Outdoor Ethics for Picnicking
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are reprinted with the permission of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. For more information, visit www.LNT.org.
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Know Before You Go
- Be prepared! Remember food and water, and clothes to protect you from cold, heat and rain.
- Use maps to plan where you’re going. Check them along the way so you’ll stay on course and won’t get lost.
- Remember to bring a leash for your pet and plastic bags to pick up your pet’s waste.
- Learn about the areas you plan to visit. Read books, check online and talk to people before you go. The more you know, the more fun you’ll have.
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Stick to Trails and Camp Overnight Right
- Walk and ride on designated trails to protect trailside plants.
- Do not step on flowers or small trees. Once damaged, they may not grow back.
- Respect private property by staying on designated trails.
- Camp only on existing or designated campsites to avoid damaging vegetation.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Don’t dig trenches or build structures in your campsite.
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Trash Your Trash and Pick Up Poop
- Pack it in, Pack it out. Put litter–even crumbs, peels and cores–in garbage bags and carry it home.
- Use bathrooms or outhouses when available. If not available, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet or 70 big steps from water.
- Use a plastic bag to pack out your pet’s poop to a garbage can.
- Keep water clean. Do not put soap, food, or human or pet waste in lakes or streams.
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Leave It As You Find It
- Leave plants, rocks and historical items as you find them so others can enjoy them.
- Treat living plants with respect. Carving, hacking or peeling plants may kill them.
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Be Careful with Fire
- Use a camp stove for cooking. Stoves are easier to cook on and create less impact than a fire.
- If you want to have a campfire, be sure it’s permitted and safe to build a fire in the area you’re visiting. Use only existing fire rings to protect the ground from heat. Keep your fire small.
- Remember, a campfire isn’t a garbage can. Pack out all trash and food.
- Before gathering any firewood, check local regulations.
- Burn all wood to ash and be sure the fire is completely out and cold before you leave.
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Keep Wildlife Wild
- 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.
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Share Our Trails and Manage Your Pet
- Be considerate when passing others on the trail.
- Keep your pet under control to protect it, other visitors and wildlife.
- Listen to nature. Avoid making loud noises or yelling. You will see more wildlife if you are quiet.
- Be sure the fun you have outdoors does not bother anyone else. Remember, other visitors are there to enjoy the outdoors too.
Gear & Services
- Hiking, Ice Fishing, Picnicking, Snow, Snowshoeing, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Water
Rentals
- Hiking, Ice Fishing, Picnicking, Snow, Snowshoeing, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Water
Guided Adventures
- Hiking, Ice Fishing, Picnicking, Snow, Snowshoeing, Stillwater Canoeing, Stillwater Kayaking, Stillwater SUPing, Water
