Solid Ground | Planning an Eco-Camping Adventure
Your Home & Lifestyle Magazine
Nature presents endless inspiration evident in landscapes, sunsets, prairies, waterfalls, and the like. It draws us from our homes to find healing escapes in the forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and oceans. To benefit from these precious healing powers while preserving the outdoor spaces for future generations, consider approaching your summer adventures in an eco-friendly way; but that can be easier said than done. Whether planning an overnight hike or a long weekend at camp, it takes a conscious effort to do so sustainably. You can start practicing ways to leave no trace (or create minimal ecological impact) with these eco-camping tips and some sustainable essentials.
Choose a Campsite or Camper.
Whether you stay in a tent, cabin, or camper, there are options to make your travels more friendly to the environment. Generally speaking, tent camping has a smaller carbon footprint than RV camping. Regardless of where you rest your head, you can book an eco-friendly campsite. Sustainable practices campgrounds might employ are solar-powered amenities, recycling facilities, and compostable toilets. With RV camping, you can add your own lightweight solar panels to maximize green energy when off the grid and minimize gas usage when driving from one destination to the next.
Prepare the Basics.
Believe it or not, you can make a real difference just by preparing in advance. Utilize reusable water bottles, containers, utensils, plates, bowls, and other cooking items to reduce waste. Opt for do-it-yourself snacks and meals instead of on-the-go, single-use, plastic-wrapped goodies. Using a camp stove with sustainable fuels lowers carbon emissions.
Purchasing secondhand gear is another way to minimize waste. If you can’t find what you like at a thrift store or a used sporting goods outlet, consider renting gear locally or from sites such as www.outdoorsgeek.com. For long-term needs, invest in products made sustainably or with recycled materials. The same companies that offer those products, such as Patagonia and REI, often donate a percentage of their proceeds to environmental organizations.
Leave No Trace.
While exploring natural wonders, heed the well-worn motto “leave no trace.” Only examine and document (photograph, draw, etc.) the landscapes and animals you observe. Don’t forget that if you pack something in, pack it out. When nature calls, utilize toilet facilities if possible; otherwise, deposit waste in catholes dug six to eight inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails.
Campfire safety is more important than ever. Only host fires in designated pits and keep fires manageable. Put them out with water and wait at least forty-five minutes to make sure the embers are extinguished. Lastly, like a designated fire pit, travel and camp on durable surfaces such as maintained trails and designated campsites to help preserve delicate ecosystems.
“Leave nothing but footprints and take only memories” is a good rule of thumb when exploring the vastness of this beautiful planet. Combining that with some of the tips listed above, you can make an even larger impact, saving more of the awe-inspiring natural spaces for generations of eco-campers to come.
sustainable essentials.
Start your trip planning with the following tools, resources, and destinations.
Must-Pack Tools. Solar battery charger (for headlamps, phone, etc.); water filter (charcoal or UV light); cooking stove and fuel; mess kit with plates, bowls, and utensils; wash basin for kitchen; biodegradable soaps for kitchen and personal use; microfiber rags (instead of paper towels); small trash bags (to pack out what you packed in); cathole trowel.
Apps and Resources. Ecobnb is an accommodation network that respects nature, the economy, and the local communities; Bookdifferent.com is a social enterprise committed to improving travel—and the impact of the tourism industry—for a better, sustainable world; FairTrip helps travelers find and share local, authentic places while having a positive social and economic impact.
Bucket-List Locales. The parks and outfitters surrounding these pristine natural wonders offer educational programs and tours with sustainability in mind: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Banff National Park, Canada; Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho; The Appalachian Trail, Eastern US; Glacier National Park, Montana; Acadia National Park, Maine.
/ Written by Heidi Siefkas
Photography by Darrin Klimek/DigitalVision/Getty Images.