OUTDOOR RECREATION
LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Explain the seven principles of “leave no trace
principles”.
Enumerate practical applications of the
principles.
LEAVE NO TRACE
PRINCIPLE
Plan ahead and
Prepare
Principle # 1
Travel & camp on
a durable surface
Principle # 2
Dispose of waste
properly
Principle # 3
Leave what you
find
Principle # 4
Minimize campfire
Impacts
Principle # 5
Respect the
wildlife
Principle # 6
Be considerate in
other visitor
Principle # 7
Practical Application of
the Principles
Leave No Trace Principle
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
Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll
visit.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking
paint, rock cairns or flagging.
• 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.
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 it in, pack it out
• 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.
• 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.
• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment.
• 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.
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.
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.
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their
experience.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and
other visitors.
• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices
and noises.
