Campground Guide - San Juan Mountains Association

Campground Guide
Southwestern Colorado Public Lands
This guide provides information on National Forest and Bureau of Land Management campgrounds
and day-use areas in southwestern Colorado. The map, table, and descriptions inside will help you
learn more about these facilities and the amenities they offer.
Facilities
Camping
Most of the campgrounds and picnic areas in
this guide have tables, fire grates, and centrally
located toilets. Some offer a more primitive
experience, while others have modern
conveniences.
Campgrounds open when sites are snow free,
with full operation from about Memorial Day
to after Labor Day. Some stay open longer, with
reduced services and fees. The most popular
campgrounds tend to be near larger lakes, major
highways and communities; these are often full on
Partnering with the USDA Forest Service since 1975
Partnering
with the USDA
summer weekends and holidays. Campgrounds are Rocky Mountain Recreation
Company has been a leader in the managed
Forest
since 1975
for 30Service
years, providing
management services to
intended to be temporary sites for vacationers, with recreation industry
a time limit on stays. Most permit 14 days. A few campgrounds, marinas, day use areas and other recreation sites for Federal,
State and Rocky
Local Agencies.
OurRecreation
mission at Company
Rocky Mountain
Recreation is to
National Forest sites allow up to 28 days.
Mountain
has been
Campground roads and parking areas are
usually gravel; a few are paved. Most, but not
all, offer drinking water. At some, you must
remove your own trash; others offer trash service
or sanitary dumping stations. A few provide
electrical hookups for recreational vehicles.
Many offer universally accessible (barrier-free)
picnic tables, fire grates, and restrooms.
Fee campgrounds have campground hosts on
site or self-serve registration and fee-payment
stations at entrances, where regulations and
information are posted. Prices range from
$10 – $30 for individual sites (double sites
cost more), and $50 – $175 for group sites.
USFS fee campgrounds are run by private
concessionaires under permit.
optimize the recreation potential of our natural environment while
a leader in the managed recreation industry for
preserving
the inherent characteristics of the area, and to offer our guests the
Individual campsites can accommodate up to
30 years,
providing
services
to and memorable
service,
ensuringmanagement
they leave with
a positive
eight people and two vehicles. Some campgrounds best customer
campgrounds,
marinas,
day
use
areas
and
other
experience,
thus
“creating
positive
memories”.
allow you to pay extra for an additional vehicle.
Our
staff
will
be
happy
to
use
our
decades
of
managerial
recreation sites for Federal, State and Localexperience to ensure
Group campsites vary in how many people they
you and your
family enjoy
camping
or boating
experience you are looking
Agencies.
Ourthe
mission
at Rocky
Mountain
can accommodate, as do group picnic sites. Check
for. From our headquarters in Southern California, our goal is to provide a
Recreation is to optimize the recreation potential
with campground hosts or our offices listed on back
clean, safe and enjoyable place for you to enjoy the outdoors.
of ourVisit
natural
while preserving the
us atenvironment
www.rockymountainrec.com
inherent characteristics
of the area, and to offer
(800)416-6992
our guests the best customer service, ensuring
they leave with a positive and memorable
experience, thus “creating positive memories”.
Our staff will be happy to use our decades of
managerial experience to ensure you and your
family enjoy the camping or boating experience
you are looking for. From our headquarters in
Southern California, our goal is to provide a
clean, safe and enjoyable place for you to enjoy
the outdoors.
for more information. Some campgrounds offer
campfire programs in summer.
Contact the San Juan Public Lands Center at
970-247-4874 or info@sjma.org or more
information.
Advance Reservations
Advance reservations for many of the facilities described in this guide are available through the National
Recreation Reservation System. Information on which campsites and picnic sites may be reserved can be
found inside.
Visit us at
www.rockymountainrec.com
(800)416-6992
Reservations can be made up to 240 days in advance for individual sites, and up to 360 days in advance
for group sites. You may pay by credit card over the phone or on-line. In addition to a camping fee, a
non-refundable reservation fee is charged. Changes, no-shows and cancellations are subject to service fees.
TO BOOK RESERVATIONS:
Call toll-free 877-444-6777; TDD 877-833-6777,
or go to www.recreation.gov,
For customer service, call 888-448-1474.
Dispersed Camping
Camping outside of campgrounds is usually
allowed, but you’ll find some areas posted as closed.
