Leave No Trace: How to Hike Responsibly
It’s a beautiful autumn day and you’re cruising down the trail. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. It’s been a fantastic day in the great outdoors.
But when you roll into camp expecting the magic to continue… you find trash in the fire pit, ropes dangling from trees, and toilet paper flapping in the breeze. WTF.
If we’re going to venture out into nature, whether for a day hike, a weekend, or an extended stay, we need to be good stewards of the land. That’s where Leave No Trace comes in. So many people don’t know (or don’t fully understand) the basics of the Leave No Trace principles.
When we started backpacking I thought I knew all about LNT. You may have heard the saying take only pictures, leave only footprints. Essentially pack it in, pack it out. Easy peasy. But it’s so much more than that.
Did you know there are 7, yes 7 principles to Leave No Trace?
Let’s take a quick peek at what LNT is and why it matters so much.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
This feels like a given for a safe and enjoyable trip, but what does it have to do with Leave No Trace?
Different areas have different rules and regulations. Some places require you to stay on designated trails or only camp in certain spots. Others let you roam freely so the man-made paths don’t destroy the area. Either way, you need to know the rules for where you’re exploring.
Some wild areas require permits or limit how many people can enter at once. This keeps the environment from being overrun. You don’t want to drive five hours only to be turned away at the gate!
And yep, even the bathroom rules change from place to place. Some spots let you dig a cat hole and bury toilet paper, while others make you pack out the tp, and others want you to pack everything out (yes, everything).
When I worked in the backcountry office for the national park service there were plenty of people who didn’t realize the campsite they booked didn’t have a bear box requiring them to hang their food. If they didn’t have the proper gear, they would have to leave the park and purchase it or they wouldn’t be issued their permit. Then to top it off, sometimes they didn't have the skills to do a proper bear hang. This is not the situation you want to be in.
Planning ahead isn’t just about safety. It’s how you protect the wild places you love. Know the rules and regulations, carry the right gear, and bring 10 Essentials.
Bottom line: Know the rules, know the risks, and show up prepared so you protect both yourself and the environment.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Have you ever been meandering down a trail, humming along to the sound of crunching leaves underfoot, when suddenly you spot a shortcut? It looks harmless. Just a little path where other people have clearly walked before. But here’s the deal: every footstep off the main trail adds up, turning soft soil and fragile plants into mud pits and erosion zones.
Stick to the established trails, rock, gravel, or snow. These are the “durable surfaces” that can handle our boots without taking damage. When it’s time to set up camp, look for an area that appears to be an existing site. Avoid crushing those delicate wildflowers or pitching a tent too close to water, about 200 feet (or 70 big steps) away is the sweet spot.
Basically, think of it like being invited over to nature’s house. You’re welcome to hang out, but try not to trample the carpet or rearrange the furniture.
Bottom line: Stay on the trail, camp on already-used spots, and keep about 200 feet from water.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
This one’s a biggie. Every time we go out on trail, we come back with other people’s trash. Every. Single. Time. And don’t even get me started on the human poop situation. The number of surprise bathroom encounters I’ve run into out there makes me want to cry.
Let’s start with the basics, trash. If it wouldn’t naturally be found in the area, it doesn’t belong on the ground. That means no tossing orange peels, apple cores, or sunflower seed shells. Yes, they’re “natural” and compostable, but if they don’t grow naturally in that ecosystem they don’t belong there. And if it’s man-made? Absolutely not. Pack it in, pack it out. Always.
That also includes those “helpful” little extras, like ropes left tied between trees, old tent stakes, or gear you just don’t feel like carrying anymore. You might think you’re leaving the next camper a lovely gift, but in reality, you’re just leaving a mess.
And then there’s the other kind of waste. If you’re heading into the backcountry, even for a day hike, be prepared for when nature calls. Bring a trowel to dig a proper cat hole (6–8 inches deep and 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites) and pack out your toilet paper, if that’s what the area calls for. In some areas, you might need to pack everything out (yep, that means what you think it means). It’s not glamorous, but it’s part of keeping wild places wild.
Now you may be thinking, “I don’t need to carry the extra weight of a trowel. I can dig a hole with a stick, or a tent stake, or my trekking pole, or my hands.” To that I say sure you can, but it will take forever or it won’t be the proper size and depth. I’m not telling you to carry a garden tool. There are plenty of very light weight tools out there.
