Safety in the National Forest

[Brantime]

Greetings All!

I have never actually camped in the National Forest Campgrounds, staying mostly in the State Parks or private facilities, and have a question for the collective group!

You hear all the time about how unsafe the National Forest/Park Campgrounds are from people that have never camped in them, and I wanted the TRUTH...and I can handle the truth, lol.

I know that everywhere you go, you must protect yourself by being smart, about camping spots, your gear, and your self.

Each year more and more reports about crime and violence against campers are reported on (in the newspaper and on TV)...

How do you guys feel about camping in areas such as these? Do you take any special precautions when camping in these types of campgrounds!

It really upsets me to think that we have to give up the most beautiful spots and some truelly breathtaking vistas because some are totally disrespectful of others!

As I get ready to start camping an extensive amount in the near future, should I rule out the NF/NP CG's?

Thanks!

[SpeakEasy]

First of all, I think you should make a big distinction between National FOREST and National PARK campgrounds. They are operated by two totally different federal agencies. The PARKs are run by the National Park Service, and they tend to get much more traffic than the FORESTS which are run by the USDA Forest Service. I have had much more experience camping in the National Parks than in the National Forests, so I'll speak about the parks. I have found the National Parks to be extremely safe. I have camped only in established campgrounds, sometimes known as "frontcountry" campgrounds. There have always been rangers and/or campground hosts very closeby, and they have been very responsive to any disturbances in the campgrounds. In fact, campgrounds in the National Parks are my favorite places to camp.

[ForestCreature]

We camp in both State and National Forests, both in and out of MI.  In all the years we haven't ever felt threatened or feared for our safety.  Many of the places we've camped are kind of out of the way tiny barely developed campgrounds. Probably to far to the beer store for most trouble makers to go to.

[CUL8R]

The majority of our camping is done at very remote forest service campgrounds here in Colorado.  We have never had a problem.  Of course the more negative reports that go around, the better!  It means less people and more vacancies!

This is from our campsite at a small remote NFS campground:

And this looking from the mountain back down at the lake and campground:

Jim

[Brantime]

The majority of our camping is done at very remote forest service campgrounds here in Colorado.  We have never had a problem.  Of course the more negative reports that go around, the better!  It means less people and more vacancies!

This is from our campsite at a small remote NFS campground:

And this looking from the mountain back down at the lake and campground:

Jim

I know exactly where these pictures are from...I love that area!

We spent a week just outside of CB when I was just out of HSchool camping, then my family and I went back and stayed for a week at Almont just a couple of years ago. We were all over that area, lol!

I also enjoyed our time around the Leadville area and Turquoise Lake, however, I think that one of the prettiest spots on the planet was Estes Park and the RMNP.

Thanks for sharing the photos and the memories, lol!

[abbear]

Interesting.  I have never felt threatened or unsafe in a state/national park/national forest campground.

On the other hand - I have felt unsafe in a private campground even after complaining to management about the situation.  We left that place.

I have never suffered a loss (knock on wood) camping but also realize that anyone can get into our tenting and so just don't leave anything there we can't afford to lose.

If media driven hysteria is your thing, though, Stay away.  As was said, 'More room for the rest of us!'

[Brantime]

Interesting.  I have never felt threatened or unsafe in a state/national park/national forest campground.

On the other hand - I have felt unsafe in a private campground even after complaining to management about the situation.  We left that place.

I have never suffered a loss (knock on wood) camping but also realize that anyone can get into our tenting and so just don't leave anything there we can't afford to lose.

If media driven hysteria is your thing, though, Stay away.  As was said, 'More room for the rest of us!'

Well,I hope that your response wasn't pointed at me, lol!

It doesn't have to be "media driven hysteria" as you put it, I just know what I see on the news or in the papers!

Just because you want to be away from the crowd, doesn't mean that you are safe, only vulnerable.

I only wrote to garner opinions (How do you guys feel about camping in areas such as these? Do you take any special precautions when camping in these types of campgrounds!)

I take my family with me so I do try and make sure I protect them to the best of my ability...and sometimes that is by using my brains!

Thanks for you imput...

[AustinBoston]

Each year more and more reports about crime and violence against campers are reported on (in the newspaper and on TV)...

A bit of thinking about this are in order.

I used to live in Boston, where they would pick up on a national story about some crime in a National Park or Forest.  The same crime might be committed 40 times a day in Boston, but not be reported.