In popular areas, dispersed sites have toilets or fire
grates. To avoid damaging vegetation, camp in
already used areas. Never level a site or dig trenches;
instead pick a level site with good drainage.
• Refer to the appropriate Motorized Vehicle Use
Map (MVUM) for more specific dispersed
camping requirements, including where it is
allowed and what motor vehicle use is legal to
access the camp area. MVUMs are available free
from most San Juan NF offices.
• Keep vehicles within 300 feet of any Forest
system roads, but only do so without causing
resource damage.
• Wherever possible, locate your site 100’ from
water.
• You cannot camp more than 14 days in any one
spot in the backcountry.
• Pack out all trash.
Special thanks to Rocky Mountain
Recreation Company,
campground concessionaire for the
San Juan National Forest, for funding the
printing of this guide.
This Publication is created for you by San Juan Mountains Association.
The San Juan Mountains Association can get you involved in helping the agencies manage the
natural environment of the San Juans. As a nonprofit partner with the USFS and BLM, our
mission is to promote and provide education, interpretation, information, and conservation of
cultural and natural resources. Programs and volunteer opportunities include:
EDUCATION
• Community Lectures
• Workshops and Field
Seminars
• Cultural Site Stewardship
• Guided Nature Walks
CONSERVATION
• Leave No Trace and Tread
Lightly! Training
• Public/Private Partnerships
• Volunteer Services
• Adopt-A-Road Program
INTERPRETATION/
INFORMATION
• Visitor Information
Specialists
• Wilderness Information
Specialists
• Ghost Riders
• Books and Maps, etc.
Visit us at SJMA.org
The San Juan Mountains Association is a nonprofit
501 (c)3 equal opportunity service provider. For more
information on membership or to purchase area maps
and books, please call 970-247-4874 or visit our
website at: www.sjma.org
Edition 16/0430
Dolores
Public Lands Campgrounds & Day Use Areas
Our
Unc NF
Unc NF
San Miguel County
Uncompahgre NF
12
504
DOLORES
CANYON
OVERLOOK
Dove Creek
7
!
A
!
DUNTON
GUARD STATION
Groundhog
Reservoir
514
Dolores
County
31
"
)
7
!
3
535
BURRO
BRIDGE
RICO INFORMATION
STATION
38
)
"
7
!
MAVREESO
9
LOWRY
PUEBLO
10
7
FERRIS
DD
£
¤
491
21
)
"
8
McPhee
Reservoir
578
Rico
145
Electra
Lake
HOUSE
CREEK
"
1
27
"
JERSEY JIM
LOOKOUT SITE
31
ASPEN GUARD
STATION
"
ANASAZI HERITAGE
CENTER
Montezuma
County
BLM
Private Land
National Forest
Other District
@
!
Dolores
DOLORES PUBLIC
LANDS CENTER
1
56
A
!
"
14
TRANSFER
"
)
124
Summit
Reservoir
Cortez
7
!
HERMOSA
CREEK
WILDERNESS
¬
«
184
Mancos
£
¤
160
)
"
La Plata
County
13
8
0
2.5
5
16
Kilometers
Miles
10
MDR 3/16/2015
Mancos-Dolores
Key
Name
Ranger District Location
Map
1
2
San Juan National Forest
491
160
Vicinity Map
Legend
"
!
A
7
!
Anasazi Heritage Center 10 mi. N of Cortez
7000’
5
WORK CENTER/OTHER
? ADMIN OFFICE/COMPOUND
!
Wilderness
Tres Rios
County Boundary
Transportation
Bradfield
37 mi. N or Cortez
National
Field Office
US Highway16
Road
1606500’
£
"
¤
) County Road 1 groupAdjacent
Forest Boundary
¬
«
151
State Highway
9100’ 14
629
UNC NF
National Forest
System Road
3
Burro Bridge
37 mi. NE of Dolores
4
Box Elder
6 mi. E of Dove Creek
6500’ 11
5
Cayton
6 mi. N of Rico
9400’ 27
6
Dolores Overlook
7 mi. NW of Dove Creek 6500’ 3
7
Ferris
37 mi. NW of Dolores
6600’ 7
8
House Creek
12 mi. NW of Dolores
7000’ 65
9
Lowery Pueblo
Picnic Area
9 mi. W of
Pleasant View
6700’
10
Mavreeso
20 mi. NE of Dolores
7700’ 19
11
McPhee
8 mi. W of Mancos
7400’ 76
12
Mountain Sheep Point
5 mi. N of Dove Creek
6500’
13
Target Tree
7 mi. E of Mancos
7800’ 25
1
14
Transfer
11 mi. NE of Mancos
8900’ 12
1
15
West Dolores
21 mi. NE of Dolores
7700’ 18
Major Water Body
Municipality
Services
Forest Boundary
National Monument
250
Trail
240
Mesa Verde National Park
Camp Group PicnicRECREATION
Reserve
Administrative or Recreation Facility
SITE RV Size
Elev.
