| If you are camping at a well traveled camping | | | | are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other |
| ground, there may be plenty of cleared out | | | | pests. Stay well back from flowing streams or |
| camping areas and amenities galore. In fact, you | | | | rivers. These could become a flash flood area |
| may be able to avoid most of the heavy work in | | | | during a heavy storm. |
| preparing a campsite. Many of today's | | | | Watch out for the shiny three leaf poison ivy, oak |
| well-traveled campsites include clothes lines and | | | | or sumac plants. Avoid these at all costs. No use |
| fire pits, nearby water, picnic tables and even a | | | | turning your camping experience into an itch filled |
| nearby bathroom facility. That's fine. But perhaps | | | | nightmare. If you are sensitive to the oily plant, |
| this year you intend to brave it a bit and go off | | | | make sure to pack the calamine lotion. |
| the beaten track, perhaps to an unfamiliar forest, | | | | Before setting up camp, inspect the area for |
| mountain or field. In this circumstance, you will find | | | | debris such as branches, vines, the |
| and build a nature campsite. | | | | aforementioned poison ivy, broken glass, cans or |
| There are several important considerations when | | | | other in-the-way items. Avoid traipsing or clearing |
| choosing a new camping area. First, choose a flat | | | | seedlings or wildflowers. |
| and relatively high area as much as possible. Avoid | | | | If you are going to build a cooking fire, make sure |
| low lying areas as they tend to become muddy | | | | you clear a wide circle. Leave absolutely no twigs |
| and even dangerous water traps during heavy | | | | or branches in the area. It only takes one flying |
| storms. Avoid setting your site in the middle of a | | | | spark to set a forest fire. We recommend using a |
| natural path. These tend to be well traveled by | | | | propane portable stove for fire free cooking. |
| not only hikers but animals too. You might not | | | | Respect your environment and leave the |
| want to be in their way. | | | | campsite much as you found it. Take along all |
| Look above you and avoid large overhanging | | | | refuse. And above all, take the time to truly |
| branches. Rotting branches could fall at anytime | | | | appreciate your camping or hiking experience. It's |
| especially during a storm. If it's a mountainous | | | | the best way to get close to nature and enjoy all |
| area, avoid sites with overhanging rocks. Don't set | | | | the satisfaction that the great outdoors can give. |
| up camp near swampy stagnant waters. These | | | | |