Trust Your Gut and Practice Situational Awareness
If a place feels off, leave--your intuition is your best defense
Be mindful of who’s around when setting up camp or parking for the night
Practice lying ahead of time so you feel comfortable and confident when you tell a stranger you are not camping alone
If you are stealth camping, stay in your car all night if possible to avoid letting anyone know who is in the car
Choose a Safe Parking Spot
Park in designated campgrounds or dispersed campsites
If stealth camping, opt for well-lit, low-traffic areas (avoid sketchy rest stops)
Always park where you can leave quickly if needed, normally this means backing into a spot.
Keep your Doors Locked and Valuables Hidden
Lock all doors and windows when sleeping
Keep valuables out of sight when possible. This doesn’t mean your car needs to look empty, but cameras, electronics, wallets, etc. should be hidden
Use window covers or curtains for privacy
Have an Exit Plan and Offline Navigation
Scout locations ahead of time for safe overnight parking
Download offline maps in care of poor cell service
Let someone(s) know your location and check in periodically
Have a backup site in mind if your first place feels unsafe
Garmin InReach devices will share your location with a group of people even in remote locations.
Be wildlife and Weather Aware
Store food properly to avoid attracting animals (use a bear-proof container if needed
Check the weather forecast for sudden storms or extreme cold/heat
Avoid camping under dead trees
Keep an airhorn on hand to scare off animals
Keep Emergency Gear on Hand
First Aid Kit
Roadside Emergency Kit
Self-Defense Items (pepper spray employed in the car will also harm you)