Keeping raccoons, mice, squirrels and birds out of camp food

How to protect camp food from the small animals that cause most food raids: raccoons, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, jays and ravens. Covers storage containers, coolers, camp routines, trash and why feeding wildlife harms animals.

By the CampTier team · Updated 2026-10-15 · About 5 min read

Illustrative photo of camping food and cookware laid out outdoors — Illustrative stock photo, not a product photo. Photo: PXHERE (CC0).

The real food thieves

Bears get the headlines, but most campers will lose far more food to raccoons, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, jays, ravens and even foxes. These animals are clever, persistent and often used to people at busy campgrounds. A raccoon can open a loosely latched cooler, a squirrel can chew through a nylon pack pocket in minutes, and ravens learn to unzip bags.

Protecting food from small animals is about more than saving your breakfast. Animals that get human food can become sick, aggressive or dependent on campsites, and wildlife that becomes a nuisance is sometimes removed. Good food habits protect wildlife and your trip. For bear-specific storage, read bear bag and food storage first, since bear rules usually set the minimum standard where they apply.

Know who is visiting

Raccoons: night visitors with nimble hands. They open coolers, unclip latches, unzip bags and tip trash cans.
Mice and other rodents: chew through packs, tents and soft bags to reach food and scented items, mostly at night. Their droppings can carry disease, so avoid contaminated food and clean up carefully.
Squirrels and chipmunks: daytime raiders. They grab unattended snacks and chew into packs left on the ground.
Jays, ravens and crows: fast, opportunistic and good at learning routines. They take food from tables the moment you turn around.
Foxes, coyotes, skunks and opossums: occasional visitors that may scavenge in some areas.

Rangers or campground hosts often know which animals are the problem at a given site. Ask on check-in.

Storage that works

Campground food lockers. Where they exist, use them. They protect against bears and almost everything else. Close and latch them every time.

Hard-sided containers. Bear canisters and hard plastic bins with tight latches resist most small animals. Clear plastic bins with secure lids are a good car-camping option where bears aren't an issue.

Locked vehicles. In many areas without bears, a closed car keeps food safe from small animals. Keep windows fully closed; raccoons can reach through gaps. Check local rules, because in bear country cars are often not considered safe storage.

Coolers. A cooler with strong latches and a closed lid resists many animals, but raccoons are notorious for opening simple latches. Add a strap or a bungee around the lid at night, or store the cooler in a car or locker. See cooler packing and packing a cooler for multi-day trips.

Hanging food. In the backcountry, a food hang can help against some animals, but squirrels, mice and martens can climb ropes. Where hangs are used, follow local guidance; see hanging a bear bag step by step. Rodent-resistant bags made from tough fabric are another option in some areas.

Never store food in your tent. Small animals will chew through tent fabric to reach it, and in bear country it can be dangerous.

What counts as "food"

Animals are attracted to anything with a scent. Store these items with food:

Snacks, drinks, cooking oil and spices
Trash and food wrappers
Pet food and treats
Toothpaste, sunscreen, lip balm and scented toiletries
Cookware and dish rags with food residue

Camp routines that prevent raids

Never leave food unattended, even for a few minutes. Birds and squirrels watch for the moment you walk to the car.
Pack up after each meal. Put food away as soon as you finish cooking and eating.
Clean as you go. Wipe tables, pick up crumbs and wash dishes promptly. See dishwashing at camp.
Bag trash securely and put it in animal-resistant bins or your locked storage. Don't leave trash bags hanging on hooks or under tables.
Keep packs zipped and off the ground if they contain any snacks. Better still, empty snack pockets into food storage.
Feed pets inside or immediately pick up bowls. Pet food left out invites visitors.
Store everything before bed. Do a last sweep with a headlamp around the table, fire ring and tent.

Our camp kitchen basics guide covers setting up a tidy cooking area.

Don't feed wildlife

It can be tempting to toss a peanut to a chipmunk or bread to a jay. Please don't. Feeding wildlife:

Can make animals sick, since human food is not part of their natural diet.
Teaches animals to approach people, which can lead to bites and scratches.
Leads animals to raid other campsites.
Is prohibited in many parks.

Teach kids to watch animals from a distance and never offer food. Binoculars help; see choosing camp binoculars for day hikes.

Mice in gear and cars

After trips, check gear for chew holes and droppings. Shake out packs and sleeping bags before storing them. If you find droppings, follow public health guidance on cleaning, such as ventilating the area and using a disinfectant rather than sweeping dry droppings, since rodents can carry disease. Store gear in sealed bins at home, and don't leave food crumbs in cars at trailheads, where rodents may move in. See gear storage between seasons.

If an animal gets into your food

Don't try to grab food back from a raccoon or other animal; they can bite. Make noise, and let it go. Clean up thoroughly, throw out anything the animal chewed or contaminated, and report persistent or aggressive animals to the campground host or ranger.

Checklist

Ask about local wildlife and storage rules at check-in
Use lockers or hard-sided bins where available
Strap or lock cooler lids at night
No food or scented items in the tent
Clean tables and dishes after every meal
Trash in secured bins
Packs zipped and emptied of snacks
Pet food put away
Final sweep before bed

Bottom line

Small animals take far more camp food than bears, and the fixes are simple: secure storage, a tidy table and never leaving food unattended. Keep scented items with food, don't feed wildlife and do a last check before bed. You'll keep your food and help keep the animals wild. More on minimal-impact camping is in campsite etiquette and Leave No Trace.

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General guidance from CampTier, based on manufacturer instructions and common outdoor practice. We don’t claim hands-on testing. Always follow your gear maker’s care and safety instructions. See our safety notes.