Let's take a moment to talk about etiquette. Not the kind Ms. Manners taught you about placing your napkin on your lap, or not speaking with your mouth full. We're talking Adventure Etiquette, the unspoken code of conduct for: hiking, fishing, kayaking, jeeping, and all things outdoorsy. With so many activities, it's easy to forget proper etiquette for each. So let's break down some basics that apply to all adventures. Ready? Let's dive in!
PICK UP YOUR TRASH
It made the top of the list because it's the worst offense. Even if it’s not yours, picking up trash is crucial. Plastic — in particular, takes a whopping 1,000 years to decompose. Considering plastic was only patented for commercial use about 60 years ago, every bit ever created is still out there. Chilling in our rivers, oceans, lakes, and forests; choking out our native plants and wildlife. Don't be fooled by "natural" products, they often contain chemicals that Mother Nature can't break down. So, let's all do our part: pick up every bit of trash, recycle properly, and help keep our natural spaces pristine, for both us and the critters who call it home. No one, not human nor animal, likes living in a dump.
STAY ON TRAILS
Imagine you're hosting a party and someone barges into your bedroom. They jump on your bed, start eating your snacks, it’s rude. Right? Well, that's exactly how wildlife feels when you wander off designated trails. Staying on the path isn’t just about keeping your shoes clean; it's about respecting the homes of countless critters and preserving delicate ecosystems. Venturing off-trail can: trample plants, disrupt animal habitats, and even spread invasive species.
This rule is especially important for off-road enthusiasts. An inch of our tire destroys more vegitation and natural habitat than a 1000 hikers. Not to mention the impact on others in the community when you don't observe the Tread Lightly principles and get trails shut down. Which leads to more people going off trails and creating even more of an issue. In the words of South Park's Mr. Mackey, "It's bad.. mmmm kay".
So, for the sake of the plants, animals, and their tiny living room furniture. Stick to the trail. Mother Nature will thank you, so will the chipmunks who’d rather not have their homes squashed.
RESPECT OTHERS
You would think this was common sense, but it is baffling how some people distregard others. It is clear that common sense is not growing in everyones garden. Remember the world doesn't belong to you; it belongs to all of us, including the animals.
Make room on the trail, don’t walk through others' campsites, and just don’t be a general jerk. It’s easy to be kind, choose to be or go home. If you have ever been enjoying a lovely picnic, and a stranger plops down right next to you, unpacks their sardine sandwich, and starts chatting like you're old friends. You understand how awkward that is, right? Similar situations can occur when you're out hiking and camping. Personal space isn't just for city life; it's a courtesy that extends to the great outdoors.
As a kid, camping came with one major rule: have the time of your life, but keep the volume down, respect campsite boundaries, and don't be a nuisance to others. This lesson stuck with me into adulthood, and I still abide by it religiously. So, you can imagine my frustration when some clueless camper strolls through my site just to save themselves a few steps. It makes me want to set up a booby trap, sit back with some popcorn, and at least get some entertainment out of the whole thing!
Give fellow adventurers room to breathe, hike, and camp; without feeling like they're part of your group therapy session. Maintain a respectful distance on trails, don't invade campsites, and for the love of fresh air, keep your loud conversations and sardine sandwiches to yourself. Everyone will appreciate the space to enjoy nature in peace, and you'll avoid becoming the wilderness version of that awkward party guest.
TURN OFF YOUR MUSIC
Most people go outdoors to enjoy nature's sights and sounds, not your playlist. It's not limited to one type of activity; whether on hiking trails, rivers, or campgrounds, blasting music is annoying and can be dangerous. Imagine not hearing an approaching boat because someone's jamming out. Turning off your music while adventuring isn’t just about respecting others; it’s also about keeping wildlife calm. Your beats might be sick, but they could give the local deer a heart attack. And the local scurry of squirels (yes a group of squirrels is called a scurry), says your 80's ballads are beyond cringe. So, for the sake of preserving the peace and avoiding a dance-off with disgruntled hikers, or a scurry of squirrels, keep the tunes in your headphones. Trust us, the birds have got the soundtrack covered.
