What not to do when camping

Rangers have a lot of responsibilities at National and State Parks and National Forests. When campers are responsible, this shouldn't have to be one of them. Our neighbors in the campground had a nice campfire going.

Then they left.

The ranger came by to check campsite registrations (they hadn't registered--strike 2.) and found the fire blazing (and firewood gathered from around the campground--strike3). She had to go get a couple of buckets of water to put it out.

And finally a shovel to stir it.

Next day, when we drove up to our campsite after a hike, we found the neighbors' big pickup parked across our site's driveway (strike 4). Traffic backed up while we waited for them to move it.

Later they left again. The fire was not blazing, but it still was smoldering. And their food on the table, bags of trash and cans, ice chests sitting out, (strikes 5-6-7) were an open invitation to "visitors." There were no bears in the campground this weekend, but we did see one up the canyon. That's not all that far.



 No matter what type of recreation you choose, please be responsible neighbors in the park, playfield, resort, or wherever.