We want you to be safe, and as a visitor to a national park, you're responsible for your own safety. Please remember to:
- Plan for your park visit—careful planning will prevent many safety issues.
- Research and learn about possible risks with the park environment and your camping trip before you go.
- Seek and listen to the information, advice, and warnings provided by park staff.
- Know your physical and mental limits.
- Take action by using good judgment, along with selecting the right equipment and supplies, to prevent any injuries during your visit.
Before the Trip
Safety considerations before you head outdoors to camp.
Upon Arrival
Now that you arrived, here is what you should do.
During Your Stay
What you should know about safety during your stay.
After the Trip
Just a few things to do now that the trip is over.
Other tips for staying safe while camping
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Having an open fire is often a key and enjoyable part of camping. The smell of woodsmoke and the pop and hiss of burning wood in a campfire brightens any night out in the woods, mountains, or beach. However, you want to make sure you control your fire, and not the other way around! Follow these simple guidelines to ensure you have a great time.
Camping - be it in the front or backcountry - often leaves you feeling grimy after a few days. Here are some tips to improve your camping hygiene, for everybody's sake.
- Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Junior Ranger - My Favorite Tree
- Locations: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Learn about how to hike safely and what to do if you get separated from your group. (You also get to name a tree!)
- Dinosaur National Monument
Plan Like a Park Ranger - Top Tips For Visiting Dinosaur
- Locations: Dinosaur National Monument
Plan like a Park Ranger - top tips for visiting Dinosaur National Monument.
Propane is often the fuel of choice for outdoor adventures, especially for portable camping stoves, lanterns and heaters. Learn more about safely using and disposing of single-use propane cylinders (DOT-39).
- Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Safe River Crossings
- Locations: Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Alaska's rivers are often remote, large, swift, and cold. Learn more about how to assess and safely cross rivers in wilderness.
Are you going to explore the great outdoors? Before you head out on your trip, find out if there are potable drinking water sources in the park and locations where water is available along your adventure. Learn about treating natural sources of water for drinking.
- Offices: Public Risk Management Program, Wildland Fire Program
It's important to enjoy the outdoors safely during fire season. Read about how you can stay safe on public lands during fire season.
Last updated: May 24, 2018