Leave No Trace Principles

The wilderness offers adventure, introspection, and personal growth, but with that privilege comes responsibility. The Leave No Trace (LNT) principles guide everyone—day hikers, thru-hikers, and all outdoor enthusiasts—to minimize their impact on natural spaces. For those of us who spend weeks or months on fragile trails, LNT guidelines are especially critical.

The 7 core principles of Leave No Trace cover trip planning, waste disposal, wildlife respect, and more. Mastering them isn’t simply following “rules”; it’s about ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same pristine landscapes we explore today.

Table of Contents

1. Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Principle 2: Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Principle 4: Leave What You Find
5. Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impact
6. Principle 6: Respect Wildlife
7. Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors
8. Common LNT Myths & FAQs
9. Conclusion & Additional Resources

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Good planning cuts down on environmental damage and emergencies. For thru-hikers covering multiple jurisdictions, thorough research is crucial.

• Research Rules: Be aware of permit rules, group size limits, campfire regulations, and closures. Breaking local rules can harm sensitive areas.
• Prepare for Conditions: The right gear (footwear, layers, reliable shelter) helps avoid emergency fires or impromptu shelters that damage habitats.
• Avoid Peak Times: If possible, plan for off-peak days or seasons to lessen crowding and campsite strain.
• Meal Packaging: Pre-portion and repackage food to reduce trash—and the likelihood of accidental litter.

2. Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

Concentrating foot traffic and camps on hardy surfaces prevents destruction of delicate flora and soil.

• Stick to the Trail: Don’t cut switchbacks; that can speed erosion and vegetation damage.
• Use Established Sites: Camp where vegetation is already worn, sparing pristine areas.
• Durable Surfaces: Rock, gravel, dry grass, or snow withstand trampling better than fragile tundra, wetlands, or cryptobiotic soil.
• 200 Feet from Water: Keep campsites at least 200 feet (~70 paces) away from lakes and streams to protect water sources.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

Trash and human waste are two of the biggest impacts hikers leave. Proper disposal keeps these areas clean and safe.

• Pack It Out: Remove all your trash, including wrappers, bottle caps, and any micro-litter.
• Human Waste: In many places, dig a cathole 6–8 inches deep, 200 feet from water and trail. Some areas require packing out waste via WAG bags.
• Dishwater & Food Scraps: Strain dish water to remove food particles, then broadcast the water 200 feet from water sources.
• Avoid Burning Trash: Foil, plastic, and other materials rarely burn fully, leaving harmful residue and fumes.

4. Leave What You Find

Natural and cultural features should remain for others to discover and for ecosystems to function.

• Limit Site Alterations: Refrain from building seats or digging trenches unless absolutely required for safety.
• Keep Nature Natural: Rocks, antlers, shells — all these have roles in their environment. Removing them disturbs the system.
• Archaeological Items: Artifacts like arrow heads or pottery should remain untouched. Photograph them, but don’t remove.
• Avoid Spreading Invasives: Clean gear and boots to prevent transporting seeds or pathogens.

5. Minimize Campfire Impact

Campfires can add to the experience, but mishandled fires leave scars on the land or start wildfires.

• Stoves vs. Fires: Lightweight backpacking stoves often fulfill cooking needs with less ecological risk.
• Use Existing Fire Rings: Where fires are permitted, stick to established rings instead of creating new ones.
• Collect Small Wood: Use dead wood no bigger than your wrist that you can break by hand. Don’t cut live vegetation.
• Burn Completely & Scatter Ashes: Let fuel burn to ash, douse, stir, feel for heat, then scatter cool ashes well away from camp.

6. Respect Wildlife

Observing wildlife can be a highlight of hiking, but getting too close or offering food can harm animals and endanger hikers.

• Keep Distance: Use binoculars or zoom lenses. Approaching too closely stresses animals and can prompt defensive behaviors.
• Secure Food: Hang or canister your provisions in bear country. Feeding wildlife—even accidentally—alters their natural feeding habits.
• Seasonal Awareness: Learn about breeding and nesting times to avoid disturbing critical life stages.
• Control Pets: If pets are allowed, keep them on leash so they don’t chase or scare wildlife.

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

The outdoors is for everyone. A courteous approach fosters a more positive experience for all.

• Minimize Noise: Keep music low or use headphones. Many folks seek tranquility away from city noise.
• Yielding: Uphill hikers typically have the right-of-way. Equestrians may have precedence on multi-use trails, depending on local guidelines.
• Camp Spacing: If possible, don’t pitch near other groups. Privacy and solitude are part of many hikers’ goals.
• Evening Quiet Hours: “Hiker midnight” can start at dusk. Keep voices and gear-clanging minimal to respect others’ rest.

Common LNT Myths & FAQs

• Myth: “Burying trash is fine.” Buried trash doesn’t disappear; wildlife can dig it up, and it degrades slowly or not at all.
• Myth: “A fire pit fixes everything.”Fires can still leave behind foil scraps, half-burnt plastic, and scars on the land.
• FAQ: “Pack out toilet paper?” Many regions want you to. Where catholes are permitted, plain, unscented TP may be buried, but confirm local rules.
• FAQ: “What if someone else ignores LNT?”Lead by example. Offer friendly reminders if appropriate, but avoid confrontation.

Conclusion & Additional Resources

Leave No Trace is less about rigid rules and more about a mindset of stewardship. By following these principles, thru-hikers and all adventurers help preserve the wild places we cherish. To learn more or get LNT trainer certification, visit the official Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. You can also head to Hiker Resources for more on sustainable backcountry practices.

Note: Always verify local rules on fires, bear canisters, or campsite quotas to reduce your footprint. Preserving wild spaces ensures they remain available for future generations of explorers.