Leave No Trace: What It Actually Means in Practice

Everyone says "Leave No Trace" but most people don't actually understand what that means. After seeing trashed campsites and environmental damage, I want to explain what this principle actually requires in real practice.

Pack It In, Pack It Out

This seems obvious but I still find trash at dispersed sites constantly. Orange peels, cigarette butts, food scraps, bottle caps, twist ties from bread bags. Everything.

"But it's biodegradable" doesn't matter. Orange peels take 2 years to decompose. Cigarette butts take 10-15 years. Apple cores attract animals and spread invasive seeds. Pack out everything.

I bring heavy-duty trash bags and pack out all garbage. I also pack out trash left by others when I find it. If everyone did this, sites would stay pristine.

Human Waste: Do It Right

Catholes are not optional and there's a right way to do them. Dig 6-8 inches deep with a small trowel. At least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and camp.

Bury the waste. Pack out the toilet paper in a sealed bag. Yes, really. Used TP left in catholes gets dug up by animals and blows around. It's disgusting. Double-bag it and pack it out.

For number one, go 200 feet from water and camp. Don't pee on trees repeatedly—the salt attracts animals who damage bark. Spread it around on rocks or dirt.

Gray Water Matters Too

Dishwater, toothbrushing water, washing water—all need to be dispersed properly. Soap, even biodegradable soap, harms aquatic life.

I strain food particles (pack them out), then scatter gray water widely at least 200 feet from water sources. Spread it over a large area rather than dumping in one spot.

For teeth brushing, I use minimal water and spit toothpaste 200 feet from water. Toothpaste chemicals are harmful to fish and plants.

Use Existing Campsites

Don't create new sites. Look for established spots with existing fire rings and cleared tent areas. Creating new sites damages vegetation and spreads impact.

If you must camp in a pristine area (some places require this), camp on durable surfaces: rock, gravel, dry grass. Avoid wet meadows, cryptobiotic soil, and areas with young plants.

Move camp every night when in pristine areas to prevent site development. But honestly, most dispersed camping should use established sites.

Campfires: The Most Damaged Principle

Fire rings everywhere. New fire rings 20 feet from existing ones. Fires built directly on ground. Charred logs and half-burned trash left behind. This is where most LNT failures happen.

Use existing fire rings when present. Don't build new ones. Keep fires small. Burn wood completely to ash. Scatter cold ashes widely. Bury partially burned trash (or better, pack it out).

Don't burn food waste, plastics, aluminum foil, or anything besides wood. Pack out aluminum cans and bottles instead of "burning" them. They don't burn—they just get charred and ugly.

In pristine areas, use a camp stove only. No fires. Fire scars last decades or longer.

Respect Wildlife

Don't approach, feed, or harass animals. Observe from distance with binoculars. If wildlife changes behavior because of you, you're too close.

Store food properly. Animals that get human food become problematic and often die. Bear canisters, hanging food, or locked in vehicle are all better than letting animals access it.

Camp 200+ feet from water sources. Animals need water too and your presence keeps them away. Set up away from game trails and water.

Stay on Trails

When hiking, stay on established trails. Cutting switchbacks causes erosion. Walking beside trails widens them unnecessarily.

In muddy conditions, walk through mud rather than around it. Walking around widens trails and creates multiple tracks.

Be Considerate of Others

Keep noise down. No loud music or generators at dispersed sites. People come here for solitude.

Camp away from others when possible. If a site is occupied, find a different one. Don't set up 50 feet from someone already there unless it's a designated multi-site area.

Yield on trails to those going uphill. Step aside for horses. Don't blast past hikers on bikes.

Why This Matters

Dispersed camping is threatened. Too many trashed sites, too much impact, too many complaints. Land managers close areas when impact gets too high.

Every year, more dispersed areas close or add restrictions. This happens because people don't follow LNT. We lose access because of irresponsible behavior.

If you want dispersed camping to remain available, practice real Leave No Trace. Not the casual version. The actual, rigorous version.

Take care of these places. They're a privilege, not a right. Make the effort to leave them better than you found them.