Leave No Trace: How to Camp Without Leaving a Mark

Know the rules for the area you are visiting, including fire restrictions and camping permits. Repack food to reduce packaging, and plan meals so you do not carry excess.

Use established campsites and trails where possible. In undeveloped areas, choose rock, gravel, or dry grass, and camp well away from lakes and streams.

Carry out all rubbish, including food scraps such as fruit peels, which can take a long time to break down and attract wildlife. Use toilets where available; otherwise follow local guidance on burying human waste away from water.

Use a camp stove for cooking. Where fires are permitted, use existing fire rings, keep fires small, burn wood down to ash, and make sure the fire is completely out and cold before you leave.

Observe animals from a distance, never feed them, and store food securely. Keep noise down so others can enjoy the quiet.