 The Leave No Trace Principles might seem unimportant until one considers the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone's responsibility.
The LNT Principles of Outdoor Ethics form the framework of LNT's message. Eco-tourists, especially campers, must keep these principles in mind before they venture out into relatively undisturbed natural areas.
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Plan ahead and prepare:
Know the regulations and special concerns of the area you plan to visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, or flagging.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces:
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.
In pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
 Dispose of waste properly:
Pack it in and 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 cat-holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from
water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cat-hole 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.
Leave what you find:
Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and
artefacts.
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.
Minimize campfire impacts:
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a 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.
Respect Wildlife:
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural
behaviours, 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.
 Be considerate to other visitors:
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 sound prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
Related Links:
Elephant rides in the jungle:
Wild Destinations Page of
WildVentures:
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