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Leave No Trace: How to Choose a Campsite

Learn how to choose a campsite that obeys regulations and follows Leave No Trace guidelines.

Get answers to the most common questions about following Leave No Trace when you pick a campsite, like camping near water, choosing durable surfaces & more.

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The 2nd principle of Leave No Trace suggests that you should only “travel and camp on durable surfaces,” but what exactly does that mean? Is it ok to camp next to the water? What about setting up your tent in vegetated areas where the ground might be softer? Or what happens if it’s late and you can’t find a campsite? Can you camp right on the trail?

Choosing a proper campsite when you are backpacking requires an understanding of Leave No Trace and your impacts, as well as having a mutual respect for other campers who might be camping nearby.

As more people are getting out and enjoying the outdoors, it’s important that we take the time to learn the details of what Leave No Trace means when it comes to campsite selection. Otherwise, the beautiful, wild places that we love are going to end up trashed and undesirable for future campers.

In this blog post, we share tips for how to follow Leave No Trace principles when you are picking a campsite when you are backpacking.

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1. Research Before You Go

Often when camping in the wilderness, there are campsite guidelines as to where camping is and isn’t allowed.  The general rule of thumb is to camp 200 feet from a trail or body of water (more on that later), but depending on the setting, the rules may be different.

On some popular trails, like the Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, you are only allowed to camp in designated campsites that you have a specific permit for. In other areas, like Kings Canyon National Park, you are only required to camp a minimum of 25 feet from the water but you must stay in designated, previously used sites.

Anytime you are going on a wilderness backpacking trip, you are responsible for knowing the regulations as part of your trip research. This includes learning about fire regulations at your campsites.

There really is no excuse for not knowing the regulations. Further, in no circumstances should you set up your tent where it is not allowed. It’s wrong for so many reasons and goes against Leave No Trace principles. It encourages others also to break the rules. I urge you to take a stand against this. Lead by example. Don’t set up your tent where you aren’t supposed to and don’t post photos of illegal campsites online – whether they are real or staged.

Get answers to the most common questions about following Leave No Trace when you pick a campsite, like camping near water, choosing durable surfaces & more.

This is a campsite at Havasu Falls, where you are only allowed to camp within the designated camping area.


2. Camp on Flat Durable Surfaces

When looking for a campsite, you want an area that is flat and durable such as rock, sand, dry grass or compacted dirt. Be mindful of small plants in the beginning stages of growth as well as cliffs or edges that could easily erode.  Whenever possible pitch your tent in an existing campsite, where it is evident others have previously camped. And yes, hammocks are great because they don’t necessarily affect vegetation, but keep in mind hammocks aren’t legal in some areas and parks due to the damage they can cause to trees. This goes back to #1; please take time to research before you pack and head out.

Get answers to the most common questions about following Leave No Trace when you pick a campsite, like camping near water, choosing durable surfaces & more.

This is our recent campsite in the Sawtooths. It’s at least 100 feet from water, as required by local regulations, and our tent set up on durable ground with no vegetation, and in an area that has obviously been camped in before.


3. Keep A Distance From Water Sources

Unless existing regulations say otherwise, ensure you are at least 200 feet away from all water sources BEFORE setting up your tent. This includes lakes, rivers, ponds, etc. This is important so that we don’t overcrowd water sources with tents all around (making it difficult for others to enjoy or refill their the water), but also so we allow wildlife easy access to the water source.

But there’s no wildlife here you say? The rule of thumb to camp at least 200 feet from water is also to maintain the quality and safety of the water supply. When you are camping, what do you normally do when you have to pee in the middle of the night? You grab your headlamp, put on shoes, and stumble maybe 10 feet from your tent before you pop a squat. Well if you are camped right on the water line, all that pee (or poop) conveniently runs right into the lake or river where you then go to collect your water. Gross, right? Let’s all keep our distance to help keep it healthy out there.

