Overnight Camping

Rules

Overnight camping is allowed only by the Smith College community and their guests. Permission must be obtained by requesting a backcountry permit ideally seven days in advance. Email macleish@smith.edu for permission or information on visiting the site.

Overnight camping is allowed in one of three designated camping areas only. The two smaller campsites are limited to six to eight people. The one large group site can accommodate 12 to 15.

Fires are allowed only in the designated "large group" camp site. Fires must be small and cooking sized (no large fires) and must be extinguished fully before going to sleep or leaving. Collect dead wood from the ground only—no cutting of live wood is allowed.

Leave No Trace Guidelines

No amount of regulation will preserve the backcountry unless each of us makes a personal effort to lessen our impact. Always plan your trip well enough in advance to be prepared for whatever you might encounter and learn to be a "no-trace" hiker.

  • PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE: Find out about the area you will be visiting, including any regulations or restrictions. Be sure to have maps, proper clothing, equipment, food and water.
  • TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES: Stay on the trail while hiking. Camp at sites which have already been heavily impacted, (but be sure it's a designtated site); or 200 feet from trails and water sources. Avoid moderately impacted sites where your visit could create more damage.
  • DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY: Carry out what you carry in; bury human waste in a hole four to eight inches deep, away from water, trails and campsites.
  • MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS: Use a lightweight backpacking stove. In some places campfires are allowed, but stoves help minimize the impact everywhere.
  • RESPECT WILDLIFE: Don't feed, chase or harass wildlife and be sure to hang your food well out of reach of bears!
  • BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS: Think about how your actions affect other people. Loud noises, out-of-control pets, cell phones and radios are a few examples of what might bother other trail users.

Camping Permit Application

Permit Requestor

Name
Phone
Smith ID
Email address
Cell phone

Please describe your level of experience with "back-country" camping

Date to enter back country
Date to exit back country
Which campsite do you wish to use?

Campers

No fewer than three and no more than 15 people may be at a campsite. Please enter the names of all the people in your group.

Vehicles

Smith Van

Smith Van ID

Vehicle A

Make
Model
Color
Tag
Tag State

Vehicle B

Make
Model
Color
Tag
Tag State

Vehicle C

Make
Model
Color
Tag
Tag State

Please print this page before sending it to CEEDS so that you have a copy for your records.