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Chances are if you love camping and value spending time outdoors, then you probably also care about the places where you recreate. Camping can be a great opportunity to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature, but it’s important to be mindful of our impact on the environment and our public lands whenever we spend time outside. Today I’m sharing my top sustainable camping tips to help make your next camping trip a little more environmentally friendly.

Keep in mind that the goal here to be more mindful and intentional when it comes to purchasing camping gear and making choices while out camping, not to be some perfect beacon of sustainability. Let these sustainable camping trips help guide your decision making. Sustainability is going to look different for everyone, so start where you’re at and remember that small choices add up.

Sustainable Camping Tips

1. Practice Low-Impact Camping

Growing up I was taught how to practice low-impact camping, which meant taking care to minimize my impact and Leave No Trace while camping. The second Leave No Trace principle, travel and camp on durable surfaces, encompasses the spirit of low-impact camping.

Choosing a good campsite is one of the most important things you can do to be a more sustainable camper. If you’re in a developed campground you will probably have a pad to set up your tent. If you’re dispersed camping or backpacking in a heavily trafficked area look for a previously disturbed site to make camp. If you’re in a remote backcountry location, try to move your tent each night to minimize the disturbance to the land.

When selecting a campsite try to camp 200 ft. from water sources, per Leave No Trace guidelines. Different areas may require you to camp a certain distance from water. While it may not always be possible to camp 200 ft. from water sources, keeping your distance helps prevent erosion, minimizes pollution, and allows wildlife to access the water source.

2. Prioritize Campfire Safety

If you want to have a campfire during your camping trip, then make sure to prioritize safety and sustainability. Always check for fire bans and restrictions before heading out. Even if campfires are allowed, seriously consider whether it’s appropriate to have one based on the conditions and where you’re camping.

If you’re going to have a wood campfire, make sure that you source firewood locally. When you transport firewood from different environments you run the risk of also transporting pests, fungus, and disease. While it may be tempting to bring wood from home, you can typically find locally sourced firewood near popular camping areas, or you can gather fallen branches and twigs from around your site.

When building a campfire, make sure to keep it small and under control. Never leave a campfire unattended. When it’s time to put out the fire, make sure that it’s out completely, which means stirring the ashes until they are cool to the touch.

I’m personally a huge proponent of using a propane fire pit instead of having a traditional wood campfire. Propane fire pits are safer, and arguably better for the environment. There are no sparks and you can easily turn it off completely, which drastically reduces the risk of wildfires compared to regular campfires. The amount of propane burned during a 1-2 hour fire is also very minimal. It’s a great piece of camping gear if you want a campfire without the hassle.

3. Shop For Used Camping Gear

One of the best ways to make your camping setup more sustainable is to purchase used camping gear. Not only can shopping for used gear help you save money, but it also provides an opportunity for you to breathe new life back into old gear and extend its lifespan. Quality camping gear is usually well made and can last for years (if not decades!), so it’s not hard to find used gear that is still in excellent condition.

Here are some places where you can shop for used gear:

• Your local used gear shop. If you’re visiting or live in Grand Junction, Colorado, I highly recommend checking out The Gear Junction on Main St. downtown.
• Online resale platforms like Geartrade, Ebay, and Facebook Marketplace.
• REI Resupply
• Patagonia Worn Wear
• The North Face Renewed

4. Create a Low-Waste Camp Kitchen Kit 

One of my top sustainable camping tips that can have a big impact is prioritizing a low-waste kitchen kit. This means keeping things in reusable containers rather than relying on disposables, and cleaning up properly at camp. Here are some ways to make a low-waste camp kitchen kit:

• Store condiments, oils, and spices in reusable containers.
• Avoid single-use products like paper plates, plastic cups, and disposable cutlery. Instead add tin or plastic plates, bowls, & sporks. 
• Prep meals or ingredients at home and pack in a reusable container.
• Carry water jugs and reusable water bottles. I typically bring a travel Berkey water filter on solo camping trips. Hot Tip: You can typically find filtered water available by the gallon at more grocery stores.

5. Poop Properly

When you’re camping it’s up to you to have a plan to manage human waste appropriately. If you’re camping in a campground then you will likely have some sort of bathroom available. However, if you’re dispersed camping there may or may not be bathrooms around. I’ve noticed that heavily trafficked dispersed camping areas in the western U.S. have begun to have more bathrooms available to concentrate the impacts from all of the use.

If a bathroom isn’t available the best practice to poop is going to depend on the area where you’re camping. In desert environments and popular areas the best practice is to pack out your human waste, either in a portable toilet or WAG bag.

In other environments and locations you can typically dig a cathole to go to the bathroom in. Before digging a cathole make sure you’re at least 200 ft. from trails and water sources. Dig a hole 6-8 in. deep and 4-6 in. in diameter and do your thing. Always pack out toilet paper and menstrual products. You can read more about camping or backpacking with your period HERE.

6. Leave it Better Than You Found It

If you go camping often enough (particularly dispersed camping) you’ll eventually stumble upon a campsite that has been trashed. If you want to be a mindful and sustainable camper, always leave your campsite better than you found it.  Make sure to pack a trash bag (or two) so you can not only pack out all of your trash (including your food scraps), but also any trash that might have been left behind by previous campers.

Leaving a campsite better than you found it also means being respectful of the plants and wildlife in the area. Don’t cut tree branches for firewood and make sure to store food properly so you don’t attract animals. Ultimately, try to minimize your impact while at camp and leave your campsite unblemished when you leave.

7. Clean & Repair Your Gear

One of the most underrated sustainable camping tips is to use your gear for its full lifespan before replacing or upgrading it. There’s always going to be cool new camping gear to buy, but most outdoor brands make high-quality camping gear that is made to last. Unless your needs change, you shouldn’t need to replace camping staples year after year.

Keeping your camping gear clean and storing it properly will also help it last longer. If you have down sleeping bags, then hang them up instead of keeping them compressed to keep the down fluffy. 

Also remember that camping gear is meant to be used, which means that eventual wear and tear or damage is inevitable. Try to make repairs by sewing rips or patching tears if a piece of gear otherwise has life left in it.

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