The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Alright what are the Seven Principle of Leave No Trace? Find out down below in this post.

But remember that Leave No Trace is an ethic. It isn't a law. It isn't the tell-tell all of being outdoors. But it sure would help to make the outdoors more enjoyable if everyone out there developed their ethic to make the lands last for generations.

If you want to learn more about any of the principles, just come out April 18 and visit with us. Or visit Leave No Trace's website.


The first principle of a Leave No Trace outdoor ethic is Plan Ahead and Prepare.

I find that this principle is first because if followed you won't leave a trace and the other principles just happen.

So lets look at what Plan Ahead and Prepare means when getting ready to go outdoors and have some fun.

So, lnt.org has a bulleted list to begin with:

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.

Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.

Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.

Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.

Repackage food to minimize waste.

Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

The second principle of Leave No Trace is Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.

Traveling and camping on durable surfaces can go along way to avoid areas from being shut down. You know those signs all over parks and recreation area that say, "Give plants a chance, stay on trails." Well it is because when you aren't responsible about where you are going, it is noticeable; especially in the arid desert.

Here's the bulleted list from lnt.org:

• Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. altering a site is not necessary.
• In popular areas:
• Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
• Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
• keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
• Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
• Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

So on to the third principle: Dispose of Waste Properly.

Does a bear poop in the woods? Of course and nature will call to you too.

This principle will help to cut down on the spread of disease and trash through the outdoors. 

Here is the list from lnt.org:

• Pack it in, pack it out.
• Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods.
• Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

The fourth principle is Leave What You Find.

You'd think this one is pretty self explanatory, but yet every year land management deals with theft of artifacts, wildlife, plants and more.

I think the example of Petrified Forest National Park is the sad, yet perfect, example of this. Visitors were originally allowed (or it wasn't frowned upon) to take a piece of petrified wood from the park. After a few years the management realized that much of the draw for the park had traveled to various regions of the world and wasn't in the park anymore.

Don't take things from outdoors; other's are coming along to see it as well.

Here's the list from lnt.org:

• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Now for the fifth principle of Leave No Trace: Minimize Campfire Impact.

Nothing says camping more than a campfire and s'mores, but that doesn't mean the next people coming along or your camping neighbors need to know exactly how large your fire is.

This principles helps to eliminate leftover ashes, destruction of rock and trees, and just general good ethics of fires.

Here are the bullets from lnt.org:

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Usa lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

The sixth principle of Leave No Trace is Respect Wildlife.

Another that should make sense to people, but animals are continuously harassed to death; many times in ways people don't realize they are doing it.

This is where animals live. The outdoors are not a zoo where people come to give the animals their food each night. They have to find it. 

Many animals are chased by careless visitors (so they can get a photo, shed hunt, etc.), and the animals use the energy they need to hunt.

Leave them be. These are wild animals and not zoo animals, don't feed either. They can't digest your food and then they forget how to get food naturally.

Here's the lnt.org bulleted list:

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

And the last principle is Be Considerate of Other Visitors.

They put this one last because if you follow the other principles, this one will happen. There are some points specifically to this principle, but for the most part people going outdoors need to realize they aren't the only ones out there.

The outdoors are for everyone to enjoy, not just a select few. Everyone has their own idea of what they want out there and no one is right in what it means to be outdoors, but everyone is allowed to be there.

Here's the list for this principle from lnt.org:

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

If everyone was willing to follow these guidelines, the outdoors could be enjoyed by everyone for generations.

The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. This copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org