National Park Rangers Are Tired of Seeing Campers Make These Mistakes

Brandon Lopes-Baca, superintendent of the Guadalupe River State Park/Honey Creek State Natural Area Complex, says new campers usually identify themselves quickly. “They’ll ask questions and be honest and transparent about, ‘I’ve never done this before.’ Folks are very honest, and that’s a good thing.”

He also sees first-timers arrive with gear that doesn’t match their reservation. “Sometimes we’ll see newer campers show up with a 40-foot-long trailer where it’s clear they haven’t done their research, especially when they’ve rented a space that won’t fit that trailer.”

Jenny Blackmon, LCRA Parks Manager, recommends that first-time campers start small and simply. “Start with a short trip and only pack the essentials.” She also recommends that newbie campers skip intricate meals, choose a less remote campsite, and not wait too late in the day to set up camp.

If you think trying to pet a wild animal is a good idea, maybe cool it with the Disney cartoons. Even if an animal doesn’t seem wild or brings cuddly vibes, resist the urge to pet, feed, or go in for the selfie. Amelia Gallina, park ranger at Grandfather Mountain State Park in Boone, North Carolina, reminds us to keep at least 75 feet away from wildlife, and even further for predators or larger animals like bears and bison.

“We also ask that you don’t feed the wildlife,” says Gallina, warning that wild animals shouldn’t become too comfortable with humans or rely on them as a food source. “Human food also isn’t part of their normal diet and can ultimately harm the health of the animals.”

Don’t lose situational awareness when snapping pictures of wildlife. Todd Walton with Yellowstone National Park Lodges says mishaps caused by people laser-focused on getting the perfect picture are more common than you think. “I’ve seen people blindly walk into the road and nearly get hit by a car, or try to walk on a thermal feature to get a photo.”

Unless you’re backcountry camping, what happens at your campground is seen and heard by neighboring campsites.

Lopes-Baca says being considerate is a big part of campground etiquette. “The quiet hours are important, but be considerate outside of designated quiet hours, too. Just because it’s two in the afternoon doesn’t mean you should blast your music.”

Other examples of bad campground etiquette include taking a shortcut through someone else’s campsite, using floodlights so bright your neighbors might assume an alien abduction is underway three sites over, or not properly supervising kids and pets. If you can’t solve disputes on your own, that’s what park rangers and hosts are there for.

A bear box is a sturdy, animal-resistant metal storage locker at campsites where campers keep food, toiletries, and other scented items so bears and other wildlife can’t get to them.

“Make sure you keep food secure!” Walton tells Fodor’s. “If bear boxes are at your site, use them.” He also warns campers to keep cooking equipment secure. It doesn’t do much good to lock up your food if your bacon grease-coated pan is hanging out at the campsite, saying, “Hey critters, here I am!”

Gallina cautions against using your car as a food storage spot in campgrounds where bears are present. “Bears can smell food in cars,” she explains. “And they’ve been known to get into the cars to get food out of them.”

In areas without bears, unsecured food can still attract smaller wildlife like raccoons, rodents, and birds. Lopes-Baca recommends coolers with an exterior lock.

Although you can camp in all types of weather, spending extended time outdoors during severe weather warrants extra preparation and planning, such as knowing what to do if there’s a flash flood or a storm that requires evacuation.

If you plan to hike in areas with significant elevation changes, be mindful of how temperatures can shift. Gallina says this is one of the most common and serious mistakes she sees at Grandfather Mountain. “Many people don’t realize that the top of the mountain can be 10-20 degrees colder than where they came from.”

She also notes that improper clothing can quickly become dangerous. “Dressing properly and wearing the proper footwear can be the difference between you hiking out and you getting carried out.”

Whether it’s your first or 101st camping trip, expectation management matters. Do your homework. Established campgrounds and parks have websites with detailed information about campsites and other facilities. If access to indoor plumbing and cell service is nonnegotiable, make sure you’re not assuming they’re available.

Gallina points out that many campgrounds are understaffed, which often leads to closures of amenities. She also says people go camping to get outside and be one with nature. “Indoor plumbing isn’t included in most nature experiences.”

Cabin camping or glamping might be a better fit for someone who wants more creature comforts while still enjoying the outdoors. That said, parks aren’t boutique hotels. You’ll have a better time if you’re not surprised by your rustic bathroom or a bring-your-own-bedding situation in campground lodging.

Sometimes camping mistakes look like bringing plenty of gear, just not the gear you’ll actually need. While there are certain things you absolutely don’t want to forget, like flashlight batteries and fire starters, resist the urge to pack without a plan.

Blackmon says overpacking is one of the most common mistakes she sees. “The more organized you can be with your plans, such as meals and activities, the better prepared you will be to only bring the essentials.”

She recommends focusing on practical gear instead of random “just in case” items. “Some people bring one flashlight for the trip, but that’s often not enough. I recommend also having a lantern to set on surfaces and a headlamp for cooking or other tasks that require both hands.”

Checking weather reports before your trip helps you prepare for changing conditions that can affect safety and comfort. Blackmon says failing to check conditions in advance can impact all aspects of planning, especially cooking.

“Fire safety is always a top concern here in Texas. Visitors should always check the burn ban status at the park where they are camping,” she tells Fodor’s.

And never assume. A burn ban usually means no campfires, but may also include restrictions on propane stoves, grills, or smoking.

The common thread across all of these conversations is preparation and consideration. Most campground rules aren’t there to ruin anyone’s fun. They’re there to protect wildlife, prevent accidents, and help everyone share the space a little more peacefully.

The good news is that most common camping mistakes are avoidable. Check the rules before you go, pack with intention, and be mindful of the people and environment around you so your trip is one you actually want to repeat. You want to come home with memories and funny stories, not something that goes down in history as the “most awful idea that ever was.”

Dalton Crane, park manager of Lake Cascade State Park in Idaho, says many new camper mistakes happen before the trip starts. He says one frequent issue with RV and trailer campers is assuming the power hookup is broken when the solution is often simple: Check the breakers. “The previous campers will turn the power completely off when they leave, and that can cause confusion for the next person. The good news is that it’s an easy fix.”

Crane also sees plenty of first-timers arrive with enough gear to outfit a small village, joking that some campers seem to have “pack[ed] up their whole house to bring camping.” Another painful rookie move: buying a bargain tent for one trip, snapping the poles during setup, then tossing the whole thing in the dumpster. A broken tent pole doesn’t always warrant scrapping the whole tent. Replacement parts are usually easy to find, although the problem can be avoided by buying better gear in the first place.