Leave No Trace: 7 Principles Every Camper (and Kid) Should Know

Leaving a campsite better than you found it isn't complicated, but it does take knowing what to actually pay attention to. These 7 principles of Leave No Trace are the standard practically every outdoor organization, from the Boy Scouts' outdoor code to national park rangers, teaches as the baseline for responsible camping. Here's a quick, practical reference for each one.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Knowing the regulations, weather, and terrain of where you're headed prevents most of the situations that lead to environmental damage in the first place.

Quick actions:

  • Check the specific rules for your campsite or park before you go
  • Pack out anything you'd otherwise be tempted to burn or bury
  • Prepare for weather so you're not forced into improvised, damaging shelter

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Repeated foot traffic or tent setup on fragile ground causes damage that can take years to recover.

Quick actions:

  • Stick to established trails and existing campsites rather than creating new ones
  • Keep campsites small, concentrate activity rather than spreading it out
  • Avoid camping on wet meadows or fragile vegetation, even if it looks like a nice spot

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

This is the principle most people already know but still get wrong in the details.

Quick actions:

  • Pack out all trash, including food scraps, they aren't "natural" waste
  • Bury human waste at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites
  • Pack out toilet paper rather than burying it

4. Leave What You Find

Natural and cultural features are part of what makes a place worth visiting for the next person too.

Quick actions:

  • Leave rocks, plants, and artifacts exactly where you found them
  • Avoid building structures, trenching, or altering the site
  • Take photos instead of souvenirs

5. Minimize Campfire Impact

Fires cause a disproportionate amount of long-term damage relative to how much enjoyment they add.

Quick actions:

  • Use an existing fire ring rather than building a new one
  • Keep fires small, a smaller fire uses less wood and is easier to fully extinguish
  • Make sure a fire is completely out, cold to the touch, before leaving it

6. Respect Wildlife

Wild animals that get used to human food or presence often end up worse off because of it.

Quick actions:

  • Store food securely, away from tents and out of reach
  • Observe wildlife from a distance, never approach or feed them
  • Keep pets under control so they don't chase or stress wildlife

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Everyone camping nearby is out there for a similar reason: to enjoy the outdoors.

Quick actions:

  • Keep noise down, especially during early morning and after dark
  • Yield the trail appropriately and keep group sizes reasonable
  • Let natural sounds be part of the experience rather than talking over them

Teaching Leave No Trace Principles to Kids

These principles translate well for younger campers and Scouts, and teaching them early builds habits that stick. A few ways to make it click for kids:

  • Turn "pack it in, pack it out" into a simple rule they repeat before leaving any spot
  • Make wildlife-watching a quiet observation game rather than something to chase or approach
  • Give kids their own small trash bag so cleanup feels like their responsibility, not an afterthought

Final Thoughts

None of these principles require special gear or extensive experience, just a bit of awareness before and during a trip. Following them consistently means the places we camp stay in good shape for the next person, and the one after that.

Keep this as a quick reference before your next trip, and it becomes second nature a lot faster than you'd expect.

Back to blog