The Principles
Principle One: Plan ahead and prepare yourself accordingly. This is an important principle to keep in mind when planning a trip into the outdoors. Take steps to reduce the environmental impact of your trip by researching and choosing a low-impact camping spot, learning about weather and avalanche conditions, bringing proper equipment (such as bear canisters and cooking stoves), and preparing for any hazards you may encounter on the trail. This will help ensure that you leave no trace of your visit.
Principle Two: Make sure to travel and camp on durable surfaces and away from riparian areas. Walk and camp on surfaces that will not be disturbed by your presence. This means avoiding fragile ecosystems like meadows and wet areas and using designated hiking trails and campsites when possible. If you can’t find an existing route, stay on rock surfaces or established soil trails.
Principle Three: Dispose of your waste properly. That includes human waste and any garbage waste that you produce. Dispose of human waste by burying it properly or packing it out. If you’re camping, use established facilities whenever possible. If an established facility isn’t available, make sure to dig a hole at least eight inches deep and over 200 feet away from waterways. Carry out all trash, leftover food, and litter—even biodegradable material. If you pack it in, then you need to pack it out.
Principle Four: Leave what you find. It can be tempting to want to bring home momentos of our trips outdoors, but this can have an adverse effect on the environment. If everyone who visited national parks and public lands collected things to bring home, then it would disrupt the natural order of things. Leaving things where you found them allows the plants and animals to continue to thrive in their natural habitat.
Principle Five: Minimize campfire impacts. A lightweight stove is a good alternative to cooking on a campfire. Only make fires when permitted to do so and keep them inside designated fire rings. Purchase firewood locally to stop the spread of invasive insects that can damage forests. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving.
Principle Six: Respect wildlife. View and photograph wildlife from a distance and do not approach or disturb them. Do not feed wildlife, and be sure to store food properly so critters can’t get to it.
Principle Seven: Be considerate of other visitors. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of visitor experience. Refrain from motorized activities, making excessive noise, and having large groups in sensitive areas.
