Recreate Responsibly this Summer

Your Bureau of Land Management-managed public lands provide excellent opportunities for visitors to enjoy America’s open spaces across 245 million acres. Here you can enjoy plenty of outdoor fun - fishing, swimming, camping, rockhounding, backpacking, hiking, boating, off-highway vehicle use and more. Many of these special places are free of charge for the public to enjoy.

Complying with fire restrictions and following guidelines for recreating responsibly outdoors will keep everyone safe. It is up to all of us to help protect public lands from preventable wildfires. Check out these tips to recreate responsibly and be Wildfire Aware to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

Know Before You Go:

Know how to prevent wildfires by using outdoor equipment properly, learning campfire safety to properly extinguish campfires, and checking for local fire restrictions and closures where you are headed. Reservations and permits may be required.

Plan and Prepare:

Check the local weather conditions before you leave home and be prepared for seasonal weather changes. Make sure you have the gear you need and a backup plan. Always let someone know your plans, including your itinerary and when you expect to return home. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and use when properly extinguishing campfires. Download the Recreation.gov mobile app for interactive maps, tours, permits, accessibility information and other helpful resources before heading out on your next adventure. 

Play it Safe:

Understand the potentially explosive nature of your toys and tools and make sure there are no restrictions on their use in the area you are visiting. Park away from and not on dry grass. Ensure tow chains are not dragging and tow straps are secured. Fireworks and exploding targets cannot be used on public lands. Enjoying time outside also includes being water-safe and knowing your own limits. 

Explore Locally:

Overcrowding and impacts from wildfire can change your travel plans. Have a backup plan that includes destinations closer to home. 

Leave No Trace:

Visitors should be prepared to follow Leave No Trace principles, including disposing of waste properly and respecting wildlife. It is your responsibility to pack out everything that you packed in, including any trash. Make sure your campfire is completely out and cold to the touch before going to sleep or leaving your campsite. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

Build an Inclusive Outdoors:

Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities. Visiting public lands is an opportunity to develop meaningful connections to the natural world and a commitment to stewardship.