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 into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass to eliminate the
use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Durable surfaces include established
trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at
least 200 feet from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found,
not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
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 pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation
of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your
campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out
all trash, leftover food, and litter.
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.
Leave What You Find
Preserve the past: examine, 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.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to
the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy
a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established
fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use 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.
Respect Wildlife
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do
not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife
damages their health, alters natural behaviors, 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.
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 noise.
Follow the link to the Leave No Trace website
for more detailed information. www.LNT.org
