I just recalled -- I
have seen one snake while camping, and it was a rattlesnake, but it was hightailing it AWAY from my campsite just as I walked up to survey the site before pitching my tent. It was at Hill Country State Natural Area in the summer, and it headed for dense underbrush I would have no reason to be hiking or tromping through, so we didn't encroach upon one another at all while I was there. The snake isn't going to be tempted to check out a tent or sleeping bag or picnic stash, like a raccoon, squirrel or fire ants (or bear, in the right regions of the USA) are... they really do stick very much to themselves and prefer not to be bothered by us bipeds.
If it makes you or your wife feel better, a hiking staff works well to probe in brush before walking in it... that and hightop hiking boots are really all you need unless you're going to be doing bushwhacking hiking/backpacking.
Many, many snakes, btw, are totally harmless, totally not poisonous, and really quite beautiful.
Always keep your boots in your tent or flip them upside down before putting them on if you've left them out -- scorpions are my personal nemesis.