When it comes down to it, Leave No Trace means exactly that. Leave no trace that you were ever there. Except maybe your footprints… and hopefully some good trail karma.
Bottom line: Pack out all trash, dig proper cat holes when allowed, and follow local rules for human waste.
4. Leave What You Find
As you stroll down the trail, you spot some gorgeous wildflowers. You pick one, tuck it in your hair, and snap a stunning selfie for the ’gram. A little farther along, you find a rock that looks like it could be petrified wood. This is definitely going home with you as a souvenir. Then, when you stop for a break by the river, you stack a few rocks into a cute little tower like you’ve passed on the trail.
What a perfect day, right?
But did you know these small actions can affect not just nature, but other people’s experiences too?
Let’s talk about it.
Picking one flower doesn’t seem like a big deal. That is until everyone who walks down the trail does the same. Before long, the hillside that was once bursting with color looks bare, and the bees and insects that rely on those blooms are left without food or shelter.
That awesome rock you pocketed? You’ve not only taken a piece of nature out of its home, but you’ve also taken away the sense of discovery for the next hiker who might have stumbled upon it. Nature isn’t just for you. It’s for everyone.
And those rock stacks? They’re called cairns, and they actually serve an important purpose: marking routes on some trails. Building random ones can confuse hikers and even lead someone off the trail entirely. Plus, when you move or take rocks, you’re disrupting tiny ecosystems. These spaces are the homes of fish, insects, and other creatures. Imagine someone walking into your house and rearranging all your furniture. Not cool, right?
Bottom Line: Take photos, not souvenirs. Admire, don’t alter. Leave nature as you found it so everyone can experience the same sense of wonder you did.
5. Minimize Campfire Impact
Honestly, in all the times we’ve been in the backcountry, we’ve only built one fire. Front country campfires? All the time, but backcountry? Only once. I love a good campfire as much as the next person, but unless it’s really necessary, we skip it. We bring our trusty Jetboil to cook instead.
The one time we did build a fire in the backcountry was because our socks and boots were soaked, and the sun wasn’t warm enough to dry them. We used a pre-existing fire ring and only burned small, dead, and downed twigs that fit completely inside the pit (nothing thicker than an adult’s wrist). We also made sure we had plenty of water to put it out.
Did you know a campfire that isn’t cool to the touch can reignite later?
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve come across a smoking campfire with no one in sight. Just because the flame is gone doesn’t mean you’re free to leave. If you can’t touch the charred logs (or fire remnants) with your bare hand, your fire isn’t out. Don’t go to bed or leave the site until it’s cold. You definitely don’t want to be the reason for a forest fire.
Now, let’s say you have to build a fire where there’s no fire ring.
Ask yourself a few questions first:
Are fires allowed here? (Know the regulations before you go.)
Is there a fire ban due to weather conditions?
Can the fire be fully extinguished? Do I have water? Dirt won’t cut it to properly extinguish a fire.
Will collecting wood here affect the local habitat?
Does your group have the skill to completely erase signs of the fire when you’re done?
If the answer to all of these is yes, then you’re probably good to go. Just make sure when you leave your campsite, the next person would never know you had a fire there.
One Quick Note
Never. Ever. Burn anything but wood in a backcountry fire pit. Even in front-country campgrounds, things like paper plates, wrappers, and food scraps should never be thrown into the fire. These are common habits, but they can be surprisingly dangerous to wildlife. I grew up doing it too. We all learn, right?
It wasn’t until I became a camp host at Yellowstone National Park that I learned why. You can never be sure all traces of food are completely burned away. Anything left behind can attract animals to the site. Once wildlife starts associating campfires or campsites with food, it becomes dangerous for both campers and the animals.
For example, you toss a dirty paper plate into the fire. It doesn’t burn all the way. A bear comes across the remnants and thinks, Hmm, maybe I should come back here again. It’s not the bear’s fault, it’s ours, but the bear will ultimately pay the price.
Now you might be wondering, what about the grates on the fire pits? Aren’t those made for cooking?
Let’s just say I’ve cleaned giant piles of bison poop off those things. Cook at your own risk. I wouldn’t be putting food directly on them. Line them with foil or better yet, if you are car camping, bring a cast iron skillet or platter to cook on.
Bottom line: Use existing fire rings, burn only small dead-and-downed wood, and leave no trace that a fire was ever there.
