Leave No Trace at Camp: Durable Surfaces and Waste
Popular campsites see thousands of visitors a year. Small habits, repeated by everyone, decide whether a place stays pleasant. The Leave No Trace principles offer a practical framework for camping without leaving damage behind.
Choosing where to camp
Use established sites and durable surfaces such as rock, gravel, dry grass or snow. In popular areas, concentrate use on existing sites rather than creating new ones. In pristine areas, spread out and move camp to avoid wearing paths.
Camp at least about 60 meters, or 200 feet, from lakes and streams to protect shorelines and wildlife access.
Handling waste
Pack out all trash and leftover food. Where there are no toilets, dig a cathole about 15 to 20 centimeters deep, at least 60 meters from water, camp and trails, and cover it afterward. Some areas require packing out human waste entirely.
Pack out used toilet paper and hygiene products in a sealed bag where local guidance asks for it.
Carry a small trowel and a sealable bag so you are ready wherever you stop, and learn the rules for the specific area before you go, since alpine, desert and river corridors often have stricter requirements.
Protecting water
Wash dishes and yourself away from water sources using a small amount of biodegradable soap, and scatter strained dishwater widely. Pack out food scraps caught in the strainer.
Even biodegradable soap harms aquatic life when it goes directly into a stream or lake.