After spending
months cooped up inside due to our current public health crisis, more and
more of us are heading outdoors to enjoy some peace, tranquility and fresh
air.

So, this is a good time for a few reminders about how to keep
ourselves and our families safe and how to do our part to protect our
campgrounds, trails and other outdoor recreation facilities so they can be
enjoyed by generations to come.

The Recreate Responsibly Coalition is a
coalition of more than 700 nonprofits, outdoor businesses, and land managers
dedicated to protecting our natural landscapes. This diverse community was
brought together by love of the outdoors and a desire to help everyone
experience the benefits of nature safely during this public health crisis. To
achieve this goal, the coalition has developed seven steps for recreating
responsibly:

1. Know Before You Go. Check the
   status of the place you wish to visit. If it’s closed, don’t go. If it’s
   crowded, have a backup plan.
    
2. Practice Physical Distancing. Keep
   your group size small. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth and give
   others space. If you are sick, stay home.
    
3. Plan Ahead. Prepare for facilities
   to be closed, pack lunch and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a face
   covering.
    
4. Play It Safe. Slow down and choose
   lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury. Search and rescue
   operations and health care resources are both strained.
    
5. Explore Locally. Limit
   long-distance travel and make use of local RV parks and campgrounds, trails
   and public spaces. Be mindful of your impact on the communities you
   visit.
    
6. Leave No Trace. Respect all lands
   and waters, public and private, as well as Native and local communities. Take
   all your garbage with you or dispose of it properly in marked
   receptacles.
    
7. Build an Inclusive Outdoors. Be an
   active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for people of all
   identities and abilities.
    

There’s actually one more simple step you can take: Share your
commitment to #RecreateResponsibly
by using the hashtag on your social media to help spread the word about this
important initiative.

And the next time you’re looking for an RV park or campground
where you can recreate responsibly, visit GoCampingAmerica.com,
enter your destination, and you’ll soon be on your way to finding your next
adventure.