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EnglishWhat Are the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace?
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The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace are the core framework of the outdoor ethics education program run by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (lnt.org). They are science-based guidelines that tell recreationists how to reduce their impact on the natural environment across planning, travel, waste, wildlife, and campfire decisions. They apply to anyone heading outdoors—hikers, campers, paddlers, climbers, and outdoor professionals—and are meant to be adapted to local conditions rather than followed as rigid rules.
The 7 Principles
| # | Principle | What it addresses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plan Ahead and Prepare | Reducing avoidable impact before you leave home |
| 2 | Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces | Where you walk and where you sleep |
| 3 | Dispose of Waste Properly | Human waste, trash, and food scraps |
| 4 | Leave What You Find | Rocks, plants, artifacts, and natural objects |
| 5 | Minimize Campfire Impacts | Whether and how you build a fire |
| 6 | Respect Wildlife | Observing animals without disturbing them |
| 7 | Be Considerate of Others | Sharing the outdoors with other visitors |
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Poor planning is one of the most common sources of impact. Knowing the regulations, weather, terrain, and group limits before you go lets you avoid situations that force damaging choices—like trampling vegetation to find a late campsite or building a fire when fires are banned. This principle is the foundation the other six depend on.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Concentrate travel on established trails, rock, gravel, dry grasses, or snow. Camp on designated sites or durable ground at least 200 feet from lakes and streams when dispersed camping is allowed. The goal is to keep foot traffic and tents off fragile vegetation and sensitive shorelines.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. For human waste, use established toilets where available; otherwise dig a cathole 6–8 inches deep and 200 feet from water, camp, and trails, then pack out toilet paper. In fragile or high-use areas, pack out solid waste entirely.
4. Leave What You Find
Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you found them. Do not build structures, dig trenches, or carve into trees. This also covers cultural and historical artifacts, which are protected by law in many places and should never be moved or collected.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
Use a lightweight stove for cooking and a candle lantern for light where fires are not essential. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, keep fires small, burn only dead and downed wood, and put fires completely out before leaving. In some areas, the right choice is no fire at all.
6. Respect Wildlife
Observe animals from a distance, never feed them, and store food and trash securely so wildlife cannot access it. Feeding wildlife alters natural behaviors, damages their health, and can create dangerous animals. Keep pets controlled or leave them at home where required.
7. Be Considerate of Others
Yield on the trail, keep noise down, and let natural sounds prevail. Take breaks away from trails and other visitors. This principle recognizes that outdoor spaces are shared and that other people's experience is part of the environment you are affecting.
Why the Principles Exist
Leave No Trace describes its work as science-based education that turns everyday visitors into lifelong stewards of the outdoors. The 7 Principles translate research on recreation ecology—how soils, vegetation, wildlife, and water respond to human use—into practical decisions. They are not a permit system or a legal code; they are a shared ethical framework that land managers, outdoor organizations, and educators reference worldwide.
How to Learn More
The organization offers a free course for foundational awareness. For people who want to go beyond awareness and build real-world skills, Leave No Trace launched a Skills Course with self-paced and in-person options, available to anyone with an internet connection for a one-time fee of $60. The site also provides science-based tips for responsible recreation and information on partnerships.
Quick Reference
- Before you go: check regulations, weather, and group size (Principle 1).
- On the move: stay on durable surfaces and camp 200 feet from water (Principle 2).
- With waste: pack it out, including human waste where required (Principle 3).
- With nature: take photos, not souvenirs (Principle 4).
- With fire: use a stove first, established rings second (Principle 5).
- With animals: watch from a distance, never feed (Principle 6).
- With people: yield, keep quiet, share the space (Principle 7).