Leave No Trace: 7 Principles Guiding Responsible Recreation

Leave No Trace is a framework of seven principles that guide responsible recreation. These principles empower everyone to enjoy the outdoors while taking care of the wild places we love..

At BearVault, we have integrated Leave No Trace principles into everything we do—from our canister designs to our partnerships and education efforts. We work closely with the Leave No Trace organization to share best practices and help people recreate responsibly.

Together, we can protect the outdoor experience.

We’re always looking for new ways to share Leave No Trace education in the backcountry.

Watch a recent project we did together. A fun and informative video explaining the dos and don’ts of protecting both the animals and your food!

| How to Leave No Trace in the Backcountry

Follow these simple practices to protect wildlife, wild spaces, and future adventures.

🧭 Plan Ahead: Know the rules, prepare for safety and reduce waste.

🥾 Travel + Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stay on trails & camp on resilient terrain.

🚮 Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it out, even your TP.

🌼 Leave What You Find: Don’t pick it, carve it, or move it.

🔥 Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use a stove, not a fire—especially in dry zones.

🐻 Respect Wildlife: Observe quietly. Store food securely.

🫶 Be Considerate of Others: Share the trail, camp out of sight, keep it quiet.

| Bear Canisters = LNT
Proper food storage is a critical part of LNT— it helps prevent habituated wildlife encounters, keeps ecosystems healthy, and protects your ability to keep adventuring in wild places.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Planning is the foundation of a safe and Leave No Trace–friendly trip. When you prepare well, you protect yourself and the wild places you love. Poor planning can lead to uncomfortable or even dangerous trips, while also contributing to lasting harm to land, water, wildlife, and cultural sites.

| Ranger Insight: We’ve seen campers hike into remote terrain, only to break fire bans or stash their trash because they didn’t know the rules or plan for alternatives. It’s not just about personal safety — it’s about responsibility.

Why Is Trip Planning Important

Ensures the safety of the group and yourself
Helps you minimize your impact on natural and cultural resources
Makes the trip more enjoyable and less stressful
Boosts self-confidence and creates opportunities to learn more about nature

6 Key Things to Consider Before Your Trip

Set your goals and expectations
Know your group's skills and limitations
Research the area you're visiting thoroughly. Maps, park rules, and land managers are great resources!
Choose gear and clothing that are comfortable, safe, and low-impact
Plan activities that match your group's goals and abilities
Reflect after the trip. What would you do differently next time? And be sure to write down what you loved about your trip!

Don’t Forget to Plan For…

Weather and terrain
Water sources and filtration needs
Private land boundaries
Food waste (leftovers = trace = trace!)
Group size and park rules
Fire bans or stoves-only zones
Low-impact meals like one-pot dishes and cold soak options

| Pro Tip: A stove leaves no trace—and two small backpacking stoves can do the job for large groups. Skip the firewood.

Gear Tips For Low-Impact Trips

Ditch bulky packaging: repackage meals into reusable zip-top bags before your trip
Pack it in, pack it out: Empty bags can nest inside each other and be reused at home
Go light: less weight means less strain—and less impact on the land

Examples of Poor Planning

A group that is inexperienced or unfamiliar with the geography of an area may put people at risk by traveling through areas susceptible to flash floods or along ridge tops vulnerable to lightning activity.

A group brings food to cook over a fire—only to find a fire ban in effect. They built one anyway, damaging the land and violating regulations.
Backpackers in desert terrain forget to carry enough water—or a way to treat it. Dehydration and resource strain follow
A group misjudged the trail conditions, arriving at camp late and tired, pitching tents in an unsafe or sensitive area.

| Lesson Learned: Poor planning doesn't just affect your comfort—it can lead to broken laws, damaged ecosystems, and real danger.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

The Goal is to move through natural spaces while avoiding harm to the land or waterways. Trampled vegetation and eroded soil can take decades to recover—thoughtful travel makes a lasting difference.

Travel On Trails

Stick to designated trails to prevent erosion and the creation of unnecessary side paths
Stay within trail width—no switchback shortcuts (trail zigzags that climb hillsides)
Rest off to the side in durable spots
Keep your voice low—nature isn’t a concert venue

| BearVault Tip: If you need to go off-trail for breaks, follow the same guidelines for remote travel—respect the surfaces, stay quiet, and leave no trace.

