My Backyard: Responsible Campfire Relay

This past weekend a friend and I explored a new (to us) part of Colorado – North Park.

Situated in North Central Colorado, North Park touts many recreational claims to fame including the Moose-viewing capital of Colorado, as well as phenomenal fishing, hunting, camping and backpacking opportunities. The basin opens out northward into Wyoming, in the direction of flow of the North Platte. On the east side, it is rimmed by the Medicine Bow Mountains, the Never Summer Mountains and Rabbit Ears Range to the south, and the Park Range to the west. The continental divide rims the Park along the south and west. The best part of the area is probably the small population of recreationists (compared to many other parts of Colorado’s natural lands) that visit North Parks’ public lands. We did, however, come across this fire pit in the Routt National Forest on our second night of the trip.

The previous campers had apparently overestimated the amount of firewood needed for their evening enjoyment. After confirming campfires were allowed, we decided that we would have a fire that night. First, we picked out all the aluminum cans, glass bottles and tin foil to pack out in our garbage. Next, we removed the branches and started a small fire with the mission of burning all the existing wood to ash (more information on campfires and campfire alternatives can be found here: http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_5.php).

Here’s what the next person will find when they camp there:

Which would you rather find on your next camping trip?

Partnership Highlight: Jellystone Park Camp Resorts

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resorts™ provide a platform to teach RVers about Leave No Trace

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and the Jellystone Park™ system have forged a new partnership to reach hundreds of thousands of RVers and campers with Leave No Trace education. The partnership is part of a comprehensive effort to teach outdoor skills and ethics, as well as help make the critical connection between people and the outdoors.

In March, representatives from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics will provide a half-day workshop at Jellystone Park CARE Conference (Campground Association for Recreation Education). The workshop will focus on frontcountry skills and ethics as well as Leave No Trace activities for children. Over 80 recreation directors, campground owners and managers are expected to attend the hands-on session.

“The number of Americans who go camping is on the rise, thus the timing couldn’t be better,” according to Dana Watts, Leave No Trace’s Executive Director. “This unique partnership gives us the ability to extend the Leave No Trace program to all of the Jellystone Parks with the goal of integration into their visitor programs.”

She adds, “The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics continues to work to broaden its scope and views the RV community as an important audience to reach with Leave No Trace education. Our partnership with Jellystone Parks will provide many wonderful opportunities to work with outdoor enthusiasts who travel and camp in RVs. What better time and place to introduce people to Leave No Trace than at Jellystone Parks while families and friends enjoy the outdoors together.”

About Jellystone Parks

Launched in 1969, the Jellystone Park system is now the second largest chain of campgrounds in the United States with more than 70 campgrounds in 15,000 campsites in 27 states and Canada. The Yogi Bear Jellystone Parks are franchised through Leisure Systems, Inc. (LSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Park River Corporation. For more information about Jellystone Parks, visit: www.campjellystone.com

Car Camping in Style

For some it’s the smell of a campfire. For others, it’s sleeping under the stars. And, for others it’s simply being outside for a night. In 2007, more than 60 million people went car camping in the U.S. These people stayed at state parks, private campgrounds, national parks, US Forest Service campgrounds and everywhere in between. For many, car camping is the preferred way to enjoy the out-of-doors.

There are many reasons that car camping is so popular in the U.S. For starters, it’s relatively easy when compared to backpacking–you can take fresh food, coolers, large camp stoves, barbeque grills, hammocks, sun shelters, games, pets, folding camp chairs, etc. Additionally, developed campgrounds generally offer trashcans or dumpsters, bathrooms, washing facilities, picnic tables, flat tent pads and even electricity in some locations. Another reason is that many car camping areas are close to home and easily accessible. Finally, car camping is something that the whole family can enjoy together.

Fortunately, car camping makes it easy to camp in style while minimizing impact. Here are a few things to keep in mind on your next car camping trip for Leaving No Trace:

Know Before You Go – Decide where you want to go–trips close to home are usually easiest. The US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service and most state parks offer many car camping opportunities. Some designated campgrounds are very developed (showers, laundry, hot tubs, etc.) and other areas quite primitive (pit toilets, no running water, very few if any amenities, etc.) Visit http://www.reserveamerica.com/ or http://www.recreation.gov to find and reserve a site that meets your needs. Borrow or purchase some basic gear if you don’t already have it: tent, sleeping bag, pad, stove, lantern, etc. Be sure to bring all other items you’ll need to ensure a comfortable stay. Also find out if there are any special regulations for the area or campground you’ll be visiting.

Overnight Right – Many designated campsites offer tent pads or other areas that are well suited for tents. Use these areas. If no designated tent sites exist, put your tent site and kitchen site on the most durable surface available: gravel, bare ground, rock, etc. Consider putting a tarp down in your kitchen area to catch food and trash which can then be easily put into the trash. When traveling around campgrounds, to and from the bathhouse for example, use established paths.

Trash Your Trash – If trashcans are provided, use them. If not, take your trash back home with you so you can dispose of it properly. Burning trash is highly discouraged and burying trash is never in style.

Where’s the Bathroom? – Should your chosen campground have toilet facilities, use them. If not, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water sources. Be sure to pick up after your pet too. Use a plastic grocery bag or newspaper bag and toss pet waste in the trash or pack it out.

Leave It As You Find it – Remember that other campers will likely visit your site in the future. Leave the site in a condition that others can enjoy.

Be Careful with Fire – Camp stoves are generally much easier to cook on than fires, and they are safer and create less impact. If you do want to have a fire, make sure it’s permitted and safe. Use existing fire rings and keep your fire small. Remember, a campfire isn’t a trashcan so pack out or throw away your trash. Before gathering any firewood in a campground, make sure it’s allowed.

Keep Wildlife Wild – Securely store all your food when car camping. In many locations this means in your car. Check with rangers or campground host about proper food storage. Remember, feeding wildlife is unhealthy for them and starts bad habits.

Share Our Campgrounds – Be considerate of other campers by adhering to campground rules, keeping your pet under control and by being a good neighbor.

These simple tips will make easy to Leave No Trace of your next car camping adventure.