The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace© are the foundation of everything we teach. Whether you’re headed outside for the first time or you’ve been doing this for years, they give you a simple way to think about your impact and how to reduce it.
New to the outdoors? Start with our free 101 course. Ready to go further? Skip ahead to advanced training.
Know before you go. Check weather, regulations, and trail conditions so you’re ready for anything.
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Stick to trails and durable ground so plants and soil can recover.
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Pack it in, pack it out. That includes food scraps and pet waste.
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Take photos, not souvenirs. Leave rocks, plants, and artifacts where they are.
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Use a stove when you can, and keep fires small, contained, and legal.
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Watch from a distance and never feed wild animals.
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Keep noise down, yield to others on the trail, and leave room for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.
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Need to purchase educational materials or minimum-impact camping gear? Find this and more at the Leave No Trace store.
To reprint the Leave No Trace 7 Principles, you must include copyright language and you cannot alter them without a review from Leave No Trace.
Commit to learning, practicing, and sharing Leave No Trace this April. It takes 30 seconds and helps protect the places you love.
