I usually go geocaching or snake hunting after I set up camp.
I've never had anyone tamper with my stuff, but I do lock my bike to a tree or picnic table while I sleep. I guess my point is that while I say I don't worry too much about thievery, I still worry a little.

Never had anything stolen. I put everything on the bike in the tent, lock the bike, and hide the stuff in the tent so there's nothing obvious in view except the panniers and sleeping bag.

Yep, valuables and anything that might appeal to kids goes with me. I don't leave lights on the bike, they're too expensive to lose to a curious, bored teen or a desperate crackhead/tweaker.

Of course the best way to avoid theft / vandalism in a campground is to avoid campgrounds entirely - stealth camping is cheaper, safer and almost no chance of anyone discovering your property.

That works for me most places. If I get a bad vibe I am more careful. Perhaps I will have everything go AWOL some day. It won't be the end of the world. I tend to use gear and ride bikes I could afford to replace.

Lately I have gone light enough that carrying all my gear with me would not be out of the question, since my gear now fits in a 45 liter pack or maybe even a 30 liter one.

Coming to a camp ground near you. DA DA DAAA the sinister banjo picker. Avoid this creature at all costs.Feed him and he will start playing. He will razzle and dazzel you with his lighting faster than the speed of light finger picking. Women will swoon to his electrifying corrisma. Men will cry, they will laugh and in the end you will enjoy that is an order he he

Coming to a camp ground near you. DA DA DAAA the sinister banjo picker. Avoid this creature at all costs.Feed him and he will start playing. He will razzle and dazzel you with his lighting faster than the speed of light finger picking. Women will swoon to his electrifying corrisma. Men will cry, they will laugh and in the end you will enjoy that is an order he he

I have heard of banjos mysteriously disappearing in campgrounds. Usually right after the owner finishes playing and goes to take a shower or in the middle of the night

What is the difference between a chainsaw and a banjo? You can tune a chainsaw!

Have fun.

I'm out touring now right next to Big Bend NP in West Texas. I'm staying in a deserted campground. After reading this thread last night, I got out of my tent, locked my bike, and then got back in my tent. It is still here this morning.

Good move.

Mine was stolen out of a pretty little half empty campground in a dot-on-the-map town where "nothing like this ever happens". I lost count of the number of times I heard that phrase.


It's not so much the other people in the campground. They may have no interest in stealing anything ... after all they're in roughly the same situation as you. But it could be the people who live somewhere nearby or who might be passing through. Sometimes campgrounds are located in questionable areas, or right next to main highways.

It's highly unlikely that my bicycle was stolen by anyone in the campground, but it may have been by someone living in the area, or passing through on the nearby main highway.

And an acquaintence had his bicycle stolen from a campground in France ... again, highly unlikely it was anyone in the campground, but quite possibly someone in the surrounding town who had his/her eye on that particular bicycle and knew what he/she was stealing.


I prefer campgrounds with decent walls or fences and good security.

I guess times have changed, and not for the better. Years ago, I spent four summers as a park ranger at two Ontario provincial parks. In all that time, we never had a single reported theft, of anything.

Theft / vandalism to motor vehicles parked at Appalachian Trail trailheads has not been unusual for many years. People actually plan trips to avoid more troublesome trailheads. This is true everywhere, I just happen to have personal experience with AT areas.

Day-hikers and overnighters parking at trailhead tend to be distracted by their adventure, and they leave valuables in car they don't want to carry or are afraid they'll lose, like wallets. Because trailheads are usually in rural, isolated areas with hardly any witnesses to drive by, they are the perfect opportunity to hit a car for contents and parts (tires, wheels, air bag, audio). I had an old pickup that was perfect for backpacking trips - it was so old and wore-out no one wanted it - didn't even lock the doors. The BMW / Lexus / SUV sitting next to it were far more attractive targets.

The level of security offered at the campground would help with a decision to leave anything unattended. IN NJ many of the state campgrounds are staffed and patrolled by Park Police. There is a cost to entry or a security gate/guard house to gain entry to the campground. This offers a level of protection from outsiders who are going to seek easier targets. Still, you are at the mercy of your fellow campers.

On a personal level, I'm the wrong person to ask as I'm obessive compulsive about locking my stuff up. After i lock my car I stand there until i see the alarm light come on and blink. At a campground, once i'm unpacked i'm in for the night!

Sorry didn't read all the responses yet so I am not sure if this has been posted yet. I read a great idea in the Tips and Tricks sticky to run a string inside your tent at night while you sleep. If someone tries to steal your ride it will shake your tent all pieces. I sleep with ear plugs and would not hear a stealthy thief. I am pretty sure I notice my tent falling in on my head.

Here in the US where I tour, I have not stayed in many that meet that criteria. When I have they tend to be more like RV parks which I usually avoid. I actually worry more about theft there than in impromptu camps in town picnic areas, state forests, state parks, or national parks. The one camp site where I did have something stolen was a campground that by appearances would have probably met your criteria other than the "good" part of security. I am pretty sure the camp employee who was supposed to be the security guy was the one who lifted my cell phone when I left it charging (something which is a bit risky, but which I have done without incident in many state and national parks).

I have had a few other things go missing on tour, but always while I was in a store with the bike parked outside and always an item that I carelessly stowed outside of the pannier where it could be casually taken without opening a bag. Twice it was a pair of Crocs and once it was a pump.

Me too. Fences and "security" personnel don't protect you from the people within, if at all. And you can always count on the drone of RV generators in most (all) campgrounds to ruin your peace. Never travel without good foam earplugs.

@mtbmaven - I've done the string trick too, seems silly but helps you rest.

It seems like one of those motion alarms for bikes also would help a good night's rest. There also are some smartphone motion alarm apps, maybe if the phone was hidden in a bag and the alarm set...

or you just tie a bell to it

The other campers will love you when the wind or a rummaging raccoon set off your alarm at 3 AM

I usually go tent camping at state parks at the Louisiana State Parks and the Mississippi State Parks. Been doing that since I was about six years old (I am 29 years old now, so that be 23 years). I have never had anybody steal from me. If anything, people are more friendly at state parks then other places I been bike riding at.

I know you mean that you will be riding your bicycle into town. I love riding my bicycle at the Louisiana State Parks and the Mississippi State Parks. There are bathrooms, places to refill my water bottle, and vending machines (usually at least one for both drinks and food).