Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Leave No Trace Center
Each of us plays a vital role in protecting our National Parks. As we spend time outdoors, whether in the wildreness or at a historic site, it’s important to be conscious of the effects our actions may have on the landscape, plants, animals, and other people. Following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles can help us minimize those impacts. They can be applied anywhere, at any time, while taking part in recreational activities.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Be prepared! Remember food and water, and clothes to protect you from the weather
Use maps to plan where you’re going.
Remember to bring a leash for your pet and plastic bags to pick up your pet’s waste.
Check the park website for operating hours, seasons, reservations, and closures. Research before your trips helps you see the things you don't want to miss. The more you know, the more fun you’ll have.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Hike on designated trails to protect trailside plants.
Bike on designated roadways and biking trails.
Do not step on flowers and plants. Once damaged, they may not grow back.
Respect private property by staying on designated trails.
Camp only in designated campgrounds. No backcountry, "out-of-bounds" camping, or overnight parking is allowed.
Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack it in, Pack it out. Put litter, even crumbs, peels and cores, in garbage bags and carry it home. Do not rely on park trash cans as some trailheads and parking lots don’t have any.
Check maps to know where restrooms or vault toilets are before hiking. If not available, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet or 70 big steps from water. Those conditions can be difficult to find in the park due to thin soils and public water supply.
Use a plastic bag to pack out your pet’s poop to a garbage can. Trash cans are limited through out the park, take bag with you until a trash can is available.
Keep water clean, as many lakes and ponds are public water supply for local communities. Do not swim in these areas and respect posted signage.
Leave What You Find
Leave plants, rocks, cairns, and historical items as you find them so others can enjoy them. Do not alter the landscape.
Leave historical items as you found them--monuments, artillery, historic structures, and boulders are all part of the preserved landscape. Do not climb on, carve into, or otherwise disrupt these objects.
Treat living plants with respect. Carving, hacking, peeling, parking, or stepping on plants may kill them.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Campfires are only allowed in certain designated campgrounds in connection with park sponsored living history programs.
Only camp stoves (propane, butane) may be utilized in the designated picnic area – South Confederate Avenue. No coal or charcoal grills permitted.
Remember, a campfire isn’t a garbage can. Pack out all trash and food.
At other parks, firewood should be bought from a local vendor.
Burn all wood to ash and be sure the fire is completely out and cold before you leave.
All authorized campfires in the park must be attended at all times and completely extinguished when not attended
Respect Wildlife
Observe wildlife from a distance and never approach, feed, or follow them.
Human food is unhealthy for all wildlife and feeding them starts bad habits.
Protect wildlife and your food by securely storing your meals and trash in hard sided containers or locked in your car. Not all campgrounds have food storage.
Be Considerate of Others
Be considerate when passing others on the hiking trails and carriage roads. Respect speed limits for bicycles.
Federal law requires that all pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. This helps protect your pet, other visitors, and wildlife.
Listen to nature. Avoid making loud noises, yelling, or playing amplified music – including bird calls. You will see more wildlife if you are quiet.
Remember to have fun but be respectful of other visitors. Everyone enjoys the outdoors differently.
