Nature thanks you: Simple etiquette for responsible camping

Summer is here, which means camping season is in full swing! While we don’t want to give any cringe-worthy lectures, we do have a few suggestions for sharing the outdoors with others.

• Stick to designated campsites. Montana’s Yellowstone Country has a vast array of public and private campgrounds. Some have first-come-first-served spots, but most take reservations, which we highly recommend — camping is a popular activity around here!


• Stay in your lane. While it may be quicker to beeline through someone’s camp spot to get to the bathrooms, this is usually considered poor behavior.


• Keep it down. Most campgrounds have quiet hours that often range from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. While we agree that music is a universal language, there’s a right time and place to enjoy it, and it’s generally not while sharing a campground with others.


• Enjoy the night sky. Montana is not a highly populated state, which affords spectacular stargazing. Keep your camp lights off as much as possible, or point them down so you and your fellow campers can enjoy the view.


• Be aware of conditions. There’s a saying in Montana, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute, and it will change.” And while it’s funny, it’s true. Pack layers, watch the forecast and be prepared for inclement weather.


• Keep Fido on a leash. We understand that your furry friend may be fully under voice control, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have the urge to chase wildlife — or that another dog may want to chase him! Leashes keep your pup, wildlife and other people safe. (We have to say it: Please clean up after your pets!)


• Campfire safety. Everyone loves a good fire, complete with s’mores and all. Buying firewood locally is a good idea to avoid importing invasive species into the area. Be sure to drench the coals completely, don’t leave trash in the fire pit, and remember that aluminum doesn’t burn!


• Store food and trash properly. Bears, raccoons and other wildlife are attracted to smells. Keep coolers in your vehicle, never have food in your tent (or products with scents, e.g., sunscreen, lip balm or toothpaste); and if you’re in the backcountry, be sure to use bear boxes or hang your food from a tree at least 100 feet from your tent and 12 feet off the ground.


• Keep it clean. Leave your campsite clean, and please don’t do your dishes in bathroom facilities. Food clogs the drain, and nobody wants to look at your dinner scraps while washing their hands.

Most importantly, enjoy the experience. Let your hair get a little messy and your clothes a little dirty. Wave to your neighbors, pack your patience and remember what a gift Mother Nature is.

Happy camping!