Hiking and Camping

Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center
24-hour phone: 1-800-222-1222

If you are in Arizona with an out-of-state cell phone, call (602) 253-3334 for the local poison center.

When hiking or camping in Arizona have an emergency plan thought out ahead of time. If some problem happens use your cell phone to call for help, if not within cell phone range walk out and go to the nearest emergency facility.

Things you can do to prevent a venomous bite or sting when enjoying the great outdoors:

When hiking:

• Wear long pants and lace-up leather shoes or boots that cover the ankles.
• Remain alert for snakes. Be extra cautious when temperatures remain above 82 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime. South-facing slopes and rocky areas are places where snake encounters are more likely.
• Don't handle, touch or play with snakes or Gila monsters. Walk around them if you can.
• A long walking stick can be a good hiking companion. It can be used in an emergency to move a snake out of bite range. Bite range is between 1/4 to 1/2 the snake's body length.
• Step on top of rocks or logs to get a clear view of what's on the other side before stepping down.
• Don't place your hands where you can't see.
• Don't blindly reach under rocks or logs.
• Check and shake bedding and clothes before use.
• Don't wear scents of any kind (for example: perfume, after shave or hair spray).
• Watch for bee hives, colonies or swarms when outdoors - leave alone if found. If the bees start going for your head, leave the area immediately and as fast as you can.
• Do not disturb or throw rocks at bee hives.
• It is best to consider all wild bees in Arizona as Africanized and aggressive.

When camping:

• Check and shake bedding and clothes before use.
• Close and zip all tent closures at night.
• Be aware that during the hot summer months, the rattlesnakes are more active and hunt at night.
• Keep a good first aid kit with you. A snake bite kit is not necessary.