Wilderness environments are extremely important as places for recreation, allowing us to escape from the pressures of modern living. They are a special place where nature comes first. When you use these wilderness and backcountry areas as a place of retreat and renewal, please practice techniques that allow you to travel lightly, leaving them in their natural state to be enjoyed by future travelers.

1. Prepare well

• Know about your route and the area.
• Take adequate food.
• Bring clothing and equipment that will keep you warm, dry and comfortable.
• Know the basics of first aid, navigation and minimum-impact camping.
• Know what to do in case of frostbite, hypothermia or avalanche danger.

2. Management guidelines

• Follow the guidelines set forth by the appropriate land manager (e.g. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service or the National Park Service).
• Write or call for guidelines prior to your trip.

Wilderness is managed for reasons of preservation and solitude. We need such natural places for study, for measuring the forces of natural change and dynamics, and as a place to renew the human spirit. Land managers have established rules and regulations governing group size, fires, cans and bottles, mechanized vehicles and basic conduct to help protect the land and the quality of experience for users. Please follow their guidelines.

3. Trekking into the wilderness

• Select footwear appropriate for comfort, safety and the terrain.
• Suppress the desire to shortcut switchbacks.
• On rest breaks, select a hardened area to absorb your impact.

Heavy, lug-soled boots have an adverse impact on fragile terrain. Consider wearing well-cushioned running shoes whenever it is safe and conditions permit. It is strongly advised that you carry a light pair of boots for safety reasons. Use light footwear in camp.

Cutting switchbacks tramples vegetation and leads to erosion. Use established trails when possible; cross-country travel requires experience and an extra sensitive backcountry traveler.

4. Camping

• Select a level campsite with adequate water runoff, and use plastic under your tent to stay dry without ditching.
• Locate your site at least 100 feet away from natural water sources.
• Generally, select a shelter site that has already been used, to eliminate further expansion of the camp.
• When possible, position your tent so it blends with the environment.

Careful selection of campsites helps preserve the atmosphere of solitude even in popular areas. Choose your site thoughtfully and use it lightly, leaving it in as natural a state as possible.

5. Garbage

• Carry out or burn all of your garbage.
• Pick up litter as you encounter it.

Be sure to burn or carry out all of your food scraps and packaging. Buried garbage won't stay that way for long, and may be dangerous to small animals. If you fish, be sure to burn or carry out the entrails. If local land managers give you the go-ahead, consider cleaning up a trashy area and caching the garbage for later removal by a ranger. Do this only if you have made arrangements in advance for the removal.

6. Sanitation

• Use established latrines if they are provided.
• Use a cat-hole if there are no established latrines.

Your family cat can teach you a valuable lesson about wilderness hygiene; how to use a cat-hole. Proceed with trowel in hand to an area at least 100 feet away from water sources, trails and camp. After carefully removing the surface duff, dig a hole several inches into the dirt, put all of your human wastes and toilet paper into the hole, then replace dirt and duff.

In winter, select a flat area away from drainages. This prevents the waste from entering a water source as the snow melts. Assuming the area is safe from fire hazard, carefully burn your toilet paper during the wet winter months.

7. Washing yourself

• Try a soapless bath or clothes-wash for all but the most persistent dirt.
• When using soap-even biodegradable soap-wash yourself, your hair and your clothing at least 100 feet away from water.
• Brush your teeth well away from water sources.

Even when biodegradable, soap is a stress on the environment, so do as much of your cleanup as possible with soapless, hot water. When using any soap to wash yourself or your dishes, use it well away from natural water sources; pour it into highly absorbent ground.

8. Washing dishes

• Try a soapless cleanup.
• For health reasons, wash dishes with hot water when possible.
• Wash at least 100 feet away from natural water sources.

9. Water pollution

• Do everything you can to protect water sources from contamination.
• Boil, chemically treat, or filter your drinking water any time you are not sure of water purity.

The increasing occurrence of backcountry dysentery caused by Giardia clearly demonstrates the impact water pollution has in the wilds. Giardia thrives in water that has been contaminated with animal or human waste. Consider most backcountry water to be potentially contaminated even though it appears clean and may be running rapidly. To ensure its safety, boil or filter water, or use a chemical water purification agent. Clean water is vital to human and animal health; do everything you can to lessen your impact on water sources.

10. Fires

• Keep fires small.
• Use only down dead wood.
• Leave axes at home.
• Make sure your ashes are cool.
• Enjoy the experience of a fireless evening.

Even though we all enjoy fires, most wildlands are feeling the effects of too many. Wilderness is being depleted of much of its beauty by eager fuel hunters. Even when a fire is possible, consider your options; when you forego a fire you may be richly rewarded by interesting sights and sounds usually hidden by the fire's draw.

Wood fires are completely forbidden in some areas. Check the rules with the land manager prior to planning your trip.

11. Smoking

• Smoke only where it is safe: around a fire or in a cleared area.
• Make sure your ashes are cool, then scatter them.
• Carry out all your cigarette filters.

12. Mountain bikes

• Respect public land management guidelines; use bicycles on roads or designated bicycle trails, not on hiking-only trails.
• Safe speeds are relative to terrain and your riding ability; assume others are just around the corner.
• Minimize your impact on the land-never ride off of roads or trails, or take shortcuts, as this can lead to erosion.

Bicycles are prohibited in Wilderness Areas. Remember that bicycling on public lands is subject to local agency rules; courtesy will help all visitors have a pleasant experience.

13. Impact on other users

• Blend camps and tents Into the environment when possible.
• Keep groups small.
• Speak softly, save rowdy games and songs for another time.
• Leave pets at home.

If you recall backcountry trips you've taken that gave you peace and solitude, you will know the kind of thoughtful conduct needed to minimize your impact on others. Tens of millions use America's backcountry every year, but there is still room for a quality experience provided we are conscientious visitors.

Pets are prohibited in many areas. Check with land managers prior to planning your trip.

14. Become involved

• Join environmental and outdoor organizations.
• Leave your impact on the legislative process.
• Be a thoughtful backcountry visitor.

Each one of us can have an important and lasting impact on public recreation opportunities by getting involved with conservation efforts. Many organizations sponsor cleanups of wildland areas. Your local outdoor store and land managers can usually connect you with a group or tell you about their own programs.

Please help protect our wildlands by sharing these minimum impact techniques with your friends and associates.

See also Leave No Trace Seven Principles