Leave No Trace: 7 Principles Every Hiker Should Know

The Leave No Trace (LNT) principles are the ethical foundation of responsible outdoor recreation. Developed through a partnership between the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, and the National Outdoor Leadership School, these seven principles guide millions of hikers in minimizing their impact on natural environments. ## Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare Proper planning prevents situations that lead to environmental damage and safety emergencies. Research your destination thoroughly: trail conditions, weather forecast, regulations, group size limits, and required permits. Know the terrain and potential hazards. Bring appropriate gear to avoid improvising with natural materials. Plan your meals to minimize food waste and packaging. Repackage food into reusable containers before your trip. Schedule trips to avoid peak times when possible, reducing crowding and trail wear. Poor planning leads to shortcuts: leaving the trail when lost, building fires in unsafe locations, and abandoning gear. Each of these damages the environment. A well-prepared hiker rarely needs to compromise LNT principles. ## Principle 2: Travel on Durable Surfaces Concentrated trail use on established paths minimizes overall ecosystem impact. Stay on designated trails even when they are muddy or puddle-filled. Walking around mud puddles widens trails and damages adjacent vegetation. Use established campsites rather than creating new ones. On trails, walk single file in the center of the path. In areas above treeline or in desert environments where trails may not be established, spread out to prevent creating new trails. Walk on rock, sand, gravel, dry grasses, or snow rather than on fragile vegetation or biological soil crusts. Biological soil crusts (the dark, bumpy crust found in desert environments) take decades to form and are destroyed by a single footstep. In desert hiking, staying on established trails or walking on rock is critical. ## Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly Pack it in, pack it out. This applies to everything including food scraps, wrappers, toilet paper, and hygiene products. Fruit peels, nut shells, and food scraps are commonly left behind with the assumption they are biodegradable. In many environments, these items take months to years to decompose, attract wildlife to trails, and are visually polluting. For human waste in backcountry areas, dig a cathole 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. Pack out toilet paper in a sealed bag or use natural alternatives. In some sensitive areas (narrow canyons, snow-covered terrain, alpine zones), all waste must be packed out using wag bags. Wash dishes and yourself at least 200 feet from water sources. Use small amounts of biodegradable soap, and scatter strained dishwater broadly. ## Principle 4: Leave What You Find Preserve the natural environment for those who follow you. Do not pick wildflowers, collect rocks, remove historical artifacts, or build cairns or structures. These actions seem small individually but become significant when thousands of visitors each take a small piece. Leave natural objects as you find them. Do not hammer nails into trees, carve initials, or create lean-to structures from fallen branches. If you move rocks to cross a stream, consider returning them afterward. Cultural artifacts, including arrowheads, pottery shards, and old structures, are protected by federal law. Leave them in place and report significant finds to land managers. ## Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts Campfires cause lasting damage when not managed properly. Use established fire rings, fire grates, or mound fires where fires are permitted. Keep fires small and use only dead, downed wood that can be broken by hand. Never cut branches from standing trees, even dead ones, as they provide habitat for wildlife. Where fires are not recommended or during high fire danger, use a lightweight camp stove for cooking. Stoves are faster, more controllable, and leave no trace. If you build a fire, burn all wood and coals to white ash, then scatter the cooled ashes broadly. Drown and stir coals until cold to the touch before leaving. Many popular hiking areas now have permanent fire bans during dry seasons. Check current fire restrictions before your trip. ## Principle 6: Respect Wildlife Observe wildlife from a distance and never feed wild animals. Feeding wildlife alters natural behaviors, makes animals dependent on human food, and can make them aggressive. A fed animal often becomes a dead animal, as wildlife managers must remove habituated animals that pose safety risks. Store food properly using bear canisters, bear bags hung from trees, or food lockers provided at campsites. Even in areas without bears, raccoons, squirrels, and birds can destroy gear and scatter food waste. Keep at least 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from bears and wolves. Use binoculars or telephoto lenses for close-up views. Never position yourself between a mother and her young. Do not pursue or chase wildlife for photographs. If an animal changes its behavior because of your presence, you are too close. ## Principle 7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors Courtesy on the trail enhances everyone's experience. Yield appropriately: uphill hikers have the right of way. Horses have the right of way over hikers and bikers. Step to the downhill side of the trail and speak calmly to avoid startling horses. Keep noise levels respectful. The sounds of nature are why many people hike. If you want music, use headphones. Avoid shouting across long distances. Take breaks on durable surfaces off the trail. Control pets at all times, and clean up after them. Camp away from trails and other visitors to preserve the sense of solitude. ## Making LNT Part of Your Practice Leave No Trace is not a set of rigid rules but a mindset of minimal impact. Apply these principles thoughtfully based on the specific environment and conditions. In popular areas with thousands of annual visitors, strict adherence is critical. In remote areas, the principles still apply but specific practices may vary. Teach LNT to new hikers and children. Modeling good behavior is the most effective form of education. When we each minimize our individual impact, the collective effect preserves these wild places for generations to come.