6. Respect Wildlife
There’s nothing more exhilarating than seeing your first bear in the wild. Even after two summers living in Yellowstone, spotting a bear never lost its thrill for me.
But in all the excitement, it’s easy to forget that this is their home. Imagine someone walking into your house and getting up close and personal trying to take a selfie with you. You’d probably shout, “Back the f@#k off!” and call the cops. Wildlife can’t say that in words, but trust me, they feel the same way.
That’s why it’s on us to give them space and respect. Keep a safe distance, use binoculars, a scope, or a zoom lens, and never approach or feed wildlife, no matter how cute or curious they seem. Every encounter matters, for them and for us.
There’s a spot at the top of the Beartooth Highway just outside Yellowstone where people love feeding the golden-mantled ground squirrels. These giant chipmunk-looking creatures seem adorable, but they’ve become so habituated to handouts that they’ll jump right at you even if you don’t have food. I’ve seen posts encouraging this behavior. Please, people, stop feeding the wildlife. Even the little ones.
Why is it okay when a cute little critter begs for a snack, but wrong when a bear does it? They’re both wild animals looking for food that we’ve taught them to expect. It’s just as bad for both creatures. The difference is one is going to get shot.
Sorry for my rant
So where were we?
Feeding wildlife can affect their health, alter their behavior, and expose them to predators and other dangers, like your car or your dog.
Speaking of your dog…We all love hiking with our pups. Let’s make sure we are keeping them, the wildlife, and our fellow hikers safe and comfortable.
You may think it’s fine to let your pup run free. I mean, hey, they are very well trained. But if you don’t have them under voice control at all times, then they are not trained well enough to be off leash.
I absolutely loved sharing the trail with our pups, but not every trail or area is appropriate for them. In some parks, especially where wolves or other sensitive wildlife lives, dogs can spread diseases through their poop and even stress wild animals out just by being nearby. Not to mention your smaller canine companions might look like lunch to some predators.
Bottom line: Give animals plenty of space, never feed them, and keep dogs controlled to protect wildlife and your pup.
7. Be Considerate of Others
Let’s chat for a moment about trail etiquette.
Many people head to the outdoors to disconnect, trading the loud hustle and bustle of everyday life for birdsong and rustling leaves.
What they don’t want is to hear whatever you’re blasting on your speaker, or to get run down by a cyclist. (And if you are the cyclist, you probably don’t want to accidentally plow into a hiker because they didn’t move out of the way. More on that in a moment.)
If you’re one of those people who loves to groove down the trail to some sick beats, that’s cool. Just pop in one earbud instead of two. You’ll still get your music fix, but you’ll also be able to hear if someone’s coming up behind you or if wildlife is trying to let you know they’re nearby.
Speaking of others on the trail, who actually has the right of way out there? Well, there’s a trail hierarchy to follow.
An order that keeps everyone safe and happy:
People using mobility or assistive devices always have the right of way
Livestock (like horses or pack animals)
Hikers
Cyclists
Motorized users, such as ATVs
And for the most part, the hiker trekking uphill has the right of way
Please, please, please, if you’re passing someone from behind, give them a heads up.
Even if you think you have enough space to pass. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been narrowly missed or even brushed by a cyclist whizzing past me with no warning. A simple, “On your left!” not only warns other trail enthusiasts that you’re there, but helps them to know which side to move to.
And of course, keep your furry companions under control. There are plenty of people who aren’t comfortable with dogs. Be considerate of their feelings.
Bottom line: Keep noise down, announce when passing, follow right-of-way hierarchy, and make the trail welcoming for everyone.
Joyfully Lost and Leaving No Trace
Phew! That was a lot, huh? But here’s the thing: Leave No Trace isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. Every little choice we make out there adds up.
When we care for the wild places we love, they’ll be there to welcome us back again and again. Full of the same magic, mystery, and muddy footprints that made us fall in love in the first place.
So next time you hit the trail, take a second to remember these seven principles. If we all practiced these outdoor ethics, the trails would stay wild for generations.
After all, the goal isn’t just to get lost in nature’s wonder, it’s to leave the world just a little better for the next wanderer.
Your turn: What’s the one Leave No Trace tip you wish more people followed? Or is there anything that you didn’t realize was on the list? Drop it in the comments. Let’s make the trails better together.