Sites
Sites
Sites
Sites
Administrative
Boundaries
PUBLIC
LANDS
CENTER
LOOKOUT
@
!
Bureau of Land Management
"
)
Durango
£
¤
£
¤
Lemon
Reservoir
252
TARGET TREE
Ranger District Division
Columbine Ranger District
45’
35’
Pagosa Ranger District
Mancos/Dolores Ranger District
Non-National Forest Land
Bureau of Land Management
Uncompahgre NF
Gunnison NF
Rio Grande NF
UTAH
4
"
)
250
42
"
)
"
0
WEMINUC
¬
«
11 MCPHEE
7
!
)
"
MCPHEE RECREATION 1
AREA
25
"
)
CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS
NATIONAL MONUMENT
San Juan
County
CAYTON
"
"
)
Hovenweep
National Monument
"
WEST DOLORES
15
526
"
"
"
5
3
78
2
"
504
550
"
BRADFIELD
S
"
)
16
)
"
£
¤
LIZARD HEAD
WILDERNESS
GLADE
GUARD 497
STATION
BENCHMARK
LOOKOUT
6
"
49
3
MOUNTAIN
SHEEP
POINT
4
"
07
1
BOXELDER
PAGOSA
RANGER
DISTRICT
SAN
JUAN
MANCOS-DOLORES
RANGER
DISTRICT
COLORA DO
NF
COLUMBINE
RANGER
DISTRICT
NEW MEXICO
approx. 300 miles southwest from Denver
Carson NF
Not
Advisable
16
5
50’
0’
45’
2
2
35
50’
12
35’
2 group 50
50’
7
2
2
45’
1 group
2
45’
10
35’
Campground Rules
OBEY “QUIET TIME”
Please be a good neighbor in campgrounds. Don’t make loud noises,
especially at night. Posted quiet hours are typically from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. At
other hours during the day, limit the use of generators to no more than one
hour at a time. Drive slowly through campground loops and watch closely
for pedestrians.
CAMPFIRES
Campfires are only allowed in fire grates at campsites, and firewood must
fit inside the metal ring. When no one is physically attending a campfire, it
must be put out completely. Pour water on the fire and stir ashes until they
are cool with no smoke. Be aware of any fire restrictions in effect. These
should be posted at the campground entrance.
OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLES
Motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, etc. cannot be used inside campgrounds, except
to travel between your campsite and locations outside the campground;
however, their use may not be allowed on county roads.
TRASH
Use trash receptacles in campgrounds. Some primitive campgrounds require
you to pack out your own trash. Do not burn trash - many materials will
not burn to ash. Leave a clean campsite when you depart. Follow bear-safety
regulations under “Store Food Properly.”
HORSES AND PACK STOCK
Most campgrounds do not allow horses or pack stock. Those camping with
horses should seek out campgrounds with facilities listed in this guide that
specifically accommodate pack stock.
DOGS ON LEASH
Dogs must be leashed or otherwise physically restrained in campgrounds.
Do not allow pets to harass other visitors, dogs, or wildlife. Do not leave pets
unattended. Control barking. Must be under voice command.
PROTECT VEGETATION
Do not break limbs, drive nails or carve into bark of trees or shrubs. This
allows insects and disease to enter and can weaken or kill trees. Walk on paths
and roads to keep grass and plants alive. Leave wildflowers for others to enjoy.
Bring firewood with you or check with campground hosts. Collect only dead
wood lying on the ground.
SHOOTING FIREARMS in campgrounds is prohibited.
Columbine
Uncompahgre NF
Public Lands Campgrounds & Day Use Areas
Columbine
Be Ranger
Careful
with Fire
District
San Miguel
County
San Juan National Forest
Gunnison NF
£
¤
Southwestern Colorado may look lush and
green, but Legend
this is arid country that can be
? SILVERTON
!
