Leave No Trace — Quick Reference
Fold and keep in your pack. The 7 principles that keep wild places wild for everyone who comes after you.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations for your area
- Plan for waste disposal before you arrive
- Use a map — don't rely on GPS alone
- Prepare for extreme weather and emergencies
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Stick to established trails; walk single-file in a group
- Camp at least 200 feet (70 paces) from lakes and streams
- Use established campsites; in pristine areas, disperse use
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
- Pack out ALL trash, including food scraps
- Human waste: cathole 6–8 inches deep, 200 ft from water/camp/trails
- Pack out toilet paper — it doesn’t decompose quickly
- Scatter gray water 200 feet from water sources
4. Leave What You Find
- Leave rocks, plants, and natural objects as found
- Don’t dig trenches, build structures, or create new fire rings
- Don’t carve into trees or break live branches
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Use a stove instead of a fire whenever possible
- Use established fire rings only — never create new ones
- Burn wood to ash; drown, stir, drown again, touch to confirm cold
- Collect only downed wood no thicker than your wrist
6. Respect Wildlife
- Observe from a distance; never feed any wildlife
- Store food properly every night (bear canister or hang)
- Give animals extra space during breeding season
7. Be Considerate of Others
- Keep noise down, especially 6–8 a.m. and 8–10 p.m.
- Yield to uphill hikers on the trail
- Camp away from other parties when sites allow
- Let nature’s sounds prevail — no portable speakers