Who is killing dispersed camping in North America?

The culprits are named Jerks & Company. And no, they are not a legally incorporated business, they are those camping folks that love leaving behind trashy campsites. 

Every person with a decent amount of experience camping in the United States has seen their deeds. Those jerks are the reason - or the excuse - behind the closing of many areas of dispersed camping. We've found these scumbags' trails in many places. Recently, we found a menacing sign from the Forest Service in a favorite dispersed campsite. 

Warning sign of possible campsite closing - Photo: Still Gravity.
Warning about the potential closing of a dispersed campsite - License our images here.

We're losing hope because only a few dirty jerks can ruin dispersed camping for everybody. And even if many conscious campers pick their smelly leftovers, it's impossible to get rid of this flu. 

The solution may be more patrolling by rangers plus hefty fines for the jerks. This is the only language they will understand. Education doesn't work, because like the saying goes,

Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.

But if someone in the "dirty wagon" wants to change for good, it's very easy. Let's start with five ideas. 

  1. Carry trash bags and use them. 
  2. Repack the food in small containers to remove bulky store boxes and wrappings.    
  3. Avoid disposable utensils - washing permanent stuff doesn't take long and won't generate waste. 
  4. Use a composter toilet or go primitive using biodegradable toilet paper - nothing is simpler than a 6-inch hole in the ground 100 feet from any waterway.
  5. If you find a dirty camp and the littering is light, pick it up and dispose later in a dumpster. Otherwise, mark the position and report the issue to the local ranger office. 

Do your part and save dispersed camping in our public lands. It's time to stop being a jerk. 

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