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Leave No Trace Quick Reference

The 7 principles. Specific rules, not slogans. Written for families on their first trip.

Single-page printable · Letter / A4 · Free with email signup

LNT isn't about being perfect. It's seven habits that compound — the more people who follow them, the better the wild places get. These are the car-camping and day-hiking versions, not just backcountry rules.

1.

Plan ahead and prepare

  • Check fire and permit conditions before you leave — not at the trailhead.
  • Bring a paper map. Cell service fails in most wilderness and many campgrounds.
  • Tell someone your itinerary and expected return time.
2.

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

  • Walk single-file on established trails. Widening the trail by walking beside it causes erosion.
  • Camp on existing tent pads or bare mineral soil — not on vegetation.
  • Avoid crushing young plants. If the ground springs back, it's recovering.

Most broken: Cutting switchbacks. It looks like a shortcut — it causes lasting erosion.

3.

Dispose of waste properly

  • Pack out all trash, food waste, and packaging. "Biodegradable" food still attracts animals.
  • Human waste: cat hole 6–8 inches deep, 200 ft from water, trail, and camp.
  • Dishes: strain food particles, scatter gray water 200 ft from water sources.

Most broken: Burying food scraps. They get dug up. Pack them out.

4.

Leave what you find

  • Leave rocks, plants, feathers, and historical artifacts exactly where you found them.
  • Don't build cairns, furniture, or fire rings beyond existing ones.
  • Avoid introducing invasive species — clean boots, boats, and gear before a new area.
5.

Minimize campfire impact

  • Use established fire rings only. Never build a new ring.
  • Use only down, dead, small wood you can break by hand — don't cut standing trees.
  • Let wood burn to ash. Drown, stir, drown. Cold to the touch before you leave.

Most broken: Bringing firewood from home. It spreads invasive insects. Buy it within 50 miles.

6.

Respect wildlife

  • Observe from a distance. If an animal changes its behavior, you're too close.
  • Store food, waste, and scented items in a bear bag or canister every night.
  • Keep pets under control. Off-leash dogs stress wildlife and other campers.

Most broken: Feeding wildlife — any wildlife. It kills them.

7.

Be considerate of others

  • Quiet hours at established campgrounds are typically 10 pm – 6 am. Honor them.
  • Yield to uphill hikers, horses, and mountain bikers on singletrack.
  • Camp out of sight and earshot of others when in dispersed areas.

Most broken: Bluetooth speakers on trails. Carry them to camp if you must — not on the trail.

Before you leave camp

All food, wrappers, and scented items packed out or hung
Fire cold to the touch (drown, stir, drown)
Camp looks cleaner than when you arrived
No shortcuts cut across switchbacks on the way out
Pet waste packed out or buried properly
Site looks like no one was there
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What you get

  • All 7 Leave No Trace principles with 2–3 specific actions per principle
  • Car camping and day-hiking versions of each rule — no backcountry-only language
  • The most-broken LNT rules flagged: soap in waterways, cutting switchbacks, feeding wildlife
  • A "before you leave camp" final check at the bottom
  • Letter / A4 sized

Use it for

  • Hand to a first-time camper before their first trip
  • Pin inside a camp kitchen box lid
  • A conversation starter for teaching kids LNT habits at the site

Want a real plan too

Get a starter trip plan in 5 seconds.

The printable is a great companion. Pair it with a structured plan — timeline, gear, meals, kid activities — built around your party and dates.

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