Do you go outside? Then you should know (and practice!) the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace.
Hipcamp’s mission is to get more people outside and with that comes great responsibility to make sure the places that we unlock access to remain as they were found, or, as one of our core company values states, we #LeaveItBetter.
Whether you’re camping, visiting a superbloom, or simply exploring your backyard, this guide is for you. Newbies should read this guide thoroughly and reference it often, seasoned explorers should spread the seven principles far and wide, and if you book a trip on Hipcamp, we’ll send you a link to review this list every time!
Let’s dive into each principle, what they entail, and examples of how to practice them on a daily basis.
Before setting out for your fresh-air adventure, it’s crucial to plan ahead and prepare. Lackluster planning not only puts your safety at risk, but also increases the odds that you, and those you may be outdoors-ing with, could harm the environment.
For example, not knowing where you can pitch a tent could potentially leave you driving tent poles through a protected plot of land. If you plan on having a campfire, know if you can bring wood from an outside source or if you can/need to source wood from the local area. Lack of preparation could introduce unwanted pests through timber brought in from alien, unapproved forest areas.
So, a word to the wise: Prep, prepare and plan ahead—for you and Mother Nature’s sake.
Leave No Trace recommends:
Hipcamp Pro Tip: Always double-, triple-check host or park websites to make sure there aren’t any closures or updates that could affect your stay; consider getting in touch with a Hipcamp host or park employee to ask about any specific questions or concerns.
When walking about and camping, especially in the backcountry or designated dispersed camping areas, it’s imperative you tread and set-up camp atop durable surfaces. Areas that are level and somewhat stripped of vegetation are ideal for rustic camping and hiking.
Conversely, swaths of land that have thick vegetation, loose soils, and/or boast obvious signs of animal activity should be left alone.
Leave No Trace recommends:
Hipcamp Pro Tip: To avoid disrupting the floral and faunal life around you, aim to travel along designated trails and camp at high-use areas.
Of the seven principles of Leave No Trace, odds are you’re most familiar with number three…because we practice it every day. When engaging with the great outdoors, remain conscious and proactive with how you dispose of waste. Sort items into recyclables, compostables, and things that are destined for landfills, and dispose of them accordingly when the opportunities present themselves. Make sure you pack out anything that you pack in, and when you see something out of place like litter please pick it up, and #LeaveItBetter!
Now, for human waste: Dig cathole sites, and use them accordingly. See our Ultimate Guide to Pooping in the Outdoors for the full scoop. 😉
Leave No Trace recommends:
Hipcamp Pro Tip: When packing your mess kit, think about bringing three separate containers or bags that you can organize your waste into those three aforementioned categories.
This one’s pretty straightforward: Leave what you find alone, or, at the very least, put it back exactly the way you found it. Biologists, conservationists, field scientists and the like are masters at this practice. If you turn over rocks in order to unearth hidden treasures make sure to return them to their natural state.
The same practice, applies to cultural and historical artifacts; still-living plant life should be moved only when necessary and with the utmost care.
Leave No Trace recommends:
Hipcamp Pro Tip: If you need to temporarily relocate a bit of nature along a trail or at your campsite, take a good, clear mental image beforehand (or with your phone!), so that you can put it back correctly.
These past few years, particularly in Northern and Southern California, we’ve all become acutely aware of just how an innocent campfire (or spark) can go rogue and cause utter chaos. Leave No Trace’s fifth principle aims to cull future chaos by, first and foremost, asking yourself this: Do you need a campfire, in the first place? Ideally, if you’re just looking to cook and prepare food, a gas-powered or electric stove will do; there’s no need to erect an enormous bonfire to heat-up a can of black beans.
But, if you’re looking to keep warm or stay up late sharing stories over s’mores and a fire-lit glow, then go ahead and (responsibly) build a campfire. Opt to use existing fire rings or learn how to properly construct a mound fire or pan fire to minimize campfire mishaps.
Leave No Trace recommends:
Hipcamp Pro Tip: For those who own their land and are eager to construct a safe, practice fire pit, read our guide on how to create 10 Types of DIY Fire Pits.
The sixth Leave No Trace Principle falls in line with the fourth—to a capital “T.” While we all love wildlife watching, it’s best to do so from afar, never interfering with the warm- or cold-blooded critters we share this planet with. And even though, say, picking up a listless toad or slow-moving turtle might seem innocent, you’re causing that animal an ample amount of stress. That, and you could—again, unintentionally—harm them.
Gaggles of local, state, and national parks offer guided wilderness tours, many of which limelight helping those in tow spot wildlife. These aided excursions are the best of both worlds, allowing onlookers to see fauna they might otherwise not encounter, all while keeping those animals safe and protected from curious hands.
Leave No Trace recommends:
Hipcamp Pro Tip: More than a few Hipcamp hosts have pettable, huggable animals (goats, sheep, horses, oh my!) on their land, should you want to get up-close-and-personal with friendly critters.
The final Leave No Trace Principle is basically the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Which, from an outdoorsman or woman’s perspective means a roster of things.
See a bit of trash splayed on a hiking trail? Collect it, and dispose of that piece of garbage properly. Notice someone who appears lost? Let them glance at your field map. Close gates you open; use high-use areas that already have staking points for tents; keep your pets under control for the safety of others you share on the trail.
At the end of the day, simply respect your fellow nature lovers, and everyone—including Mother Nature—will be grinning, ear to ear.
Leave No Trace recommends:
Hipcamp Pro Tip: Most parks and some Hipcamp hosts have designated “quiet times” after a certain hour, usually around 10pm. Make sure to abide by any-and-all community rules that coincide with where you’re camping.
Campsites are already being booked. Stay up to date on the latest Hipcamp happenings on Instagram and Facebook. Go forth and (responsibly) frolic, gang!
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