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Nine tips for frontcountry camping — the Lake Friendly way

Updated: Jun 14, 2021


Frontcountry camping means you can get to the campsites by driving in your car, so it's often called car camping. These campgrounds usually have running water and modern washrooms. Many people camp in tents, while others set up tent-trailers or RVs.


What is Lake Friendly camping?

Lake Friendly camping means respecting the great outdoors, making choices that help keep our lakes pristine, and cleaning up so others can enjoy the same space.

Ways to make your camping experience Lake Friendly:

Preparation is key!

1. Plan on making meals that don’t require many dishes, like one-pot meals

  • Fewer dishes = less water to clean them

2. Pack food in plastic bags

  • Stuff used bags into one another so you can easily keep track of your waste

  • Take the bags home, wash them, and reuse them

3. Bring big containers to hold water

  • Filling up one container means fewer trips to get water

  • If the campground doesn't have running water, this strategy reduces harm to wildlife and vegetation near the lake or waterway


person sitting in chair car camping

4. Make a thorough list of everything you'll need to have a good, safe time.

  • Every person and group has different wants and desires while camping, so what you want to bring depends on the experience you're looking to have

Be smart when setting up camp.

5. Avoid camping near water or trails

  • Set up at least 200 feet away from the water’s edge (approximately 70 adult footsteps)

  • Wildlife and people often rely on these corridors to move around the area

6. Chose to set up camp in places that have durable surfaces like rock, gravel, and sand

  • In high-use areas, these are the spots where people set up often

  • By choosing durable surfaces you are not damaging the surrounding grasses and plants

Enjoy your camping experience.

7. Wash your dishes, hands, and body using as little soap as possible

  • Aim to use no soap. You can thoroughly wash things when you are back home

  • Stay at least 200 feet from waterways while cleaning

8. Be conscious when putting on sunscreen, bug spray, lotion, and deodorant before swimming in the lake

  • Do you ever jump in the water and see shiny oils floating around you? That’s from the lotions we put on our bodies

  • Protecting your skin from the sun is essential, so make sure that you choose a water-resistant sunscreen

  • Wait at least 15 minutes before entering the water to allow time for it to soak in

Leave no trace behind.

9. Double-check that you aren’t leaving any belongings or garbage at your site

  • Make the site safe for wildlife and welcoming for the next people to use

If you're new to camping it's easy to feel intimidated. But with the above tips and other tips for beginners, you can feel confident about sleeping under the stars and waking up to the fresh air.


Visit one of Manitoba’s beautiful frontcountry campgrounds to take advantage of our summer weekends. Check out Travel Manitoba's information and pictures of beautiful campsites across Manitoba.

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