11 Tips To Avoid Dangerous Plants and Animals While Camping

One of the main reasons why we love camping so much is spending time in nature. Duh! However, flora and fauna can also quickly torpedo an otherwise epic adventure. Head-to-toe poison oak rash, a brush with a matronly grizzly bear, nefarious marmots treating your vehicle wiring like an all-you-can-nibble buffet–all of these incidents and more can ruin an expedition expeditiously. 

Below, we’ll share tips we’ve learned over the years to help you avoid dangerous plants and animals while camping. We’ll include some specific tips–like how to identify and avoid poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac–as well as some general advice to reduce chances of a trip-ruining run-in with nature. 

Research Your Destination Ahead of Your Trip

This first tip is purposefully broad. No matter where you’re road-tripping or camping, it’s worth researching that destination–and its potentially dangerous plants and animals–before you hit the road. 

Flora and fauna differ from destination to destination, after all, and it pays to be informed. You might be heading into a zone notorious for poison sumac, camping in a canyon where mountain lions have been spotted, parking in a trailhead lot ruled by vehicle-mutilating marmots, so on and so forth. 

Say you’re heading to a national park. You can visit that park’s website ahead of time, where you’ll find pages dedicated to the plants and animals of the park, as well as notifications regarding safety concerns and current conditions.

Identify–and Avoid–Poison Oak And Poison Ivy

Watch the above video for more treatment and identification tips. 

Two of the most infamous poisonous plants are poison oak and poison ivy, both of which contain urushiol oil–a resin that causes an allergic reaction upon contact with skin. Unless you’ve got a burning desire to have a fiery rash between your toes, upon your scalp, and every place in between, you’re going to want to avoid these troublesome plants. 

Identifying Poison Ivy: Poison ivy can be identified by close leaf analysis. Its leaflets have pointed tips, jagged edges, and are grouped in clusters of three, all of which grow directly from the stem. Hence the adage, “leaves of three, let them be.” Another useful reminder? “Berries white, take flight!” This second rhyme refers to hazardous white berries that mature in the fall months. Poison ivy boasts coverage that puts Verizon to shame, as it grows in pretty much all over the United States. 

Identifying Poison Oak: Poison oak leaflets are rounded, resembling the shape of oak leaves, and typically grow in clusters of three. The plant features white flowers in the spring and grows as a vine or shrub. Poison oak usually populates land below 5,000 on the Pacific coast, although you’ll find it in the southeast as well.

Here are a few more tips to keep in mind regarding poison oak and poison ivy:

• Research: We’ve said it once, we’ll say it again. Research your destination ahead of time–you may learn that poison oak and/or poison ivy are a hazard to watch out for in the region. 
• Be Observant: Always keep an eye out on the trail. 
• Read Trail Signs: Keep an eye out for signage. Oftentimes, trails with prodigious poison oak or poison ivy problems feature signs to warn hikers. 
• Identify Plants Like A Pro: Download an app like PictureThis to help you identify plants at camp and on the trail. This can help you familiarize yourself with exactly what these plants look like so you can spot them more easily in the future. 
• Stay On Trail: When in doubt, avoid off-trail adventures. 
• Keep Dogs On Leash: Keep your pooch on a leash in poison oak and poison ivy country. Dogs can get a rash from urushiol oil or experience stomach issues in the event of consumption. Not only that, but they can transfer the oil from their fur to your skin! 
• Treat ASAP: If you do come into contact with poison oak or poison ivy, rinse off thoroughly ASAP, ideally with a degreasing soap, poisonous plant wash, or rubbing alcohol. 
• Wash, Or Even Toss, Clothes: The oil can stay on clothes for weeks after initial contact, so you never really know when you’re out of the woods. In the event of contact, separate contaminated clothes, use hot water, and give them a double wash. Rinse your washing machine afterwards to reduce chances of transferring the oil to clean clothes. In extreme cases, you may just want to retire the duds, as risking a secondary outbreak of the rash is untenable. 

Remember Sneaky Poison Sumac 

Poison oak and poison ivy might be at the top your mind when camping, but they’re not the only source of concern. Don’t forget about poison sumac! If you know what to look for, poison sumac is harder to miss than low-growing poison oak and poison ivy. Why? Well, poison sumac is much taller–a poison sumac shrub or tree can be 20 feet tall. The poisonous plant features leaflets that feather out from the stem in pairs. Those leaflets are positioned in groups from seven to fifteen, and they’re green and pointy. Other distinguishing features: the stems are reddish, the bark is gray, and the plant can produce small white or light-green fruit clusters. These guys like to hang out on the eastern and southeastern parts of the country in wet, swampy areas. Like poison oak and poison ivy, poison sumac releases urushiol oil and post-contact treatment is similar. 