19
Rio Grande NF
VISITOR CENTER
dangerously
Administrative Facility dry in summer or fall. Be careful
SOUTH MINERAL
with fire – a spark, !
a puff of wind and nearby
@
!
A
LITTLE MOLAS
flammable
materials
?
!
7can combine to cause
!
ANDREWS LAKE 9
disaster
before
you
know it.
Transportation
1
£
"
¤
) fire restrictions, as
•
If
there
are
current
Rico
¬
«
Hinsdale County
a public notice, they will be posted
San Juan
WEMINUCHE
Recreation Sites
WILDERNESS
County
at campground entrances, Forest
ENGINEER MTN
WILLIAMS CREEK
7
GUARD STATION !
entrance signs and trailheads. Check
Administrative Boundaries
17
with campground hosts or with
SIG CREEK
GRANITE PEAK
district offices.
GUARD STATION
WEMINUCHE
7
!
• In campgrounds, campfires are allowed
WILDERNESS
Electra
Emerald
only within a fire grate, and firewood
Lake
Lake
HAVILAND LAKE
must fit inside the metal ring.
HERMOSA
6
CREEK
CHRIS PARK
•
If
camping in the backcountry, don’t
WILDERNESS
3
build
new fire rings/fire pits - use a
Williams Crk
Reservoir
VALLECITO
camp stove or an existing fire ring/
LOWER
TRANSFER PARK 20
HERMOSA
21
fire pit. Fire rings/fire pits scar
PINE RIVER
VALLECITO
10
4
WORK CENTER
the scenery and sterilize the soil
FLORIDA
16
"
)
7
!
11
MILLER CREEK
beneath. Don’t build a fire beneath
)
"
"
)
MOUNTAIN
Vallecito
Lemon
15 MIDDLE
)
"
PINE POINT
12
overhanging branches.
Reservoir
Reservoir
Archuleta
8 KROEGER
5 GRAHAM CREEK
EAST ANIMAS
ANIMAS
•
Regulations
require fires be put out
County
OVERLOOK
14 13 NORTH CANYON
18 SNOWSLIDE
2 !
7
"
) "
OLD TIMERS
)
completely every time you leave camp
JUNCTION
CREEK 7
or go
bed.
Pour
water over ashes and
Major
Gridto
tics
= 5 mile
interval
"
)
Minor Grid tics = 1 mile interval
stir
until
cold.
Stir
wet ashes until there
"
)
La Plata
SAN JUAN PUBLIC
is
no
smoke
or
heat.
County
LANDS CENTER
£
¤
£
¤
629.B
• Do not burn trash. Some items are
@
!
Vicinity Map
Bayfield
Durango
harmful to the environment. Plastics
COLUMBINE
¬
«
DISTRICT OFFICE
and tin will not burn to ash, and the
7
!
£
¤
?
!
COLE RANCH
BLM
Private Land
resulting debris is messy and difficult to
SAN
756
National Forest Other District £
clean up. J U A N
¤
CHIMNEY ROCK
NF
NATIONAL
• Do not park hot vehicles over dry grass.
0
4
8
16
MONUMENT
¬
«
¬
«
7
Kilometers
53
• Never toss cigarette butts - extinguish
Miles
¬
Ignacio
"
«
)
0
2.5
5
10
and dispose of safely.
550
LIZARD HEAD
"
Silverton
783
"
PUBLIC LANDS CENTER
LOOKOUT
ADMIN OFFICE/COMPOUND
WORK CENTER/OTHER
578
"
Road
160
US Highway
250
Trail
151
State Highway
629
County Road
National Forest
System Road
"
"
Forest Boundary
National Monument
¬
«
145
Ranger District Division
Wilderness
Columbine Ranger District
County Boundary
UNC NF
Pagosa Ranger District
Adjacent National
Forest Boundary
Major Water Body
Mancos/Dolores Ranger District
Non-National Forest Land
Bureau of Land Management
R
Municipality
RIV
E
"
PIN
E
"
"
"
"
"
124
"
602
1
17
250
201
252
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
501
631
243
"
"
240
204
MDR 3/27/2015
160
6
62
629
160
140
Uncompahgre NF
Gunnison NF
160
Rio Grande NF
UTAH
PAGOSA
RANGER
DISTRICT
550
172
MANCOS-DOLORES
RANGER
DISTRICT
521
COLORA DO
151
334
NEW MEXICO
approx. 300 miles southwest from Denver
Key
Map
Name
Location
Elev.