Why?  Because crime in a National Park or Forest is uncommon.  Crime in Boston (or any other major metro area) is not uncommon.  Would you watch a news broadcast that listed off the 120 shoplifitings, 15 muggings, 25 A&B's, 19 break-ins, four home invasions, one rape and one murder that happened yestersay?  Of course not.  So they might mention the murder, and then spend ten minutes on the "rising danger" of crime in Monkey-Wrench National Forest, where two teen boys were robbed of their backpacks.  They would find an "expert" to interview, send a field crew out, and even report on how "terrified" the boys were.  You could count on it coming up at least three times in the coming weeks, as well.  

The media are seldom reliable places for perspective.  Profits urge them to blow things out of proportion.

Austin

[gypsy_soul]

If you're refering to the nut case down here in florida @ ocala NF, well that could have happened anywhere. My son and I have been camping (tent) in the the forests of New mexico and colorado for 20 years and I believe we only used a "campground" a few times when the kids were young. (Granted it was a primitive campground ouside of Alamogordo and very secluded.)  And now here in Florida, where I've been using the state parks/forest. But mostly I would just head out one of the forest roads and find a nice spot. I've never had a problem, well at least human, when I've done so. The designated campgrounds are more of a problem, peoples tv's or music. kids running around out of control, it's like being in wal-mart!

[Brantime]

gypsy_soul]If you're refering to the nut case down here in florida @ ocala NF, well that could have happened anywhere.

Hey gypsy!

Thanks for your imput on the subject!

I was not asking due to any particular or specific location! I just wanted to know if any of the POPUP group here took any extra precautions when  camping in the National Forest...

We have spent many weeks camping in the unimproved areas over the years and love the solitude! I haven't camped like this since I have had a family to take with me. We have staying mainly in the State Parks.

Thanks again!

[beacher]

While camping at a National Forest campground in the High Sierras, called Jackass Campground,  (no kidding), which by no coincidence whatsoever adjoins Jackass Meadow, we did take special precautions!

First, and most important, we brought flip-flops.  You see they have free hot showers that are fed by natural hot springs, but the bathhouses are kinda green and slimy with algae. Gotta protect those feet!!

Second, I purchased some D-Cell batteries for my Maglite after our first night there.  We had heard some scratching and bark falling from high up in a tree, but we couldn't see anything!!  Terror!  The next night we saw the racoons doing their thing!

See, there are some special precautions that must be taken sometimes!!

[kimrb266]

I prefer Nation Park campgrounds and our State Park campgrounds.  I have always felt safe with the Rangers on duty in the park.  At the busy parks and during peak seasons some of the Rangers are full peace officers and take care of business.

We haven't camped in the National Forest campgrounds because they tend to be out of the way and offer fewer facilities (with 3 little ones, we need facilites), and I don't believe there are too many Rangers close by.
 
Overall I feel pretty safe at most all campgrounds.

[deniski]

We mostly camp in USFS campgrounds in the forests of Montana.  The one time we had a bad experience was when a teenage beer party got out of hand..  In fact that one time was the only time we've SEEN a teenage beer party out in a NF campground....   Anyway, we didn't feel unsafe because law enforcement showed up and stayed there all night waiting for stragglers to stumble out of the trees and back into the camp to get their cars which the cops were sort of "babysitting".  ha ha.   Those were some really obnoxious kids!!  All kinds of obsenities being yelled at the cops, to the point where I was really glad I didn't have any little ones with me to hear it all.       That was the last time I will ever stay at a NF campground that is near a town on a national holiday!!  been there, done that, learned something.

[coulter]

I just joined so I could ask.. is this LOST LAKE? I have camped there several times and this certainly looks familiar.  

I live in Muggy Missouri but am a Colorado Camper at heart    I have camped all over the western United States at NFS campgrounds, NP campgrounds, State parks, etc. Never felt threatened in any way, and I am a female with kids that often travels without my husband.

The majority of our camping is done at very remote forest service campgrounds here in Colorado.  We have never had a problem.  Of course the more negative reports that go around, the better!  It means less people and more vacancies!

[CUL8R]

coulter,

Good memory!  that is indeed lost lake (actually the NFS campground is on Lost Lake Slough).  Lost lake and Dollar lake are a short hike away.  Very beautiful and peaceful.

Jim