Off-Trail Travel: Know Your Impact

Sometimes you simply have to be off-trail—accessing remote areas or searching for bathroom privacy. This is when surface durability and group size matter most

What to do:

Spread out when walking off-trail to avoid creating new paths
Travel on durable surfaces whenever possible
Avoid fragile vegetation and steep slopes where damage is magnified

Surface Durability Guide

The concept of durability is an important one for all backcountry travelers to understand. The natural surfaces described below respond differently to backcountry travel.

Rock, sand and gravel: These surfaces are highly durable and can tolerate repeated trampling and scuffing. (However, lichens that grow on rocks are vulnerable to repeated scuffing).

Ice and snow: The effect of travel across these surfaces is temporary, making them good choices for travel assuming good safety precautions are followed and the snow layer is of sufficient depth to prevent vegetation damage.

Vegetation: The resistance of vegetation to trampling varies. Careful decisions must be made when traveling across vegetation. Select areas of durable vegetation, or sparse vegetation that is easily avoided. Dry grasses tend to be resistant to trampling. Wet meadows and other fragile vegetation quickly show the effects of trampling. Trampling ensures new travelers to take the same route and leads to undesirable trail derailment. As a general rule, travelers who must venture off-trail should spread out to avoid creating paths that encourage others to follow. Avoid vegetation whenever possible, especially on steep slopes where the effects of off-trail travel are magnified.

Living soil: Sometimes referred to as ͞cryptobiotic crust,͟ or ͞crypto,͟ living soil is often found in desert environments, and is extremely vulnerable to foot traffic. Living soil consists of tiny communities of organisms that appear as a blackish and irregular raised crust upon the sand. This crust retains moisture in desert climates and provides a protective layer, preventing erosion. One footstep can destroy this fragile soil. It is important to use developed trails in these areas. Travel across living soil should only be done when absolutely necessary. Walk on rocks or other durable surfaces if you must travel off-trail. In broad areas of living soil where damage is unavoidable it is best to follow in one another’s footsteps so the smallest area of crust is affected, exactly the opposite rule from travel through vegetation. Living soil is also extremely vulnerable to mountain bicycle travel.

Desert puddles and mud holes: Water is a preciously scarce resource for all living things in the desert. Don’t walk through desert puddles, mud holes or disturb surface water in any way. Potholes are also home to tiny desert animals.

Camping on Durable Surfaces

Choosing the right campsite is one of the most important ways to reduce your impact in the backcountry. It requires good judgment and sometimes trade-offs—such as balancing solitude with minimizing your impact on fragile vegetation or wildlife. Camp on durable surfaces such as rock, gravel, or dry grass, and be mindful of the wear your group may cause. The goal is to leave the area as undisturbed as you found it—or better.

High Use Areas

When camping in busy or popular areas, your goal is to concentrate use—not spread it. Choose sites that are already well-worn to avoid damaging new areas, and focus your activity within that footprint. These zones have often already lost vegetation, so careful reuse won’t worsen the impact.

Camp at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) from water sources & trails
Use already impacted campsites—look for bare ground, rock or sand
Avoid fragile or out-of-the-way spots just for the sake of solitude
Set up tents, kitchens, & footpaths within the already disturbed zone
Leave it better: clean up & make it welcoming for the next group

| Planning Note: Leave extra time at the end of your day to find a low-impact site. Fatigue isn’t an excuse for poor choices.

Camping in Undisturbed Remote Areas

In remote or less traveled places, your priority is to disperse impact —avoiding any long-term traces of your stay. These environments are more fragile and can take years to recover from even a single night of camping.

Camp on durable surfaces like dry grasses, sand, or rock—never on lush vegetation or crytobiotic soil (a fragile, living crust that’s easily damaged)
Choose a different site each night to avoid creating a new permanent campsite
Keep campsites small and blend in with the natural landscape
Avoid places that show no prior use—especially sensitive meadows, wetlands, or tundra
Plan ahead so you arrive with enough time to scout a durable, low-impact site
Before you leave, look around: can someone tell you they camped there? If yes, undo those signs.