1
Andrews Lake
37 mi. N of Durango
10,800’
4
2
Animas Overlook
11 mi. N of Durango
9000’
4
3
Chris Park
18 mi. N of Durango
7900’
4
Florida
22 mi. NE of Durango
8300’
20
5
Graham Creek
18 mi. N of Bayfield
7700’
25
6
Haviland Lake
18 mi. N of Durango
8100’
43
5
7
Junction Creek
5 mi. NW of Durango
7300’
46
8
Kroeger
18 mi. NW of Durango
8900’
10
25’
9
Little Molas
4 mi. SW of Silverton
10,900’ 10
35’
10
Lower Hermosa
14 mi. NW of Durango
7700’
19
30’
11
Middle Mountain
23 mi. N of Bayfield
7700’
24
35’
12
Miller Creek
18 mi. NE of Durango
8200’
12
13
North Canyon
19 mi. NW of Bayfield
7700’
21
14
Old Timers
16 mi. N of Bayfield
7700’
15
Pine Point
20 mi. N of Bayfield
7700’
30
16
Pine River
27 mi. N of Bayfield
8100’
6
16’
17
Sig Creek
32 mi. N of Durango
9200’
9
25’
18
Snowslide
18 mi. NW of Durango
8800’
13
35’
19
South Mineral
7 mi. W of Silverton
9800’
26
35’
20
Transfer Park
23 mi. NE of Durango
8500’
25
35’
21
Vallecito
22 mi. N of Bayfield
7900’
80
Symbols Used
in this Guide:
COLUMBINE
RANGER
DISTRICT
Camp Group Picnic
Sites Sites Sites
Reserve RV
Sites
Size
3
3
50’
1
1
25’
15
35’
26
45’
2 group
29
+ indiv.
60’
4
Carson NF
Services
45’
12
40’
15
40’
10
7
33
45’
Campground
Fees Charged
Electricity
Horse Corral
Picnic Area
Drinking Water
Rafting
RV Dump Station
Group Camping
Fishing
Trailhead
Restrooms
Barrier-Free
Boat Launch
Horse Facilities
Pagosa
Public Lands Campgrounds & Day Use Areas
Pagosa
Additional
Info:
Ranger District
Hinsdale County
San Juan National Forest
Rio Grande NF
Legend
For detailed campground
information, including
@ PUBLIC LANDS CENTER
!
A LOOKOUT
!
photos of campsites, scan
? ADMIN OFFICE/COMPOUND !
!
7 WORK CENTER/OTHER
this QR code with your
Transportation
smartphone,
or visit:
Road
US Highway
Road
160
£
"
¤
) County
National Forest
Trail
State Highway 629
http://www.rockymountainrec.com/
System Road
¬
«
camp/sanjuan.htm
Recreation
Sites
Administrative Facility
WEMINUCHE
WILDERNESS
Emerald
Lake
RIV
E
R
3
CIMARRONA
"
PIN
E
TEAL
WILLIAMS CREEK
8
"
11
Mineral
County
PALISADES
HORSE
6
"
250
151
Williams Crk
Reservoir
"
402
BRIDGE
2
7
WEST
FORK
PIEDRA
"
Archuleta
County
"
)
£
¤
160
9
UTE
PAGOSA
DISTRICT
OFFICE
600
629
5
"
7
!
CHIMNEY ROCK
NATIONAL
MONUMENT
"
)
Pagosa
Springs
UNC NF
SOUTH
SAN JUAN
WILDERNESS
Conejos
County
=
!
?
=
!
SQUARE TOP
GUARD STATION
"
)
326
A
!
651
EIGHT MILE
LOOKOUT
151
BLANCO RIVER
1
"
"
)
Columbine Ranger District
For campground
information, and to
make reservations, scan
this QR code with your
smartphone, or visit:
Major Grid tics = 5 mile interval
www.recreation.gov
and search for
Minor Grid tics = 1 mile interval
San Juan Forest, CO
7
!
¬
«
334
SILVER FALLS
GUARD STATION
TREASURE
GUARD STATION
"
756
537
7
!
For additional campground
information, including
Pagosa Ranger District
Adjacent National
District
Mancos/Dolores
specific Ranger
USFS
information,
Forest Boundary
Non-National Forest Land
Major Water Body
scan
this
QR
code
with
Municipality
your smartphone, or visit:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/
home/?cid=stelprdb5362505
Ranger District Division
County Boundary
4
7
!
