’s likely to contain water-borne parasites and microorganisms that can cause discomfort and severe illness. Pack your water in, or purify through chemical treatment.

Outdoor Safety: Camping Tips

  • Pack a first aid kit. Your kit can prove invaluable if you or a group member suffers a cut, bee sting, or allergic reaction. Pack antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect repellent, bug spray, a snake bite kit, pain relievers, and sunscreen.
  • Bring emergency supplies. In addition, a first aid kit includes a map, compass, flashlight, knife, waterproof fire starter, personal shelter, whistle, warm clothing, high energy food, water, and insect protection.
  • Check for potential hazards. Check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees, and hazardous terrain.
  • Avoid areas of natural hazards. Check the land contour and look for potential trouble due to rain. Areas that could flood or become extremely muddy can pose a problem.
  • Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. Also, a site with trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts.
  • Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent the ignition of sparks, flames, and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent, and use a flashlight or battery-powered light instead.
  • Make sure your fires are always attended to. Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically – a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting the fire out, drown it with water, making sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Embers buried deep within the pile tend to reignite later.
  • Pitch your tent in a safe spot. Make sure your tent is made of a flame-retardant fabric and set up far enough away from the campfire. Keep insects out of your tent by closing the entrance quickly when entering or leaving.
  • Beware when encountering wildlife. To ward off bears, keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment, or utensils out in the open. Remember that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable – never feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night – many animals feed at night, and the use of a flashlight may warn them away.
  • Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you contact a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine to the affected area.

Outdoor Safety: If You Get Lost

  • Pay close attention to your surroundings and landmarks, and relate this to your location on a map.
  • Stay calm if you get lost. Panic is your greatest enemy. Try to remember how you got to your present location.
  • Trust your map and compass, and do not wander. If you are on a trail, don’t leave it.
  • Stay put if it is nightfall, if you are injured, or if you are near exhaustion.
  • As a last resort, follow a drainage or stream downhill, and this can be hard going but often lead to a trail or road.