Camping in River Corridors

River corridors are narrow strips of land and water with limited space to accommodate human activities.

Campsites are often designated. It is generally best to camp on established sites located on beaches, sandbars or non-vegetated sites below the high-water line.

Dispose of Waste Properly

What you leave behind matters. LNT encouraged everyone to consider the impacts they leave behind, and how they affect other people, water, and wildlife. Human and trash waste can pollute water, harm wildlife, and ruin the backcountry experience for others. Follow these practices to keep nature clean and thriving.

Human Waste

Proper disposal of human waste is crucial to prevent pollution of water sources, avoid the negative implications of others finding it, minimize the risk of spreading disease, and maximize the rate of decomposition.

In most locations, burying human feces is the most effective solution. However, some places, such as the Narrow River Canyons, require solid human waste to be packed out. Yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like.

| Know Before You Go: Be sure to check regulations for the area(s) you are traveling in

Several EPA-approved, commercially produced pack-out systems are available, making them easy to use and sanitary for backpacking/hiking use. Other systems (including reusable, washable toilet systems) are bulkier and may be better suited for paddling/rafting trips.

| A Look Into The Future: As more and more people enjoy parks and protected areas every year, packing out human waste is likely to become a more common practice to ensure long-term sustainability of our shared lands.

Cat Holes

Nature’s most important 6-inch hole.

When allowed. A well-dug cat hole remains the gold standard for when nature calls in the backcountry.

Must be located at least 200 feet from water, trails, and camp.
Find a discreet spot where other people are unlikely to walk or camp.
Dig 6-8 inches deep in rich soil (not sand or gravel).
Choose sunny, out-of-the-way spots—sun helps speed up decomposition.
When done, cover the area completely and disguise it with natural materials. Don’t go to the same place twice.

“It may not be glamorous, but it’s one of the most respectful things you can do outdoors.”

Latrines

Although cat holes are recommended for most situations, there are times when latrines may be more suitable.

Staying put, camping with children, or a group? Dig a shared latrine. Add a handful of soil after each use to reduce odor and aid decomposition. This keeps the impact contained and avoids a minefield of individual cat holes.

Ask your land manager about latrine-building techniques.

Toilet Paper

Even if you bury it, toilet paper takes time to decompose—especially in arid or alpine environments. And wildlife will dig it up long before it breaks down.

Use plain, white TP or natural materials like smooth stones or snow.
Pack out all wipes, tampons, pads, and TP in a sealed bag.
Never burn TP—it’s a wildfire risk and doesn’t fully disappear.

Tampons

Tampons and other feminine products should be packed out in a sealed plastic bag. They don’t decompose easily and can be dug up by curious animals if buried. Campfires don’t burn hot enough to dispose of them completely, either.

Urine

Urine isn’t as harmful as solid waste—but it can still attract wildlife. Salt-starved animals will chew on gear, boots, and even soil to get to it.

Pee on rocks or gravel, not plants. It’s less likely to attract wildlife
Dilute with water to help minimize negative effects.

Other Forms of Waste

Trash + Food Waste

“Pack it in, Pack it out” is a familiar mantra to seasoned backcountry visitors. Any user of recreation lands has a responsibility to clean up before they leave. Trash doesn’t just disappear.

Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled food. From a plastic wrapper fluttering into the wind to an apple core tossed behind a rock, trash changes the landscape. Even “natural” food waste can attract wildlife, introduce invasive species, and alter animal behavior.

Pack out everything—including cigarette butts, fishing line, orange peel or pistachio shells…it’s all litter!
Plan meals that don’t generate excessive trash or smelly garbage.
Clean up before you leave. Carry plastic bags to haul your trash (and maybe someone else’s). Leave your site cleaner than you found it.

| Even a crust of bread is enough to teach a bear bad habits

Wastewater

Keep soap and scraps out of waterways.
Soap, even biodegradable kinds, can disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Food particles attract animals. Both can ruin the wilderness feel for others.

Carry water 200 feet away from lakes, rivers, or streams.
Strain your dishwater to remove food bits—pack those out.
Scatter water over a wide area, not in one spot.
Use little to no soap. Hot water and friction usually do the trick.

