Leave No Trace: The 7 Principles Explained

What is Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace (LNT) is a set of outdoor ethics principles developed to minimize human impact on wild places. Following LNT means you're helping preserve the natural environment for future visitors and for the plants and animals that call it home.

The 7 Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area. Prepare for extreme weather. Travel in groups of 4–6 to minimize impact. Use maps and GPS to avoid getting lost.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Hike on established trails and camp on designated or previously used sites. In areas without established sites, camp on rock, gravel, sand, or dry grass — not vegetation.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. This applies to everything — food waste, packaging, and (yes) toilet paper. Bury human waste in a cat hole 6–8 inches deep, 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites.

4. Leave What You Find

Don't take rocks, flowers, artifacts, or disturb historical structures. Leave areas as you found them or better.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

Use a camp stove instead of a fire when possible. Where fires are allowed, use established fire rings, keep fires small, and burn only dead and downed wood. Drown fires completely before sleeping.

6. Respect Wildlife

Observe animals from a distance. Never feed wildlife — human food is harmful to animals and causes them to become dependent on human presence. Store food properly to avoid wildlife conflicts.

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Yield to uphill hikers. Keep noise levels low, especially at night. Respect the experience of others. Camp and stop for breaks away from the trail.