The 7 Principles

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. Learn more.
Stick to trails and durable ground so plants and soil can recover. Learn more.
Pack it in, pack it out. That includes food scraps and pet waste. Learn more.
Take photos, not souvenirs. Leave rocks, plants, and artifacts where they are. Learn more.
Use a stove when you can, and keep fires small, contained, and legal. Learn more.
Watch from a distance and never feed wild animals. Learn more.
Keep noise down, yield the trail, and leave room for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. Learn more.
a group of people hiking next to thermal pools with steam rising

What should I do next?

There’s a ton more to learn and do! Take the free Leave No Trace 101 course, explore instructor training, or donate to support our work. It will take all of us to protect nature.

Shop the 7 Principles Materials

Need to purchase educational materials or minimum-impact camping gear? Find this and more at the Leave No Trace store.

Copyright and Brand Standards Information

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.

Earth Month graphic

Commit to learning, practicing, and sharing Leave No Trace this April. It takes 30 seconds and helps protect the places you love.

Care for the Outdoors?
Start Here.

Join our email list for Leave No Trace tips, research, and ways to put outdoor ethics into action—on the trail, at camp, and beyond.