Soaps, Sunscreens, and Lotions

Just because it's biodegradable doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
Even biodegradable soaps can affect the water quality of lakes and streams, so minimize their use

Rinse 200+ feet away from water sources and use water carried in a pot or jug.
Use small amounts, and skip them altogether when you can.
Be extra careful in deserts and alpine zones where water is scarce and delicate
Think twice before swimming in creeks or potholes: lotion, sunscreen, insect repellent, and body oils can contaminate these vital water sources.

Leave What You Find

The wild is full of surprise and story. When we leave nature intact, we offer the next visitor that same spark of discovery. Whether it’s an antler, a wildflower, or a cool-looking stone, the best thing you can do is admire it…and then walk away.

Preserve The Story of The Land:

Don’t take natural objects like antlers, rocks, petrified wood, or flowers. These are part of the ecosystem and contribute to the overall experience for others.
Minimize alterations—don’t build furniture or structures (like tables, trenches, or lean-tos), and if you move rocks or pinecones from your campsite, replace them before you leave.
Avoid damaging live plants and trees. Don’t carve initials into bark, cut branches for bedding, or tie guy lines around trunks. Even small actions can harm or kill trees.

Cultural Artifacts Are Not Souvenirs:

If it looks historic, it probably is. Pottery shards, arrowheads, rock walls, and even old bottles are protected by law.
Do not touch or move artifacts. Under the Archeological Resources Protection Act, disturbing or collecting cultural items is illegal on public lands.
Lest the past rest where it’s been for generations. Take a photo and leave the object!

| Good Campsites are found, not made.

Even in well-used areas, altering a site creates ripple effects. When in doubt, leave it how you found it—or a little better.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires have long been part of outdoor tradition, but in many places, they’re no longer the best or most sustainable option. The overuse of firewood and a growing demand for “the campfire experience” have led to lasting impacts on natural areas.

Today, lightweight backpacking stoves are the safer, cleaner alternative. They’re fast, reliable, leave no trace—and they work in almost any conditions.

Should You Build a Fire?

Before lighting a fire, ask yourself:

What’s the fire danger in the area where you’re camping?
Are fires even allowed? Many land agencies have restrictions.
Is wood abundant, or will removing it leave visible damage?
Are you in a fragile area—like an alpine or desert ecosystem, where wood sources grow slowly?
Do you or your group have the skills to build a fire that truly leaves no trace?

When in doubt, skip the fire. Use a stove instead

Best Practices for Low-Impact Campfires

If you do choose to build a fire:

Use an existing fire ring in a well-placed site.
Keep it small and only let it burn while you’re actively using it.
Let the wood burn completely to white ash.
Extinguish fires with water. Not dirt—dirt can leave smoldering coals behind.
Avoid building fires next to rock outcrops, where the black scars will remain for many years to come.

Fire Building Alternatives

If you’re in an area without a fire ring, try one of these Leave No Trace alternatives:

Mound Fires

Build a fire on top of a mound of mineral soil, not directly on the ground.

Tools: a trowel, ground cloth or garbage bag, and a stuff sack.
Source your soil from an already disturbed area, like a root hole.
Create a flat-topped mound 3-5 inches thick to protect the ground below.
After the fire, thoroughly clean up the area and return the soil to its original location.

Fire Pan

A fire pan is a portable metal container for building campfires off the ground

Use something like an oil drain pan or grill with 3-inch sides.
Elevate the pan on rocks or line it with mineral soil.
Great for river trips or anywhere fires are allowed, but the surfaces are fragile.

Gathering & Burning Firewood Responsibly

If collecting firewood is permitted:

Use only dead and down wood—never cut from standing trees, even if dead.
Collect small pieces (wrist thickness or smaller) that break by hand.
Don't strip branches or ring firewood home (it can spread pests).
Near water? Use dry driftwood if allowed.
Burn everything to ash, crush the leftover coals, soak them thoroughly with water, and scatter the remains well away from camp.
Scatter unused wood and neutral materials to restore the site's appearance.
Pack out trash-never burn plastic foil, or other non-natural items.