What if you find a durable, previously camped on surface that is closer to the water than regulations allow? You might be tempted and think it’s ok because other people have camped there. But you staying there and taking and posting photos online only tells other people that’s it’s ok to continue breaking the rules. Instead, we should not camp there and allow that area to recover.

Get answers to the most common questions about following Leave No Trace when you pick a campsite, like camping near water, choosing durable surfaces & more.

I would have loved to camp on the water’s edge, especially for my photos,  but with this distance between the campsite and the water, we are protecting this water source.


4. Be Respectful of Others

A general rule is that you should also be at least 200 feet from any trails or other campsites. People don’t want to be hiking in the wilderness and come across a community of tents sprawled right on the trail. Plus camping right next to a path can make solo hikers anxious and uncomfortable when passing by (according to Kim, our former community manager, who solo hiked the Pacific Crest Trail).

Whether you are staying at an established campground or looking for dispersed camping, keep in mind other campers are there to enjoy the wilderness, just like you! While it’s your own fault if you are camping next to the trail, other hikers don’t want to stumble on you going to the bathroom or catch you changing your clothes in the morning because you are in plain view camped next to the trail.

Other campers want to kick back and relax in peace — so also keep music and group noise at a considerate level and think about how close other campsites are to your group. Remember the sound from late night dance parties and drinking games can echo through the entire campground (especially when you are camped near a lake) and leave your neighbors both awake and annoyed. Respect the privacy of those nearby and be thoughtful of an early morning others in the campground might have planned.

This campsite is ILLEGAL and violates all Leave No Trace guidelines. Learn what to look for in a campsite that follows Leave No Trace and obeys regulations.

This is an illegal campsite we came across in the Sawtooths (NOT MINE) that was directly on the trail and also inches from the water. This violates several principles of Leave No Trace. More importantly, it violates the regulations listed on the wilderness permit that each group is required to sign and carry that states that you must camp at least 100 feet from the water.  


5. Minimize the Impact of Your Campfire & Campsite

If you want to have a campfire, your first step is to make sure they are even allowed. In many wilderness areas or during seasonal fire bans, campfires are illegal, even if they are in an existing fire ring. This goes back to our first point about knowing the regulations. If you find out that campfires are allowed, there are a few things you need to do to make sure you Leave No Trace with your campfire:

  • Only use existing campfire rings.
  • Only use wood that you bought or collected legally. Only buy firewood locally since invasive pests can be transported in firewood and always check the rules for your campground. Most state and national parks don’t allow you to gather firewood, even if it is downed wood. If gathering wood is allowed, only pick up dead and downed logs, and don’t cut down or harm living trees, as they are home for birds, insects, and other creatures.
  • Don’t build a fire if it’s windy. All it takes is a few hot ashes to blow into some nearby brush.
  • Keep the size of your fire reasonable. There is no need to have a bonfire when you are backpacking.
  • Before you go to bed or leave your campsite, make sure your fire is 110% out. The best way to put your fire out and to cool the ashes is to drench it with water. This is easy if you have a Platypus Gravity filter, since you can scoop up lake water and then carry it back to camp.
  • Peeing on your fire before curling up into your sleeping bag is not an appropriate way to put your fire out.
  • Don’t throw trash in the firepit!
Don't put trash in the campfire! Learn how to Leave No Trace at your campsite.

This was a fire ring I came across last summer that was full of trash. Trash doesn’t burn and eventually has to be packed out by someone else! Please don’t throw your trash in the fire.


At the end of your visit, leave the campsite better than you found it. Search for cigarette butts, micro-trash, and food particles. Whether they were already there before you arrived or a result of your party, be a good steward and pick it up. Make sure you pack out all of your trash as well as any trash you find. Stay organized at your campsite with a designated receptacle, so your trash is all in one place and easy to dispose of when you get out of the wilderness.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING A CAMPSITE THAT LEAVES NO TRACE? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW!

We'll walk you through how to pick a campsite when backpacking, from what type of ground to camp on, to how far from water sources you should be and more.

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19 Comments

  1. We try to pack our food in reusable containers so that the plastic waste is minimal. Whatever waste we do have, we take with us. That way we leave no waste. Food waste that is biodegradable is put into a hole and covered up.

