Proper Camping Etiquette

As a boy growing up in Denver I went on a lot of camping trips into various parts of the Rocky Mountains. My Dad and my Uncles taught me that as a camper I had certain responsibilities, camping etiquette if you will, that I needed to under stand and abide by.

In areas where there was no camping facilities provided, digging a latrine was always one of the first orders of business. It had to be far enough away from the campsite so that it could not be seen , it needed to be down wind if at all possible and away from any water source such as a river, stream or lake. It had to be 3ft deep or more and needed to have some type of cover when not in use and be clearly marked so that everyone knew where it was. If the latrine started to fill up it needed to be covered with dirt, patted down, covered with leaves and twigs and a new latrine dug in it's place.

The camping area always needed to be neat and tidy everything in it's proper place with no trash or clutter in the area. Any trash was to be put in proper plastic bags or containers.
When searching for firewood only trees and branches that were already completely dead could be gathered absolutely no cutting of live trees or branches for any purpose such as making a soft bed or shelter.

While walking through the woods if we came across another campsite, unless invited by the campers that were there,we were told to always walk around. My Dad and Uncles said it would be like walking into someones living room you didn't know unannounced. We were also told that if there were other campers close by to respect there privacy and keep the noise down.

Campfires were to be set up in designated area's or if not designated out in the open away from any trees or branches that might catch on fire. Also campfires were to be kept to a reasonable size and contained within a rock or metal fire pit.

Camp stoves and gas lanterns were to be kept out in the open away from tents or any other flammable items. Flammable liquids were also stored in one area away from anything that could spark a fire.

When it was time to leave the camping area all campfires were completely doused and re-doused until they were cold to the touch. The ashes and cold char coaled pieces of wood buried and the rock fire ring scatteredrnif we had put it there.

The latrines covered up and patted down then covered with loose leaves and twigs. Last but not least a thorough walk through the campsite by all the campers to insure that not even the smallest piece of micro trash was left behind.

My Dad and my Uncles always told us, when you leave a campsite no one should know you had ever been there.

Wouldn't it be something if every camper would follow these simple rules of camping etiquette.