Forest Boundary
National Monument
"
7
!
LOWER
PIEDRA
Administrative Boundaries
EAST
FORK
TURKEY SPRINGS
GUARD STATION
160
Rio Grande
County
Wilderness
160
JOB
CORPS
£
¤
10
"
£
¤
631
Vallecito
Reservoir
WILLIAMS CREEK
"
Wolf Creek
Pass
66
7
602
"
500
MDR 3/16/2015
Vicinity Map
84
£
¤
For information on the
Tres Rios BLM area, scan
this QRPAGOSA
code with your
SAN
RANGER
DISTRICT
smartphone,
or visit:
JUAN
NF
MANCOS-DOLORES
http://www.blm.gov/co/st/
COLUMBINE
RANGER
RANGER
DISTRICT
en/BLM_Programs/recreation/
DISTRICT
recreation_areas0/tres_rios_field_office.html
Uncompahgre NF
Navajo Reservoir
Gunnison NF
UTAH
Rio Grande NF
COLORADO
0
4
8
0
2.5
5
16
Kilometers
Miles
10
NEW MEXICO
BLM
Private Land
National Forest
Other District
COLORA DO
NEW MEXICO
approx. 300 miles southwest from Denver
Key
Map
Name
Location
Elev.
Camp
Sites
Group
Sites
Picnic
Sites
1
Blanco River Group
15 mi. SE of Pagosa
7300’
2
Bridge
19 mi. NW of Pagosa
7800’ 19
35’
3
Cimarrona
27 mi. NW of Pagosa
8400’ 21
35’
4
East Fork
11 mi. NE of Pagosa
7700’ 26
5
Lower Piedra
18 mi. E of Bayfield
6600’ 17
6
Palisades
28 mi. NW of Pagosa
8400’ 12
7
Piedra Picnic Area
16 mi. NW of Pagosa
7600’
8
Teal
25 mi. NW of Pagosa
8300’ 16
35’
9
Ute
17 mi. W of Pagosa
6800’ 26
35’
10
West Fork
15 mi. NE of Pagosa
7900’ 28
15
35’
11
Williams Creek
23 mi. NW of Pagosa
8200’ 61
32
45’
1
Carson NF
Reserve
RV Size Services
Sites
1
17
35’
35’
35’
12
45’
4
Avoid Conflict with Wildlife
Wild animals are residents of this diverse terrain. Campground visitors are likely
to see squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, deer, elk, skunks, porcupines, racoons and
many of the some 300 species of birds. Backcountry visitors may catch a glimpse of
bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bear, beaver, river otters, or even mountain
lions. View wildlife from a safe distance and treat wild animals with respect – for
your safety as well as theirs.
UNWANTED VISITORS
Don’t attract unwanted visitors to your campsite. Critters have an acute sense of
smell and are easily lured by the aroma of food or trash. Some rodents have a taste
for leather and anything sweaty or salty; store these items carefully. Never feed
wildlife or encourage them to become unafraid of humans - this endangers you and
them.
RATTLESNAKES
Rattlesnakes are seldom seen at high elevations but may be found in lower areas.
Snakebites are serious, but less than 2% are fatal. Don’t put your hands and
feet in places without looking first. Snakes fill an important niche in the animal
community, including eating rodents. If you see a snake, please treat it as any other
forest animal — as a subject to observe but not to disturb or injure.
DOGS AND WILDLIFE DON’T MIX!
Dogs must be on a leash in campgrounds and must be leashed or under voice
control at all times in the backcountry. One of the most negative effects you can
have on wildlife is to allow your dog to roam free. Dogs stress and endanger wild
animals by chasing them. Even if the animal appears to have escaped unharmed, it
may not survive as a result. In addition, many wild creatures pose dangers to dogs.
Your pet can be attacked by predators, or suffer when a skunk or porcupine must
defend itself against curiosity or attack.
STORE FOOD PROPERLY
Black bears can cause a lot of damage to your belongings, and if a bear is
desensitized to humans by your behavior, it may have to be destroyed. Bear-safety
regulations are in effect for campgrounds. Food, containers, packaging, cooking
utensils, garbage, pet food and bird feeders must be stored in a bear-resistant
manner (i.e. inside a hard-sided vehicle or camper; hung at least 10 feet above
ground and 4 feet away from a tree or other support; inside an approved bear
resistant container; or within an electrified enclosure.