Camping and glamping sound like they should inherently be earth-wise travel ideas. When nature is the destination, it certainly seems that way! Yet with more and more folks flocking to the outdoors for safe and fun retreat and recreation, we all need to up our efforts at minimizing our ecological impact. Let’s keep glamping good for the earth by keeping a few simple things in mind. We bet you’re already doing most of these anyway.

LOCATION MATTERS

Meadows may seem like the idyllic backdrop for someone’s Sound Of Music dreams, but by setting up a tent in designated camping spots only, we can minimize impact on sensitive areas, preserving habitat and protecting ecological diversity. Not sure what’s safe and what isn’t? Make the location situation easy by booking a glamping vacation that’s already set up and waiting for you, with your glamping tent thoughtfully articulated to work within the environment that the tent host has offered to share.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Adhere to the 7 principles of leave no trace. Plan ahead. Whatever you bring with you, take it when you leave. Pack it in, pack it out. Use designated facilities or stations for personal care, cooking, and cleaning. Choose reusable containers, serving ware, cups, and utensils over disposable. Use earth-safe products for cleaning. When exploring outdoors, stick to marked paths. Respect wildlife and leave what you find where you found it. You get the idea. When we work with the world we’re in instead of against it, we all win.

BE FIRE SAFE

If you’ll be glamping through tent host accommodations, then you’ll be well-informed of what your campfire situation will be at the glampsite. Some locations simply won’t allow it (and with good reason). And if you do find yourself somewhere where a campfire can’t happen, you can recreate the romantic glow with solar-powered or rechargeable lights and lanterns. If you’ll be setting up your own glampsite, keep these things in mind when it comes to fire safety:

• Use a pre-established fire pit that’s been optimized for clearance. Or use a portable fire pit with a proper base, like this one from Solo Stove.

• Never leave a campfire unattended. Be ready to douse the fire at any time. Keep flames minimal.

• Be mindful of the materials you burn. Many campsites and glampsites recommend burning only seasoned firewood, rather than scavenging for downed limbs and other tinder nearby, which provide habitat and food for local insects and fungi.

GOOD FOR EARTH EATS

The easiest ways to make your glamping meals eco-friendly are these three things:

• Plan ahead in order to prevent food waste.

• Avoid single-use packaging.

• Go locavore by eating seasonal foods sourced locally. Hit up the farmers market and support the local community while minimizing the carbon footprint of your meals. Then be sure to store any provisions in reusable totes and coolers that have securely fitting lids so that you don’t invite the wildlife to dine with you!

BE WATER WISE

When planning ahead, know what the water availability will be like at your glampsite, whether hosted or going it on your own. Use refillable water jugs instead of purchasing water in plastic bottles. Make sure to keep your drinking water clearly labeled and separate from gray water that’s used only for things like rinsing dishes. And if you’ll be setting up your own glampsite, you’ll find that investing in a portable shower system will be your favorite accessory for helping with dishes and showers. This compact portable shower system by Geyster Systems uses less than 1 gallon of water and provides hot water in 5 minutes. Using less to do more not only takes it easy on our water supply (and yours if you’ve toted it in with you!), it also helps control where the cleaning happens, in order to keep any run-off out of nearby waterways.

MOST IMPORTANTLY …

Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but memories.