Stay Safe In Bear Country

Staying safe and camping responsibly in bear country is a massively important topic of its own–so much so we’ve dedicated entire articles to the subject. Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind: 

• Do Your Research: Again, research your destination of choice prior to departure. Camping in grizzly country raises different concerns than camping in black bear country, for instance–it pays to know what species you may come across while camping, population levels, recent interactions with humans, etcetera. If you’re visiting a national park, or camping near a national park, NPS websites will provide ample information on what to expect, local regulations and guidelines, so on and so forth. 
• Keep a Clean Camp: One of the best ways to avoid a bear run-in is to keep a clean camp. Don’t leave food out at night, unless it’s stashed in a campground bear box or bear canister. Cook and do your dishes far from where you’ll be sleeping. Practice Leave No Trace principles religiously.  
• Carry Bear Spray: We always like to camp with bear spray, especially in grizzly country. Make sure the bear spray is easily accessible and learn how to use it.

Camp in Your Vehicle

Tent camping in grizzly country can be nerve-wracking, as all that’s between you and a bear is a flimsy layer of nylon. On the contrary, when you camp in your vehicle on a comfortable, purpose-built Luno mattress, you’re able to lock your doors for extra protection and peace of mind. 

Additionally, since you’re sleeping in an enclosed vehicle that’s raised up and off the ground, camping in your car also provides a welcome buffer from snakes, spiders, and other creepy crawlies.

Mind The Moose

While most campers find bears more frightening than moose, the antlered ungulates are actually more dangerous to humans according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 

Moose can act particularly aggressive during the mating season in late September and early October. Like bears, mama moose can be extremely protective of their young. Adult males can weigh up to 1,800 pounds and run up to 35 miles per hour, but even relatively petite 300-pound calves can be a serious danger. And while you might be most concerned with those imposing antlers, hooves are a primary concern, as moose kick with startling power. 

Our advice? Give moose a wide berth and avoid getting between mothers and their young. Humans do have superior agility to these massive beasts, so if a moose does charge, try running around a tree or vehicle. 

For more tips on dealing with moose in the wilderness, check out this full article from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 

Aposematism Awareness

It’s generally a good idea to steer clear of brightly colored animals. Certain species have evolved to have a more flashy appearance as a defense mechanism to keep predators away. This evolutionary tactic is called “Aposematism,” and it’s used by animals to warn predators that they are toxic. Their showy appearance is a polite suggestion that you should back off before they mess you up. 

Little Animals–Big Danger

Animals both big and small can pose a threat to travelers. Anyone who has ever been sprayed by a skunk or attacked by bees can attest that size is no indication of danger. Hell hath no fury like a tick bite or a scorpion sting. Keep an eye out for threats of all sizes, on all fronts, when camping in the wild.

Tick Tactics

While plenty of insects can sour your camping trip, ticks can be a major health concern long after you’ve headed home. Here are a few tips for traveling in tick country:

• Where long sleeves and pants when hiking.
• Use tick-repellant clothing or treat your duds with tick repellant. 
• Avoid going off trail. 
• Check for ticks regularly after a day in the wild. 
• If you are bitten, remove the tick as quickly as possible per CDC guidelines. 

Keep Your Dog On A Leash (Especially If They Aren’t Well Trained)

It’s always a smart play to keep your dog on a leash while exploring the wilderness, especially if they’re not well trained. Whether you’re worried about coyotes and wolves or ticks and poison oak, keeping your dog on a leash will keep them from starting off your camping trip on the wrong paw. 

Don’t Feed or Take Selfies With Wildlife

Every year, oblivious campers get too close to wildlife for the sake of a selfie. Wildlife is just that–wild. Enjoy encounters with wildlife from a distance, but give wild creatures plenty of space, both for your sake and theirs. 

In a similar vein, don’t feed wild animals. That’s Leave No Trace 101. 

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Stay Safe Out There

Long story short? Flora and fauna are best enjoyed at a respectful distance–bring binoculars if you want to get up close and personal. Do your research, prepare accordingly, and camp smart. Follow these simple guidelines, and chances are you’ll have a fun, emergency-free adventure in the wilderness. 

Thanks for reading! And, as always, we’ll see you on the road,

-The Luno Crew