When you spend a weekend with your friends riding your 4-wheelers, camping is often part of a long weekend of riding the trails. When camping, the optimum thing to strive for is to leave no trace-- that simply means that you leave the area the way it was when you got there. Showing no signs that you have ever been there.
You can do this by learning some basic principles when going camping. Plan your trip carefully, if you're staying on land managed by the National Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management in a particular state, talk to the rangers that manage that area, they can give you tips on the best places to stay, animals you might encounter, possible closures due to forest fire or other natural hazards and other good information that will increase the enjoyment of your camping outing.
If you're not riding your 4-wheelers and you decide to hike, stay on the trails and walk in a single file. This keeps everything, on each side of the trail, just as it was. Stay alert for any changes in the trail, such as rocks, sandy areas, mud or puddles of water.
Choose your campsite carefully. You want it to be at least 200 ft. from a water source and the trails. Your cooking area should be about 200 ft. from your sleeping area. Keep your garbage picked up at all times, it is easier to clean up if you put it away as it happens and additionally and garbage attracts forest critters, especially raccoons and bears. Most campers bring a sack in with them to pick up all refuse. Take the least amount of items that you leave you with garbage after use. If you see anything that does not belong, throw it away in a bag that you brought with you and take it out with you when you leave.
Leaving no trace camping is easy with a little preparation and you're leaving the campsite ready for the next person to enjoy!
