Leave No Trace Principles. How to be responsible when exploring.

Updated: April 12, 2024

The best part of being in nature- experiencing the beauty the world has to offer. The worst part- seeing the trash that humans leave behind. By doing our part, we can minimize our impact and keep nature beautiful and clean for all to appreciate.

To do this, there are seven best practices (called Leave No Trace or LNT) that we should follow to enjoy and protect our natural spaces. Here are the 7 Leave No Trace Principles that can be practiced everywhere (on a mountain, on a river, in a park, in your backyard).

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Leave No Trace Principles: #1 Plan Ahead + Prepare

Leave No Trace principle #1 is to plan ahead and prepare. If you are unprepared for an outdoor activity, you are more likely to make poor choices due to necessity or lack of options.

The basic bullet points for this principle are:

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns, or flagging.

Leave No Trace Principles: #2 Travel + Camp on Durable Surfaces

When possible, use trails and campsites that have already been established. It is better to have one well-designed route than many poorly chosen paths. Trail use is recommended whenever possible.

• In popular areas:
  • Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
  • Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
  • Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
• In undisturbed areas
  • Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
  • Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

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Leave No Trace Principles: #3 Dispose of Waste Properly

Nothing ruins the scenery and impacts the environment more than trash left along a trail, river, or campsite.

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
• Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible. Otherwise, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Since there will always be those who don’t follow the “Pack it in, Pack it out” guidelines, I try to carry an extra bag along with me to pick up anything I find along the way. I encourage anyone else to do this too.

Leave No Trace Principles: #4 Leave What You Find

Admittedly, the 4th Leave No Trace Principle is the hardest one for me. It’s so difficult to leave a cool rock behind! But, this principle states that you leave what you find.

• Preserve the past: examine, and photograph, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

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Leave No Trace Principles: #5 Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can be one of the most destructive camping rituals if not done properly.

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts on the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
• Use established fire rings, pans, or mound fires where fires are permitted.
• Keep fires small. Use only sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Leave No Trace Principles: #6 Respect Wildlife

My absolute favorite part about being in nature is coming across wildlife. Observing them in their habitat can be so serene. A few rules to follow:

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, [habituates them to humans], and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

It’s also beneficial to be aware of the types of animals you may come across and how to protect yourself (and the animal).

Leave No Trace Principles: #7 Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Sometimes we prefer to be alone in nature. And there are some areas for that. But other times we may be in beautiful places that a few, or many, other people are also trying to enjoy. The 7th of the Leave No Trace Principles advises to be considerate of other visitors.

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
• Manage your pet.

Whatever type of activity you are doing, it’s helpful to know what the common rules are. For instance, when hiking on a narrow trail that runs up the side of a hill, those hiking down always yield to those hiking up. Small things like that can help make everyone’s experiences more enjoyable.

Following these 7 Leave No Trace Principles can help minimize our impact on the environment as we explore. Check out the Leave No Trace website for more information on their mission and programs, and to make a donation or become a member.

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~7 LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES~