Leave No Trace, explained

The short answer

Leave No Trace comes down to one idea: leave a place as good as — or better than — you found it. Plan ahead, stay on durable ground, pack out everything you bring in (including food scraps and toilet paper), leave rocks, plants and history where they are, keep fires tiny or skip them, watch wildlife from a distance, and share the trail kindly.

The seven principles below were developed for the U.S. by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and are used, in some form, all over the world. You don't need to be perfect — you just need to make thoughtful choices, because the cumulative impact of thousands of hikers is what damages a place, not any single footstep.

1. Plan ahead and prepare

Most impact — and most rescues — trace back to poor planning. Know the regulations and any permits for where you're going, check the weather and conditions, and pack the right gear and enough food and water so you're never forced into a bad choice out there.

• Repackage food into reusable bags to cut down on trash.
• Travel in smaller groups where possible; big groups do more damage.
• Bring a map and know your route so you don't cut switchbacks or trample off-trail when lost.

2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Vegetation, soil crusts and lakeshores take years to recover from being walked on. Keep your feet — and your tent — on ground that can take it.

1. Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when it's muddy. Skirting puddles widens the trail and kills the plants on its edges.
2. Camp on durable ground — established sites, rock, gravel, dry grass or snow — and at least 200 feet (about 70 steps) from lakes and streams.
3. In pristine areas, spread out so no single spot gets worn in; in popular areas, concentrate use on sites that are already impacted.

3. Dispose of waste properly

"Pack it in, pack it out" is the heart of Leave No Trace. If you carried it in, you carry it out — wrappers, orange peels, and micro-trash included (banana skins and apple cores are not "natural" here and take weeks to years to rot).

1. Human waste: bury it in a 6–8 inch cathole at least 200 feet from water, trails and camp, and pack out your toilet paper. Some alpine, desert and canyon areas require you to pack out solid waste in a bag.
2. Water: wash yourself and your dishes at least 200 feet from streams and lakes, use tiny amounts of biodegradable soap, and scatter the strained water widely.
3. Micro-trash: do a quick sweep of your break spot and camp before you move on — twist-ties, food crumbs and bits of foil all count.

4. Leave what you find

Take pictures, not souvenirs. Rocks, wildflowers, antlers, artifacts and historic structures are part of the place, and they're often protected by law.

• Don't build cairns, dig trenches or hammer nails into trees.
• Leave cultural and historic items exactly where they are — report them, don't pocket them.
• Avoid transporting firewood long distances, which spreads tree-killing pests.

5. Minimize campfire impacts

Fires scar the ground, sterilize soil and, in the wrong conditions, start wildfires. A lightweight stove cooks faster and leaves nothing behind, so it's the default for most trips.

1. Check for fire bans first — they're common and legally binding in dry seasons.
2. If fires are allowed, use an existing ring, keep it small, and burn only dead-and-down wood you can snap by hand.
3. Burn it to ash, drown it, stir it, and drown it again until it's cold to the touch before you leave or sleep.

6. Respect wildlife

A fed animal is often a dead animal — it loses its fear of people, raids camps, and ends up removed. Keep wildlife wild by keeping your distance and your food secured.

1. Observe from afar and never approach, follow or feed animals; use a zoom lens or binoculars instead.
2. Store food, trash and scented items in a canister, locker or proper hang, away from your tent, in any area with bears or clever critters.
3. Give animals extra space during sensitive times — mating, nesting and raising young — and keep dogs leashed.

7. Be considerate of other visitors

Part of what people come for is quiet and solitude. A little courtesy keeps the trail pleasant for everyone.

• Yield thoughtfully — uphill hikers usually have the right of way, and everyone yields to horses.
• Keep voices and music down; many people are there for the natural sound.
• Take breaks and camp a little off the trail, out of others' sightlines where you can.