How to Build a Leave No Trace Beach Fort

San Juan Island, WA: Growing up on the coast, we remember building countless beach forts as kids. We loved letting our imaginations run wild as we piled up driftwood into fortresses, castles, and hidden caves. Looking back, these long days spent on the beach, getting down and dirty, helped us develop a deep connection to the natural world and fueled our sense of stewardship later in life.

However, it is important to practice Principle # 4: Leave What You Find while building forts. Remember to take your structure down and leave the beach better than you found it. Driftwood provides critical habitat for marine wildlife, and forts can become dangerous when left up in the elements. Help keep the beaches wild, safe, and beautiful by taking down your fort and creating a blank canvas for the beach’s next group of visitors.

Have Fun. Be Safe. Leave No Trace.

Leave No Trace’s Alex Roberts and Emy Gelb are part of the 2016 Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer Program that provides free, mobile education to communities across the country. Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, REI, Fjall Raven, ENO, Deuter, Thule, Taxa Outdoors and SmartWool.