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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about camping in America?

101 replies

3lionsonapoacher · 08/07/2018 07:46

In August we're doing a road trip from San Francisco to Utah. Idea was we'd get hotels along the way but it's taking out expensive.
DH said he'd love to camp somebody of it and I agreed it sounded lovely, sleeping under the stars, next to lakes etc and we do a lot of camping in England so I agreed.

However after looking into it, all the areas we're going to a frequented by bears!! And I'm shitting myself that we'll end up in a situation. It just doesn't seem worth the risk to me.

AIBU to insist we just stick to hotels for this reason?

OP posts:
Original poster
3lionsonapoacher · 08/07/2018 07:47

Ignore the typos, stupid auto correct

OP posts:
UpstartCrow · 08/07/2018 07:48

There's no way I'd risk it, if you ask me bears are the real reason Winnebagos were invented.

Hideandgo · 08/07/2018 07:51

I’d only camp in proper camping grounds and make sure ALL food is kept in the best safe. I camped in Yosemite and my US cousin who brought us told us about a school trip where all the kids had been eating s’mores and one kids got bitten on the head through the tent because he went to sleep with marshmallow all over his face😱 He was ok, just some stitches, but there’s strict rules when camping in bear territory for a reason.

Hideandgo · 08/07/2018 07:52

Best safe = bear safe!

Bezm · 08/07/2018 07:59

We've done a coup,e of road trips in USA and got some really cheap hotel deals. We always book the first and last couple of nights in nice hotels beforehand then do the others as we travel. We've used Booking.com and Hotwire. Stayed in MGM Grand in Vegas for £30 a night!
I wouldn't camp and most of the campsites will be booked up by now anyway.

ifeelsoextraordinary · 08/07/2018 08:07

You can find some campsites with yurts? They are a lot more substantial than a tent. I never felt unsafe in them. Stayed just outside Yosemite. ‘Twas ace

Nakedavenger74 · 08/07/2018 08:08

V strict rules about camping in bear territory. Anything with a scent (yes including toiletries) in bear lockers or hoisted up a bear pole. Tbf if threes been sightings near campgrounds they tend to closes them but why not meet half way and get a camper van?

Loopytiles · 08/07/2018 08:09

Won’t it be costly and a huge PITA to take a tent and camping stuff on the plane?

bestbefore · 08/07/2018 08:12

Def lots of warnings in the national parks like Yosemite and sequoia about bears and camping - even at a lodge we staged in you were told it was law to not leave any food in the car.
Thrillingly we saw a bear when we were there, I was out of the car taking a photo and it just strolled past, was a baby I think but lovely!

TheHulksPurplePanties · 08/07/2018 08:26

You'll be fine as long as you keep your food in proper containers. Bears will nose around looking for food, but they will rarely attack campers.

dorothymichaels · 08/07/2018 08:33

My brother has a water bottle with a huge bear claw print on it. It was in the front part of his tent when they camped in Yosemite. They had to report it - bears that go that near humans get shot :-(
I've driven from SF to Utah - we stayed in motels along the way. Not expensive and I don't think we even booked.

Inkstainedmags · 08/07/2018 08:34

Camping in California is brilliant. YABU to avoid it because of bears when millions of people camp there every year. Put all food, toiletries and nice smelling stuff in a bear locker, don't eat in your tent and you'll be fine. Your biggest problem is that the sites book up so you will have to look a bit harder to find available pitches.

DoneDisappeared · 08/07/2018 08:37

I've gone camping tons in areas of California with bears and never saw one or sign of one. Just be smart and put everything in a bear hang or locker and you'll be fine.

sacredgeometry · 08/07/2018 08:38

You definitely should not just pitch up at the side of the road and pitch a tent ! The US has some interesting wildlife we don't have to deal with here !

Bears, Rattlesnakes, Racoons, Black Widow Spiders, coyotes, Elk, wild Boar (in huge numbers)

Its also worth noting that you should be aware of what kind of area you are in as some of the humans are unsavory ! Theres a massive heroin epidemic in the US right now and being robbed is a real risk.

Be careful OP

MentalUnload · 08/07/2018 08:39

Also look at Airbnb for deals

MentalUnload · 08/07/2018 08:40

Bears are an issue but you can take precautions. I’d be just as worried about general security (people and natural environment, both are more “wild” than in UK)

iismum · 08/07/2018 08:41

Camping in the US is really easy and saves a fortune, especially in the national parks. Go to official campsites and they will all have bear boxes - you just chuck everything that could smell in there and you're fine, it's not hard. Beware of poison oak though!

LokiBear · 08/07/2018 08:41

In my 20s we camped at the grand canyon. It was fab! We also did a road trip.and found hotels along the way. In vegas, we stayed just up the road in Boulder City. Beautiful hotel for a fraction of the cost. Lots of motel 6's were very cheap too.

WowLookAtYou · 08/07/2018 08:45

Motels are cheap, yes, and the rooms are much larger than in Europe, often with 2 double beds and you can fit the whole family in. Massive buffet breakfasts are usually included.
Campsites also do tents/yurts where basic equipment (camp beds/ bedding/lamps) are all provided.
Very strict on bear bins! And you can't even leave scented products (including empty food wrappers/drink containers) in your car, particularly if you have a soft-top.

somewhereovertherain · 08/07/2018 08:45

Wild camped in a bear area / national park. We just hung all smelly things in a tree nearby as no bear poles. Also camped on a couple of camping grounds same rules apply.

Saw some great wildlife early doors.

I’d have no issue with camping.

Frosty66612 · 08/07/2018 08:46

My sister stayed in a cabin near Yosemite and had a couple of bears clawing at the door trying to get in.

LEELULUMPKIN · 08/07/2018 08:49

Read "A walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson, then decide.

Sequencedress · 08/07/2018 08:52

Having completed the Appalachian Trail I can say with confidence that you’d have a great time camping! Get a bear canister (they can get into bear bags) hang your food, don’t even eat in your tent, practice the ‘leave no trace’ philosophy, and have fun. Be smart, read a few blogs before you go to make sure you don’t make rookie mistakes, and respect your surroundings. I camped out for 7months on the AT, and am still here to tell the tale Grin

Itsallaswizz · 08/07/2018 08:54

Try motels rather than hotels. They're loads cheaper, breakfast (of sorts) and parking included and a good standard, even the chain ones. We found hotels in the to be ridiculous when you consider all the extras they charge for!

Sencha · 08/07/2018 08:57

It'll be great fun, so long as you're well-informed and take risks (and local advice) seriously.

I think there's a potential for danger in many situations in the US when people rock up expecting it to be a Disneyfied place or a version of the UK - I speak as someone who nearly died there by not taking a weather warning very seriously Confused.

Extreme weather; local wildlife; personal safety... don't be that tourist who assumes it's nothing to do with them, and you'll probably be fine!