Summer in Breckenridge, Colo. Photo by Tom Uhlenbrock/Post-Dispatch.

Do visitors to national parks need an etiquette update? The folks at Ore Communications and the U.S. National Parks Service must think so. They distributed this press release last week:

Seven Rules of Etiquette for Colorado National Parks Visitors -Tips keep visitors, wildlife and wilderness safe-

Granby, Colo. (June 22, 2009) - The well-known adage “take only photos, leave only footprints, kill only time” appropriately sums up the rules to live by when visiting your favorite Colorado national park or monument this summer.

Whether you’re hiking through Mesa Verde National Park (www.nps.gov/meve), picnicking at Colorado National Monument (www.nps.gov/colm), camping in Rocky Mountain National Park (www.nps.gov/romo), rock climbing in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (www.nps.gov/blca), or otherwise enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors, each of us share the responsibility of keeping the wilderness and wildlife clean, safe and unblemished for enjoyment today and generations to come.
Here are seven ways to ensure you do your part.

1. Visitors Centers are a good place to start any trip into a national park or monument for the latest information on safety hazards, seasonal closures, weather and wildlife notices. Also, be sure to check with park rangers about fire, camping and pet restrictions.

2. Respect the wildlife by observing from a distance and avoiding those that are mating, nesting and raising young. Control your pets, or leave them at home. Never feed the wildlife, as this damages their health and natural behaviors.

3. Leave what you find: don’t pick flowers or collect rocks and plants.
Preserve the past by looking with your eyes and not with your hands. Don’t touch historical structures or cultural artifacts.

4. Travel through and camp on durable and designated surfaces, use existing trails, campsites and fire pits. Good campsites are found, not made, so altering a site is not necessary. In pristine and remote areas, protect fragile riparian locales by dispersing use, so as to not create new trails and campsites.

5. Dispose of waste properly by following the practice of “pack it in/pack it out.” Wash and waste at least 200 feet from campsites, trails and natural water sources (lakes, streams, etc.).

6. Minimize campfire impacts by using established fire rings and keeping fires small. Completely put out fires before you leave. Use a lightweight camp stove for cooking and candle or lantern for light.

7. Always obey posted signs/rules - they are there for the protection of both you and the wilderness.

Finally, be prepared and plan ahead. Pack enough water and food for the length of your stay. Check the forecast and bring weather-appropriate attire. Conditions in the Colorado Rockies can change quickly, so light layers are a good idea.

For more information on activities, attractions and events in Delta County (www.westerncolorado.org), Grand County (www.grand-county.com), Grand Junction (www.visitgrandjunction.com), Mesa Verde Country (www.mesaverdecountry.com), Southwest Colorado Travel Region
(www.swcolotravel.org) or Ouray (www.ouraycolorado.com) visit the individual Web sites.