Leave No Trace: 7 Principles Every Camper Should Know

Why These 7 Principles Matter

There’s a special feeling that comes with stepping into untouched wilderness—the quiet, the clean air, the sense that you’re somewhere truly wild. But here’s the thing: that feeling only exists because countless campers before us made the choice to leave things better than they found them.

Leave No Trace (LNT) isn’t a set of restrictive rules. It’s a mindset. It’s how we ensure that the trails we love and the campsites we cherish remain pristine for our kids, their kids, and every adventurer who comes after us. Let’s break down the seven principles that make it all possible.

Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

Good trips start at home. When we plan ahead, we make better decisions in the field and avoid situations that could harm the environment.

What this looks like in practice:

Research your destination’s regulations and conditions before you go
Check weather forecasts and fire restrictions
Repackage food to minimize waste (ditch the cardboard boxes)
Bring a map so you don’t need to mark trails with rock piles or ribbons
Travel in small groups to reduce impact on campsites

The camper who shows up unprepared is the one who cuts corners—and those shortcuts often leave lasting scars on the landscape.

Principle 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Every step we take has an impact. The key is choosing surfaces that can handle it.

On the trail:

Stick to established paths, even when they’re muddy
Walk single file through the center of the trail
Resist the urge to cut switchbacks—erosion follows

At camp:

Use established campsites whenever possible
Set up at least 200 feet from lakes and streams
Look for rock, gravel, dry grass, or bare ground

In pristine areas without established sites, we recommend dispersing your use—camp on durable surfaces, stay one night, and leave no sign you were there.

Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. It’s that simple—and that non-negotiable.

Everything leaves with you:

Food scraps (yes, even apple cores and orange peels)
All packaging and wrappers
Used toilet paper (bring a dedicated ziplock bag)

For human waste:

Dig a cathole 6-8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water sources
Cover and disguise when finished
In high-use or fragile areas, pack out everything with WAG bags

Pro tip: Keep a dedicated trash bag clipped to the outside of your pack. When packing out is easy, you’ll actually do it.

Principle 4: Leave What You Find

The wilderness isn’t a souvenir shop. What we find there belongs to everyone who comes after us.

Leave these where they are:

Wildflowers and plants
Rocks, antlers, and feathers
Historical artifacts and structures

Avoid these impacts:

Building rock cairns (they confuse other hikers)
Carving into trees or rocks
Digging trenches around tents

We take photos, not souvenirs. The next visitor deserves to discover that same beautiful scene.

Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts

Few things feel more like camping than a crackling fire—but fires leave lasting marks on the land.

Before striking a match:

Check current fire restrictions (conditions change constantly)
Consider whether you actually need a fire
Use an existing fire ring if one exists

If fires are allowed:

Keep them small—just big enough for cooking or warmth
Burn only dead and downed wood (never cut live branches)
Let it burn completely to ash, then drown, stir, and feel for heat

In pristine areas, we recommend using a camp stove instead. They’re lighter, cleaner, and leave no trace at all.

Principle 6: Respect Wildlife

We’re visitors in their home. Our presence should never put animals at risk.

The golden rules:

Observe from a distance (bring binoculars, leave the zoom lens alone)
Never approach, follow, or feed wildlife
Store food properly in bear canisters or bear bags
Keep at least 25 yards from most animals, 100 yards from predators

Remember: a fed animal is a dead animal. Wildlife that associates humans with food becomes dangerous—and is often euthanized. That granola bar you toss to a curious squirrel could start a chain of events that ends badly.

Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors

We all came here for the same thing—peace, quiet, and a connection with nature. Let’s not ruin it for each other.

Simple courtesies:

Keep voices low and skip the Bluetooth speaker
Yield to uphill hikers and pack animals
Give other campers space—don’t set up right next to them if there’s room
Respect quiet hours (typically 10pm to 6am)

The wilderness is one of the few places left where we can escape noise and crowds. Let’s keep it that way.

Putting It All Together

Leave No Trace isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. Before every action in the backcountry, ask yourself: would this place look the same if I left right now? What would happen if everyone did what I’m about to do?

These seven principles have protected wild places for decades. Now it’s our turn to carry them forward. Plan ahead. Stay on durable surfaces. Pack out your trash. Leave nature where you find it. Be careful with fire. Respect wildlife. And be considerate of the humans around you.

Do these things, and the trails and campsites we love will be waiting—just as beautiful—for every camper who comes after us.

Take only photos. Leave only footprints. Kill only time.