Leave No Trace: The essential guide to responsible hiking and camping

Whether you are hitting a local state park for a quick sunset hike or gearing up for a week in the backcountry, public lands are our greatest shared resource. From Bureau of Land Management (BLM) tracts to iconic National Parks, these spaces provide the backdrop for our best adventures.

However, popularity comes at a cost. With record numbers of visitors, our favorite trails and campsites are feeling the strain. Trash, erosion, and wildlife disturbance are becoming common problems. The solution isn’t to stop exploring—it’s to change how we explore. By mastering Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, you ensure these places remain wild, pristine, and open for the next generation of hikers and campers. Read on to learn more about proper outdoor ethics.

What is Leave No Trace?

Leave No Trace is more than just a catchy slogan; it is the industry-standard framework for outdoor ethics. Developed by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, these seven principles are based on years of ecological research. They provide a common-sense roadmap for minimizing your footprint in any environment, from desert scrubland to alpine meadows.

The 7 Leave No Trace principles

Think of these not as rigid rules, but as habits that become second nature once you get the hang of them.

1. Plan ahead and prepare

The best adventures are safe adventures. Most “accidental” damage happens when people are unprepared, lost, or stressed.

• Check the rules: Regulations change by season and location. Always check the official website for your destination for fire bans, permit requirements, and seasonal closures.
• Go lean, not mean: Repackage food into reusable containers to minimize plastic waste.
• Know your group: Be honest about your group’s skill level. Traveling in smaller groups is easier on the land and much quieter.

2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Your goal is to be a ghost. If you stick to surfaces that are designed to handle foot traffic, you prevent the kind of soil erosion that creates “social trails” (unauthorized paths created by repeated foot traffic).

• Stay the course: Always walk in the middle of the trail, even if it’s muddy.
• Choose established spots: When backpacking, use existing tent pads or impact sites. If you’re in a truly remote area without trails, spread out your travel so you don’t create a new path.
• The 200-foot rule: Always camp or perform bathroom duties at least 200 feet—roughly 70 big steps—away from water sources, trails, and campsites.

3. Dispose of waste properly

“Pack it in, pack it out” is the absolute baseline. If you brought it into the wild, it leaves with you.

• Human waste: If no toilets are available, dig a “cathole” 6–8 inches deep. Always pack out your toilet paper—it does not decompose as quickly as you think.
• Dishwater: Straining food bits and scattering your gray water at least 200 feet from a water source is a pro move that keeps streams clean.

To practice proper waste disposal, you need the right kit. I personally keep a lightweight backpacking trowel in my bag—it’s incredibly light and virtually indestructible. Also, don’t forget a smell-proof barrier bag to pack out your used toilet paper; it’s the most hygienic, LNT-compliant way to keep the backcountry clean.

4. Leave what you find

It’s tempting to pick up that cool rock or feather—but keep in mind that in the US, some feathers (like those from raptors) are protected by federal law. Disturbing artifacts or natural features robs others of that discovery.

• Take photos, not souvenirs: Leave flowers, plants, and historical artifacts where they are.
• Skip the cairns: Building your own rock towers can confuse other hikers and ruin the natural aesthetic. Contrary to myth, rangers do not use these to mark paths. If you see an official trail marker, leave it be; otherwise, return the rocks to their natural position.

5. Minimize campfire impacts

We all love a campfire, but they are a leading cause of damage in the backcountry.

• Use a stove: A lightweight camp stove is cleaner, faster, and much safer than a wood fire.
• Keep it contained: If you must have a fire, use an established metal fire ring. Never build a new one when one is available. Keep the fire small, and burn the wood down to white ash before putting it out completely with water. Note: Always check local ordinances—for example, in Washington State, fire pits are limited to a three-foot diameter.

6. Respect wildlife

We are visitors in their home. If your presence forces an animal to move, you are too close.

• Binoculars are your best friend: Never approach, feed, or crowd wildlife.
• Secure your stash: Use bear-resistant containers to keep your food out of reach of curious critters.