The only caveat I give to this peice of ettiquete is hiking with bears. When hiking in bear country, it's understandable that you don't want to accidentally sneak up on a bear—no one wants to be the surprise guest at that party. But blasting your music isn't your only option. Walking with purpose and making some noise is usually enough. After all, bears are twice more senstative to sound than us flesh sacks, and have a sense of smell that's 2,100 times better than ours too. Trust me, they'll know you're coming. While there's always a tiny chance of a surprise encounter, it's not worth ruining the peaceful vibe of the trail for everyone else. And hey, if fate does play a wild card, at least you'll have a memorable epitaph: "Here lies Tony, eaten by a bear because he was just too darn quiet."
MIND YOUR CROTCH GOBLINS (CHILDREN)
Taking kids under four on extended adventures is like bringing a goldfish to a marathon, nobody's having a good time. These little crotch goblins are too young to form core memories! So while you’re hoping they’ll cherish these moments; they’re more likely to just be cranky and uncomfortable. However, older children are a different story. They’re at the perfect age to soak up new sights, sounds, and textures. These experiences can ignite a lifelong love for nature. Plus, today’s young adventurers are tomorrow’s leaders. By exposing them to the great outdoors now, we're helping them understand the importance of preserving these precious places for future generations.
As the parent, or parents, chosen by the universe to shepherd these tiny creatures into adulthood, you bear the noble responsibility of instilling wisdom and respect in them. And if you've ever wondered if your fellow campers are silently judging you for the chaos your little chaos coordinators bring to the campground, rest assured: yes, yes we are. Don’t get me wrong—we get it. We've been there, trying to wrangle our own tiny tornadoes and praying that the lessons we taught them stick. Of course our little snack bandits and noise machines should be free to roam, and do what they do best. But there’s a time and a place for that—like your living room, a playground where other noise machines gather, or the middle of a national forest at a primitive camping spot. Developed campgrounds, hiking trails and other natural recreational areas, however, should be treated as a quiet sanctuary, where everyone can find a bit of peace...or at least not feel like they’re in the middle of a poorly managed daycare.
So, leave the toddlers at home with a babysitter and bring along the older kids; they’ll thank you (eventually). So will Mother Nature Remember to teach them to be polite, respect personal space, and that screaming has a time and place (hint: not in echoing canyons or neighboring camp sites). Help them appreciate nature and its importance.
PETS
Bringing your pet on an extended adventure is like taking your grandma to a rock concert. Great in theory, but a bit tricky in practice.
If your furry friend loves to sing the song of their people all night, consider leaving them at home. Midnight yodeling isn't appreciated by your fellow campers or the local wildlife. Remember, pets should never be left unattended and always kept on a leash — unless they're in a designated area. Our beloved critters are awesome adventure buddies, but they can get hot and dehydrated much faster than us fleshy humans. So, keep them close, hydrated, and well-behaved. So everyone will have a tail-waggin good time without the midnight serenades.
In Summary
Adventure Etiquette can be summed up like this: respect nature *and* the people trying to enjoy it. If you're out in the great outdoors, you're not just responsible for your own fun—you’re also responsible for not ruining it for everyone else. America’s natural areas are some of the best in the world, so let’s all do our part to keep them that way. Enjoy the beauty, embrace the adventure, and for the love of all things wild, don’t be *that* person who leaves a mess or turns a peaceful hike into a concert. Keep it classy out there and adventure forward.
Edited by: The Girl Child
LMAO Crotch Goblins!!!! YES! As a lover of all small things, children sometimes included, the thing that gets on my nerves the most are unruly children in a campground. It's great to see them out and having fun, but when they are screaming and running around with no regard to the people around them.... uuuuggghhh.