To help build awareness and provide a set of guidelines on how to behave in and treat the outdoors, the US Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management came together in the 1980s to form the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The highlight of this organization was the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace that detail proper etiquette and an outdoor ethical code when exploring the wilderness.

These seven principles are the best practices when spending time outside, outlining how to treat nature respectfully. If you choose to spend time outdoors, you are choosing to abide by this code.

In these following seven ways, we can take care of the Earth, show respect and gratitude for the environment, and preserve it for future generations and for the sustainability of life itself on this planet.

The best way to go into the mindset of Leave No Trace is to uphold the mentality that you have both a relationship and friendship with Nature:—one in which you put in work to foster and cherish. It is a give-and-take relationship, not one where you get to enjoy all the perks of enjoying the outdoors without fulfilling your end of the deal. And, your end of the deal is… leaving no trace. Basically: Ninja mode, okay?

As the precious boy scout in the Pixar film, Up, says, “The wilderness must be explored!” but it must also always be respected! Here are the seven principles of leaving no trace.

The Seven Leave No Trace Principles

Plan Ahead and Prepare

The first part of leaving no trace begins before you even set foot in the wilderness. It is about coming in prepared, aware, knowledgeable, and equipped for the chosen adventure. If you do not enter the wilderness prepared to be self-sufficient and ready to manage your impact on the environment, you are acting selfishly and carelessly. You are completely responsible for the actions you take, and if you are ill-prepared, you put yourself, those around you, park rangers, and the outdoors area at risk.

• Be aware of recent, current, and future weather conditions, temperature, water levels, and seasonal conditions (Are flash floods common this time of year?)

• Choose outdoor adventures that are realistic and appropriate for the level of ability for all participants.

• Be informed of the area’s regulations, rules, and recommendations. Knowledge and prior research is key.

• Choose equipment, clothing, and food that will leave no trace when used outside.

• Minimize your group size and gear.

Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

Remember, your job is to minimize any lasting impact on the earth you travel on. It can sound tempting and adventurous to wander off the beaten path and blaze your own trail in the outdoors. But this action—when taken by the many recreational participants that come and go—creates wear and tear, overuse, and damage to the natural landscape over time. Soil erosion is defined as the erosion of the top layer of dirt known as topsoil, the fertile material vital to life. Our wandering feet break down life on the surface of the earth, wearing down the ecosystem. Therefore, choose your steps with care.

• Stay on the trail and on durable surfaces, which include rock, sand, gravel, ice, and snow. What not to walk on: any vegetation, topsoil/living soil, or desert water. This means even when the trail is not in ideal conditions (such as being very muddy), you should still stay on the trail.

• Camp on durable surfaces.

• Camp 200 feet (70 adult steps away) from natural water sources to avoid contaminating water.

• Remember: Ideally, campsites are found, not made. Trying to minimize the spread and impact of use and travel over a greater natural area is the goal, so keep campsites as small as possible on already-used sites when in a popular, high-use area.

Dispose of Waste Properly

The most obvious leave no trace principle: leave nothing behind. Pack-in, pack-out. There is nothing that you could leave behind that would make Nature a better place; she is a strong, independent individual that doesn’t want anything from you. So, what you bring in better be coming back with you in some shape or form. This is critical to the health and preservation of Nature, as well as respectful to other nature-lovers.

• Thoroughly check your campsite and/or area of rest to ensure that you have left no belongings or trash. 

• By planning ahead, you can avoid bringing food or things that involve a lot of plastic, bagging, or packaging.

• Pack minimally.

• Bring your own garbage bag.

• If you are washing dishes, even with biodegradable soap, stay 200 feet from natural water resources.

• When called, deposit any human waste in catholes 6-8 inches deep, at least 200 feet away from any water source. Carry out your own toilet paper.

Leave What You Find

The opposite of the prior principle: What you find out there in Nature, should stay out there in Nature. This is not a gift shop!

• Leave everything as you found it: rocks, plants, trees, campsites (or leave it even better if someone else left behind trash).

• Do not touch or alter objects of historical and cultural value.

• Don’t dig, carve trees, snap branches, or build structures with rocks or wood. Even picking flowers, as harmless and tempting as it sounds, is detrimental to the environment (Imagine if every person who came by did the same…What would be left?)

• Don’t use living trees or plants as firewood or fuel, only dead.

• Avoid introducing non-native species. Some trailheads have scuffing pads for your hiking boots to quickly brush off your boots before and after a hike.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

When camping and spending time in the backcountry, fires are often needed for warmth and cooking. They are completely fine in many environments; however, you will need to check beforehand because they can often be banned due to potential risk factors. You cannot assume that campfires are always allowed.

• Be aware of whether campfires are permitted in a specific area.

• Camp stoves are highly encouraged; they can be lightweight, fast, convenient, low-risk, and environmentally-friendly. They are pack-in, pack-out, and do not create the surrounding impact that campfires do, with ashes, risk factors, fuel, etc.

• If light is needed, opt to use a lantern over a fire.

• Use only dead and down wood for a campfire—nothing intact or growing!

• Put out campfires completely before stepping away, whether to sleep for the night or after day use.

Check out our 19 camping tips for beginners.

Respect Wildlife

The next essential way to be kind to nature is to show respect to all living creatures. The first (and most important) rule when it comes to wildlife is to just keep your distance, and do not interact. They are wildlife and should be considered as such, no matter how beautiful or interesting they are. There should be no encouragement of habituating or normalizing interaction between us and wildlife. (Read a sad example here.)

• Maintain distance and observe all wildlife from a distance. Do not approach or get in close for a “better look.” You are endangering not only yourself, but the wild animal, too. If you approach and, feeling threatened, they react/attack defensively, you have selfishly created a situation where your own safety is now endangered. If the animal is now viewed as a threat, action may be taken against them.

• The rule of thumb: The “safe distance” is at the point where you can cover the entire wild animal with your thumb. Typically, this distance is about 25 yards from most wildlife, and 100 yards from large wildlife.

• Never feed animals. You are doing them the opposite of kindness when you contribute to the link between humans and tasty treats. This also means storing your own rations carefully: out of reach, sight, and smell from all wildlife.

• Dispose of your trash properly. Use the bear-proof trash containers that are often placed in parks.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

The seventh golden rule of leaving no trace is more than about being a good visitor in Nature’s playground. It is about cultivating a friendly, respectful, and courteous atmosphere for other visitors around you.  Much of it comes down to good manners and common sense, but here are a few tips to keep in mind; remember that you are sharing this wonderful world!

• Keep your voice level and subdued; do not raise voices or blast music. Nature is a respite and has her own beautiful music, if you will only listen. And if you will not listen—well, other people are.

• Control your pets. Keep them on leash if necessary and keep them close to you.

• Downhill hikers yield to uphill hikers.

• Yield to horseback riders and speak quietly as they pass, as horses are easily frightened.

• Respect other people’s experience in Nature; do not let your experience impede others! The world does not revolve around you and your good time.

There you have it!

The seven principles are meant to guide you as you explore the wilderness and to ensure lasting beauty and sustainability of nature and the outdoors. Make it a personal responsibility to proactively follow these principles, and spread awareness of respectful behaviors and actions. 

If we can abide by these seven leave no trace principles, we ensure that we are doing our part and giving back, just as Nature takes care of us in providing such an extraordinary and life-giving environment. 

• Check out our 8 trail etiquette principles to know before heading out on a hike.

• Here is the official National Park System’s breakdown of the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

• Check out this awesome resource from the World Wildlife Fund for inspiring daily actions you can take.