7. Be considerate of other visitors

Outdoor etiquette is just as important as environmental ethics.

• Yielding: Generally, hikers going uphill have the right of way. If you’re moving fast, step aside to let others pass.
• Keep it quiet: Nature is a place to listen, not to host a concert. Keep music and loud conversations to a minimum so everyone can enjoy the peace.

In addition to these rules, be sure to check with the local land agency for any specific rules. In the US, public land rules vary by location and not necessarily just by the agency.

Quick reference: The LNT cheat sheet

Pro-tips: Mastering tricky terrain

Different environments require different tactics. You wouldn’t treat a fragile alpine meadow the same way you’d treat a sandy desert wash. Here is how to adapt your Leave No Trace game based on where you are:

🌵 The desert: Where “every step counts”

• Watch the crust: Cryptobiotic soil (the bumpy, dark, crunchy-looking stuff) is alive. It takes decades to grow and keeps the desert ecosystem healthy. Avoid it like the plague—stick to rocks or sand.
• The water rule: Water is life in the desert. Never camp within 200 feet of a water source; animals need that space to drink without fear.
• Waste protocol: In many desert regions (like parts of Moab or Grand Canyon), you must pack out your solid human waste. Check the area’s specific rules before you head out.

🏔️ High alpine zones: Where nature is “barely hanging on”

• Tread lightly: Alpine plants are incredibly slow-growing and fragile. A single step off-trail can crush a plant that took years to develop. If you must walk off-trail, stick to rock, scree, or snow.
• Avoid the bloom: In mid-summer, avoid trampling wildflower meadows. They are blooming, fragile, and sensitive to compaction.
• Cold-weather fires: In the high alpine, dead wood is a vital part of the soil cycle. Don’t burn it. Stick to your stove.

🌲 Forest and dense brush: Where “stealth is key”

• Dispersed camping: In deep woods, find a spot that has already been cleared. Don’t move logs or rocks to “improve” your site—you’re just creating a new scar on the landscape.
• The “throne” rule: If you need to do your business, make sure your cathole is far enough off the trail that no other hiker will accidentally stumble upon your “office.” See the guide, How to poop in the woods: A 2026 guide to backcountry hygiene for more info on how to properly do your business in nature.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The ultimate Leave No Trace go-bag checklist

Keep this list handy when you’re packing. Having the right tools makes following the rules a whole lot easier. You don’t need a massive kit; you just need the right essentials.

The “Must-Haves” for every trip

• [ ] The trowel: A lightweight, dedicated garden trowel. Don’t rely on sticks or rocks to dig your catholes.
• [ ] The poop kit: A heavy-duty Ziploc or a dedicated “wag bag.” Include a few extra squares of toilet paper and a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
• [ ] Reusable containers: Ditch the original food packaging. Repackage everything into silicone or reusable plastic bags at home to cut weight and trash.
• [ ] A “trash pack-out” bag: A dedicated, sealable bag (or a repurposed bread bag) specifically for your trash. Keep it easily accessible in your pack so you don’t lose anything on the trail.
• [ ] Navigation tools: A physical map and a compass, even if you’re using a GPS app. Batteries die, but paper maps don’t.
• [ ] A compact camp stove: Using a stove instead of building a fire is the #1 way to minimize your impact.

For the “Pro-Level” minimalist

• [ ] A headlamp with spare batteries: Being able to see at night prevents clumsy accidents that lead to off-trail wandering.
• [ ] A lightweight sit pad: When you stop for lunch, don’t clear a spot of vegetation. Throw down a thin foam pad to protect the ground beneath you.
• [ ] Multi-tool: Useful for minor repairs to gear so you don’t have to leave broken plastic or metal parts behind.
• [ ] Handheld binoculars: Essential for checking out wildlife from a respectful, non-stressful distance.

The pre-trip “Safety Check”

• [ ] Permits: Did you print them? (Or save the digital copy offline).
• [ ] Weather check: Did you check the forecast specifically for your elevation?
• [ ] Regulations: Did you verify if there is an active burn ban for the area?