Leave No Trace, Explained: The 7 Principles for Every Adventure
The simple ethic that keeps wild places wild — and how to actually put it into practice.
Leave No Trace isn't a rulebook for purists — it's a shared ethic that lets millions of us enjoy wild places without loving them to death. The seven principles are simple, and putting them into practice is mostly about small, deliberate habits.
The seven principles
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly (pack it in, pack it out)
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Putting it into practice
Stay on the trail even when it's muddy — walking around widens the scar. Camp on rock, gravel, or established sites. And when in doubt, pack it out. The goal is simple: leave the place looking like you were never there.
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