The Ultimate Guide to Leaving No Trace on Your Adventures. 

When prepping for our outdoor adventures, you might hear the phrase “pack out what you pack in.” This is a fundamental principle of outdoor respect and responsibility. In this blog, we’ll dive a little deeper into the ‘leave no trace’ principles and how you can plan ahead to keep outdoor spaces pristine for future generations. 

Protecting public natural spaces ensures they remain accessible to all. 

The main reason we practice “ leave no trace’’ principles is so that we prevent damage and harm in public nature preserves. To ensure their longevity, we all must take extra care not to disrupt these areas.  Leaving behind garbage and breaking trails in sensitive ecosystems can have a serious effect – that’s why many public parks practice conservation.

What is Conservation? 

If every person picks a flower, takes a shortcut, or leaves behind food - these already precarious natural areas can be seriously harmed.  Small changes cause permanent effects in no time at all. Conservation is all about rebuilding and maintaining ecosystems and natural spaces. It’s the principle that most national and provincial parks use to govern these spaces. The USDA defines conservation as the “careful maintenance and upkeep of a natural resource to prevent it from disappearing.”

In an effort to preserve the area and the experience for future hiker visitors, it is important to pack out what you pack in, read about the park’s guidelines for use, and practice good nature habits.  

The 9 main principles of ‘leave no trace’ practices.

1. Plan ahead to be prepared 

Take time to read the guidelines for the area you’re exploring. The regulations will often differ for each kind and level of activity you’re doing. For example, backpackers will have different rules and access different areas than RV campers.  

If you are camping, hiking, or backpacking, you can read our blog to ensure you’re properly prepared for any situation. 

2. Do not add things to the environment without express permission

Accepting the responsibility for preserving our natural environments includes using a map and compass to eliminate the possible need for flags & marking paint that damages trees and rocks and often enters the waterways.

3. Use the path well-traveled

Most national, provincial, and regional parks take time and energy to develop and maintain visitor trails. This allows the balance of using these spaces while encouraging the strength and diversity of sensitive natural habitats. 

If you’re heading into the backcountry, just be mindful of the guidelines for the area you’re in. They might include not pitching camp too close to waterways, using bear-safe food storage, or putting your tent in low or no-vegetation areas. 

4. Pack out what you pack in 

This simple concept is key for responsible outdoorsing – it means that EVERYTHING you bring in needs to be BROUGHT OUT with you.  Bring multiple small, compostable bags to help you easily pack away garbage – including dog poop!

Gotta poop? Make sure you bring a shovel and camping-specific toilet paper. Follow the specific guidelines of the area, but a good couple of rules to remember are;

• Dig a hole that is about  6-8 inches deep. 
• Don’t build your toilet within 200 feet of waterways, camps, or trails. 
• Cover and disguise all holes.
• Be careful to avoid trampling or digging up vegetation. 

For things like dishes and hygiene, the 200 ft rule is a gooder. Use approved biodegradable products and scatter dishwater – ensuring you remove food bits. 

5. Leave nature where it is.

Follow the guidelines for the area you’re traveling to and ensure that if you remove anything, you do so ethically and sustainably. Many natural preserves encourage leaving nature where it is – especially in precarious ecosystems. Many species are endangered and frequently over-harvested. Take a picture instead and leave the grazing and harvesting to people with permission and knowledge. 

6. Use provided firewood 

Did you know that moving firewood is the number one way harmful invasive species are spread? There’s a reason it’s provided for you in a campground. It is critically important to follow the rules for firewood wherever you adventure. Better yet, check out an MSR camp stove – fast cooking with low impact. 

7. Chill on the campfire 

Campfires have a lasting impact on the environment. If you’re backcountry hiking, grab a lightweight camp stove to warm a tasty meal. If building a fire, create a fire ring or even a fire hole to minimize the size and provide only what you need. If no firewood is provided, then reach for deadfall, taking only what you need.

With increasing fire bans and forest fire risks, it is super important to double-check that your campfire is actually extinguished. Your fire is out when the ash no longer hisses, no smoke comes from the ashes, and the remnants are cold to the touch. Always check the fire status for the area you are camping in – a fire ban is serious business. 

8. Respect our animal pals

Don’t feed animals, chase them, or encroach on their space. Observing animals from a distance is the best way to enjoy them. Show extra caution during mating, nesting, and raising young seasons - for their safety and your own. 

9. Show your fellow nature nerds some care

Keep your noise down and your stuff tidy. A simple way to be a good guy on the trail. 

Get out and adventure respectfully! 

Following these simple principles is about respecting these awesome outdoor spaces and all the work that goes into them. If we all take these principles with us into the wild, we can make sure everyone has a great adventure for generations to come. Now, get out and explore!