Plan Ahead and Prepare
Know the regulations and special concerns for the
area you'll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting
larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking
paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites,
rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet
from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site
is not necessary.
In popular areas:
Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and
rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food
and litter.
Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8
inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise
the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200
feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable
soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
Leave What You Find
Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural
or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as
you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry.
Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire
rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground
that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires
completely, then scatter cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or
approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their
health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other
dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations
and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting,
raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of
their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering
pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other
visitors.
Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and
noises
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