    You can chuck sand on your fire to make sure that it is completely out.

    What do you do with your Waste?

    1. Hello Elnore, we pack it out. We actually have a full post coming soon on how to reduce waste while car camping, stay tuned for it.

  2. I appreciate that you pointed out that, whenever possible, it’s important to pitch your tent or park your RV in an existing campsite. I think one of the great things about camping is being able to be completely surrounded by nature, but still have a comfortable place to sleep. I think campsites that are already set up offer a good way to still get the nature experience, still be comfortable enough to sleep, and get the bonus that you’re not destroying any nature by being there.

  3. Hi Kristen,
    Nice post! Good read.
    Thanks for sharing your views on choosing a campsite. Your post is quite interesting. I loved it especially the fourth point, Be respectful to others.

  4. Nice post! Good read.
    that’s quite a lot of information. Thanks for the post and sharing your experience
    particularly useful information for me. I appreciate that you pointed out that

  5. Hi there! I just read your article on “How to Pick a Campsite and Leave No Trace” and I must say, it was a great read! Your tips on how to find the perfect campsite and how to minimize our impact on the environment were so informative. I especially liked the advice on how to select a site that’s far from water sources and trails to protect the ecosystem and avoid disturbing other campers.

    I’ve been camping for a while now, and I always thought that as long as I clean up after myself, I’m leaving no trace. But after reading your article, I realized there’s so much more to it. I never thought about the importance of spreading out our impact by camping at established sites and avoiding sensitive areas like meadows and alpine zones. And your suggestions on using biodegradable soap and food containers were such simple yet effective ways to minimize our impact even further.

    Thanks for putting this together, it’s amazing how a few small changes can make such a big difference in preserving our wilderness areas for generations to come. Keep up the great work!

    1. Hi Alex, so glad you found this blog post helpful! Leave No Trace is an evolving practice but it’s more important than ever. Enjoy your next camping trip!

  6. Hi there, I just read your article and I wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciated it. Your tips for finding the perfect campsite and leaving it better than we found it were spot on. I especially liked the suggestion of choosing a spot that’s already been used, as it minimizes the impact we have on the environment.

    Your emphasis on Leave No Trace principles really resonated with me, as I believe it’s our responsibility as outdoor enthusiasts to do everything we can to preserve the beauty of our natural spaces. Your reminder to pack out all of our trash, properly dispose of human waste, and respect wildlife was a great reminder of the small things we can all do to help protect the environment.

    I also appreciated your suggestions on how to make a campsite more sustainable, such as using reusable dishes and utensils, and choosing a camp stove that uses alternative fuels. These are things that we can all do, no matter how experienced we are, to make a positive impact on the environment.

    Overall, I thought your article was informative, well-written, and highly relatable. Thanks for sharing your passion and expertise on this important topic! Keep up the great work!

    1. Hi Anthony, thanks for the kind review and glad you found this article so helpful. Enjoy your next camping trip!

  7. It was wonderful that you advised keeping in mind that other campers are there to appreciate nature, just like you, whether you are staying at an established campsite or opting for dispersed camping. Next week, my husband and I are taking a camping trip in an RV to explore and discover good spots around the country. Based on your suggestions, we will locate an RV park campground so that we can rest and take in the day while our 6-year-old kid plays.

  8. My cousins and I recently rented a motorhome since we were planning to go on a camping trip later this April. I’m glad you mentioned doing as much research as possible before going on our camping trip since there is no excuse for not knowing the regulations of the campsite we are considering. I’ll be sure to do so once we have decided on an RV park to go to for our camping trip soon.

  9. My friends and I have decided to go camping at the end of this month, so we need to find a campground soon for our trip for us to book it in advance. It was a helpful tip when you told us to choose a campsite that is at least 200 feet away from a trail or body of water to make it easier for us to access water when needed. I’ll be sure to keep this in mind while I look around campgrounds available in Florida for us to consider for our trip.