Leave No Trace: The Complete Field Guide

Leave No Trace isn't a set of rules about what you can't do. It's a framework for making decisions when the right answer isn't obvious — and for understanding why those decisions compound across thousands of visitors to the same place.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Most LNT violations happen not from carelessness but from not thinking about a problem before it becomes one. Where will you go to the bathroom? How will you store food? What do you do if a campsite is already heavily used? Answer these questions before you leave the trailhead.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Stick to established trails and campsites in high-use areas. Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams — roughly 70 adult paces. The most durable surfaces are rock, sand, gravel, dry grass, and snow.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. For human waste: dig a cathole 6–8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, trails, and camp. Pack out toilet paper. Scatter gray water away from all water sources and never wash directly in streams or lakes.

Leave What You Find

Rocks, plants, and cultural objects belong where you found them. Don't build structures, dig trenches, or create new fire rings. Avoid damaging live trees — don't carve initials, strip bark, or break branches for firewood.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Use a camp stove instead of a fire when possible. Where fires are allowed: use established fire rings only, burn wood to ash, and ensure the fire is completely cold before leaving — drown it, stir, drown again, touch to confirm. Collect only downed wood no thicker than your wrist.

Respect Wildlife

Observe animals from a distance. Never feed wildlife — it changes their behavior in ways that often lead to the animal being destroyed. Keep food stored properly to protect both your trip and the animal from becoming food-conditioned.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Keep noise down, especially in morning and evening. Yield to uphill hikers. Camp away from other parties when sites allow it. The experience you came for is the same one every other visitor came for.