12 Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Camping Trip—and How to Avoid Them

Never Leave a Trace

For every camper, all garbage and personal belongings should be picked up and packed up at the end of your trip, making sure that no damage is done to your surroundings. “The first rule of enjoying the outdoors is simple,” says camping gear expert Josh L., “leave only footprints and take only pictures.”

Stick to designated trails for exploring, don't cut trees for firewood, and visits to the loo should be done 200 feet from any water source and buried six inches deep. Remember to also take all snacks and food debris with you, too—it can harm wildlife.

Never Store Food Carelessly and Never Feed Wildlife

“Responsible food storage is one of the most important aspects of camping,” says wildlife expert Peter Gros, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild. “Even a single snack left out can attract curious visitors, and once animals associate campsites with easy meals, it puts both people and wildlife in danger.”

Food should never be left unattended, whether in the campfire, on a picnic table, or in your tent. Store all food in scent-proof bags or sealed containers and always keep food well away from your tent. Also, make sure to cook and dine at a distance from where you sleep so that lingering food odors don’t attract animals overnight.

Don't Toss Orange Peels or Apple Cores Into the Woods

“Pack out all food waste, even if it’s compostable,” says Mike Hillman, director of photo expeditions at Natural Habitat Adventures. The composting process itself is quite long and requires certain soil and humidity conditions to be met. In the meantime, your banana peel and apple cores could attract wildlife. Any food and food debris can harm them, create a dependency on humans, or lead to unsafe wildlife-human interactions and altercations.

Never Approach Animals—No Matter How Cute or Small

Consider the following mindset offered by Gros when you head out into the wilderness: “When camping, you are a visitor in their home. Respect all wildlife, no matter the size. Never try to touch or feed them, and teach kids to do the same.” Binoculars are recommended for enjoying wildlife sightseeing from a safe distance.

Never Skimp on a Quality Sleeping Pad

Cutting corners when it comes to your pad is not recommended, unless you are confident of its quality. “Invest in a high-quality sleeping pad rated for cold temps,” advises Hillman. “Your sleeping bag means nothing if the cold ground is sucking the heat out of your body.” But a good pad will insulate a cushion, guaranteeing a good night's sleep.

Avoid Strongly Scented Perfumes or Soaps

If you’re a perfume enthusiast, your camping trip might warrant an extra trip to the drugstore for some fragrance-free products. “Scented soaps, lotions, and deodorants can confuse and attract animals,” warns Gros, “especially bears, raccoons, and insects.”

According to Gros, bears specifically have an acute sense of smell and can mistake scents from toiletries for potential food sources. Consider switching to unscented products for the trip. If you do bring scented toiletries, Gros recommends treating them like food and storing them in airtight containers, bear-resistant canisters, or lockers away from the sleeping area.

Never Forget to Check the Weather

If it’s sunny outside of your home, that doesn’t mean it’s not raining in the mountains—so better not to skip the extra sweater or rain jacket when packing for your camping trip. “You should never forget about the weather when you take off to camp,” warns Josh. “Some very simple prep work can turn a rainy weekend into a great time.”

He recommends checking weather forecasts right before heading out to your camp site to ensure you are getting the most accurate information. The weather is fickle, and one never knows what lies around the corner. Consider adding a tarp to your packing list to enlist as an extra layer of waterproofing under your tent, and bring some dry clothes for the ride home.

Never Ignore Your Surroundings

"In the wild, you’re not just setting up in a beautiful landscape, you’re entering a living, breathing habitat," says Gros. Be careful not to pitch your tent on a game trail or near water sources, both of which are high-traffic zones for wildlife. "Many campers focus on the ground," says Gros, "but hazards can come from above too, like wasp nests or curious tree dwellers."

Pause and take in your surroundings before setting up camp. "Look for tracks, droppings, burrows, or any signs of recent animal activity," advises Gros. "Avoid dense brush where snakes may shelter and never camp close to berry patches or areas with strong food scents." It's also important to check for leaning dead trees or low-hanging branches that could collapse in intense wind. "An unstable branch or a raccoon nest above can ruin a peaceful night," Gros adds.

Never Disregard Your Neighbors

Always practice good campsite etiquette. “Respect quiet hours, don’t walk through other people’s campsites, and keep headlamps angled down at night,” advises Hillman.

Your belongings should be kept near your site, and your car should be parked in a way that won’t disrupt traffic. "Your camp neighbors deserve the same peaceful outing that you seek, so keep your site tidy and your music low," adds Josh.

Don't Forget to Stake Down the Tent

This one's especially essential: Staking down your tent is imperative for a safe camping experience. An unsecured tent could end up caught up in sudden strong overnight winds and get carried away into the wilderness or into a neighbor's, "so the first thing you should do when you set up the tent is to make sure the corners are securely staked out," advises Rebecca Troutner of The Researched Traveler.

Never Leave a Campfire Unattended

When tempted to take a walk under the stars, remember to douse your fire thoroughly until it’s cold to the touch before you leave the campsite. ”While it might seem like you can walk away from it for a bit, it only takes a minute for something unintended to happen,” cautions Troutner.

Don’t Forget to Unplug

Being tied to social media or checking your phone can be disruptive to an otherwise restful and reflective time in nature. It can also be an annoyance to your fellow campers who might be choosing to embrace nature while leaving technology behind. Go ahead and take that picture with the amazing view—but don’t block your fellow hiker’s path while doing so. And consider leaving it all aside while you are embracing the natural world, as it'll all be there when you power back on.

“Don’t be tied to your social media feed or always checking the latest news,” urges Troutner. For ultimate enjoyment, connection with friends, and relaxation, she recommends leaving your phone in the tent or the car.