“We refer to them as the four Ds: dinky, dead, downed, and distant. That’s the only wood you should be using.” —Gary Huey

Safety

Supervise young people around fires or stoves.
Keep firewood and fuel away from open flames.
Use fuel containers designed for camping.
Follow all product and safety labels for stoves.
Never leave a fire unattended—and always double-check that it’s been properly extinguished.

Respect Wildlife

Every wild animal you encounter is simply trying to survive—and your presence, no matter how well-intentioned, can have consequences. From birds nesting in trees to bears searching for food, wildlife live with constant pressures. When we visit wild places, it’s our responsibility to move carefully and respectfully through their space.

That means keeping your distance, minimizing noise, storing food properly, and resisting the temptation to interact.

The best wildlife experiences are those that leave no trace for you and for the animals.

“A big part of respecting wildlife is storing your food properly. If a bear gets into your food once, they’re going to try again.” —Haley Toy

Observe From a Distance

Learn about wildlife by watching quietly—never chase, call out to, or crowd animals for a “better look.”
Use binoculars or a zoom lens to enjoy them without changing their behavior.
Larger groups can cause more disturbance. If traveling in a group, split into smaller pods when possible.

Quick movements and loud noises are stressful to animals. Quiet observation protects them—and leads to better sightings anyway.

Never Touch or Feed

Feeding wildlife teaches them to rely on humans, which can lead to dangerous outcomes for both you and the animal.
Do not pick up, pet, or approach wild animals. Baby animals should be left alone—handling them may cause their parents to abandon them.
If you find a sick or injured animal, report it to a ranger or game warden. Do not intervene directly.

Give Animals Room to Roam

Always camp at least 200 feet away from water sources—this lets wildlife access drinking water without fear.
Especially in desert or arid environments, water is scarce. Avoid visiting waterholes at night when animals are most active.
Polluting water sources with waste, soap, or swimming can harm animals and aquatic life.

| Special Note for Bear Country: When traveling through bear country, it’s okay to make some noise while hiking to avoid surprising a bear. Talk, sing, clap, or use a bear bell.

Be Considerate of Others

The wild offers something deeply personal to each person who steps into it. For some, it's the quiet solitude of a forest trail. For others, it's the joy of a shared campfire under the stars.

Whatever draws us to the outdoors, the experience is richer when we remember that others are also seeking their own connection to the landscape.

Courtesy isn’t just a nicety—our awareness and behavior can either enhance or detract from the shared experience of being outside.

Respect Quiet and Solitude

Many people come to nature for peace and reflection. Uncontrolled pets, loud voices, and external speakers can disrupt this.
Use earbuds if you’re listening to music, and keep the volume low enough to hear others approaching.
Searching for solitude? Choose off-peak times or less popular trails for minimized crowds.

Practice Trail Etiquette

Uphill hikers typically have the right of way on narrow trails.
Hikers yield to equestrians; bikers yield to both hikers and horses.
Announce yourself politely when passing others on the trail.
Step off the trail to the downhill side when encountering pack stock.

Camp with Courtesy

Take breaks and set up camp away from the trail and out of sight when possible.
Keep voices and activity levels low, especially in the early morning or evening.
Choose muted-colored gear to blend in with the landscape and reduce visual impact.

Be a Responsible Pet Owner

Keep pets under control at all times and follow leash rules.
Always pack out pet waste — no one wants to find surprises on the trail.

Share the Outdoors Thoughtfully

Technology use in the outdoors varies — respect different preferences and avoid imposing your experience on others.
Small group sizes and low-profile behavior help preserve the feeling of wildness.

The 7 principles are produced and provided by Leave No Trace. Learn more here.

Lessons from the Trail with Leave No Trace

BearVault caught up with Leave No Trace team members Haley Toy and Gary Huey for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of outdoor ethics.

From how the 7 Principles are adapting to modern backcountry use to why respectful recreation goes far beyond just picking up trash, they offered thoughtful insight into the role we each play in protecting wild places.

“Leave No Trace isn’t about shaming people or policing behavior—it’s about making decisions with intention. It’s a mindset that evolves with the landscape.” — Haley Toy, Leave No Trace 2022 team members

Read more about why LNT is not just a set of rules, but a relationship between people, place, and impact.

—> Read the full story: BearVault Loves Leave No Trace

More From The Bear Blog

Tout afficher