Is this your first time camping, or first time camping with the family? You’re wondering “Are campgrounds safe?” “ What kind of weirdos will be near us?” “ Will any of them be dangerous?”
You’re not alone, it can be nerve-wracking camping somewhere you haven’t been before, leaving you feeling exposed to unknown dangers. It’s a question that’s been asked a thousand times and here we’ll discuss several ways you can be aware of what you’re walking into and stay safe while in camping in the campgrounds!
Are Campgrounds Safe?
Not all campgrounds are safe, but there are several simple ways to ensure you’ve chosen a safe campground so you know what will be awaiting you. One of the quickest and easiest ways is to check the Google Reviews of the campground you’re reserving.
The Different Aspects Campground Safety: Wild Animals to the Elements
Campground safety can mean many different things. it could mean safety from dangerous people. it could mean safety from Wild animals. it could mean safety from the elements, such as flash floods or falling trees. here we’ll discuss many of these aspects and leave you with a few things to keep in mind to take your mind off of worrying and keep yourself enjoying the Great Outdoors.
How Do I Choose a Safe Campsite?
One of the easiest ways to know if the campsite you’re reserving is safe is to check out the Google reviews online before you book The site. in the reviews sort by both “ most recent” and “ lowest review.”
Look for reviews with images and then pay attention to the dates of the images. you do have to take some reviews with the grain of salt however, because we don’t know who these reviewers are and we don’t know what they’re tolerance is for the outdoors.
For instance, someone might complain about wolves being right outside of their Campsite, when reality what they heard were a few domesticated dogs howling at a neighboring campground.
Another thing to keep in mind is the cost of the campsite. People that wish to do harm don’t often spend 15 to $30 a night for a campsite. If you’re paying for your site, it’s usually a safe bet that your neighbors are just like you, and just want a weekend of peace and relaxation too.
The easiest safe campsites to find are often State Parks and National Parks. This is true especially for beginners. These Parks are typically patrolled by Park Rangers checking on camper safety.
Their presence in the park is often a great deterrent at keeping unsavory people from causing trouble in the park. These parks are also often, but not always, in close proximity to neighboring towns. This means that there are often some emergency services relatively nearby if an emergency does occur.
For more general camping safety info, check out my article on Camping Alone Safely:
How Do I Know If My Campsite Is Safe?
A quick and easy way to know if your campsite is safe is by making simple visual observations when you arrive.. inspect your sights, is there trash and debris littered around the campgrounds? Is there graffiti on the picnic tables? Look in the restrooms, a few cobwebs and a stray lizard is one thing, but broken mirrors and damaged stalls are signs of a rowdy campground and ineffective or absent camp hosts or Park Rangers.
You’ll also want to look at the campground rules at the entrance of the grounds, and make some general observations about the other campers in the area.
For instance, a warning sign may be if campground rules state that all pets must be leashed at all times, but you see three unleashed dogs roaming the campground on their own.
Another red flag could be widespread generator use and a campground where no generators are permitted. Maybe you’re at a campground where no alcohol is allowed but people are freely displaying their open containers. A beer and a stealthy koozie is one thing, but being openly unruly, with no worry of recourse, can be a big red flag. If any of these are observed during daylight hours, they will likely all get worse during night time hours.
What Are Some Safety Tips for Campsites
The best advice for staying safe at the campsites is to trust your gut. If somebody is giving you an uneasy feeling, there is a reason behind it. You may not be able to express how or why, but that person is behaving in a way that you are not familiar with. Interacting with behaviors you are unfamiliar with in an unfamiliar location is never a great idea.
Some other tips:
- Know where in the campground or park you get decent cell reception
- Develop a lie to tell strangers if someone asks you your plans
- Make sure family/friends know your whereabouts back home
- Carry some sort of self defense item – I’ve always carried keychain pepper spray
- Keep a small first aid kit with you
- Bring along a portable power bank for emergency power to your cell phone
https://www.nps.gov/articles/camp-safety-during-your-stay.htm
Are Campgrounds Safe From Bears?
While bears and many other wildlife overwhelmingly avoid human contact, no campground should be deemed immune from bears. There are steps you can take to minimize your risk of bear encounters – and the vast majority of campers never have a dangerous bear encounter – but being “bear aware” is critical in bear country.
First, bears generally do not like to come in contact with humans. The ones that do, unfortunately have learned or been conditioned to associate humans with food.
This has occurred by people feeding bears from food taken from their backpacks, pockets, coolers, cars, etc. These bears are often relocated or destroyed by Park Rangers as they are a much larger risk to human safety than a bear you come across in the back country.
Because bears dislike human interactions, a great bear deterrent is by making your presence known. This can be done by playing music, talking at a normal volume, and making other normal noises like clanks of pots and pans, or shutting a car door.
Most State Park and National Park campgrounds are full of these normal human noises all year, so bears rarely wander into them and instead avoid the areas where humans are.
Some great bear safety tips related to bears in your campsite are:
- Never feed wild animals
- Do not cook in your tent or camper or car when in bear country
- Do not keep scented items (food or non-food) with you when you sleep
- If the campground has bear lockers for food or waste, use them
For more bear safety tips check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Bear Aware Page:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/bears
Conclusion
In conclusion, no campgrounds are immune to hazards, but there are several simple things you can do to keep yourself safe and to keep your trip enjoyable and memorable while relaxing in the great outdoors!
Happy camping!
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