Leave No Trace in Rocky Mountain National Park | Protect the Park

Overview

Every visitor has a role in protecting Rocky Mountain National Park.

Leave No Trace is a practical framework for reducing impacts while spending time outdoors. In Rocky Mountain National Park, those choices matter because fragile alpine tundra, wildlife habitat, lakes, streams, trails, historic sites, and campgrounds all receive heavy seasonal use.

The goal is simple: enjoy the park without leaving damage behind. That means planning ahead, staying on durable surfaces, packing out waste, leaving natural and cultural objects in place, minimizing fire impacts, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors.

The park should look and feel just as wild for the next visitor as it did for you.

Leave No Trace at a Glance

The seven principles.

These principles apply whether you are hiking for an hour or camping overnight.

1: Plan Ahead and Prepare.
2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.
3: Dispose of Waste Properly.
4: Leave What You Find.
5: Minimize Campfire Impacts.
6: Respect Wildlife.
7: Be Considerate of Other Visitors.
Best Practice: Choose the option that leaves the least lasting impact.

Principle 1

Plan Ahead and Prepare.

Preparation prevents avoidable damage, crowding, emergencies, and poor decisions.

01 · WEATHER

Check current conditions

Mountain weather can change quickly, especially above treeline.

02 · TRAILS

Know the route

Review trail distance, elevation, snow, closures, and current hazards before leaving.

03 · TIMED ENTRY

Know current access rules

Timed-entry reservations may be required during designated dates and hours.

04 · NAVIGATION

Carry offline maps

Do not rely on dependable cell service in the park.

05 · EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Bring the basics

Carry water, layers, first aid, illumination, food, and personal medication.

06 · ITINERARY

Tell someone your plan

For longer or more remote trips, leave route and return information with a responsible person.

Principle 2

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.

Where you step matters most in fragile environments.

01 · STAY ON TRAILS

Avoid widening routes

Do not shortcut switchbacks or walk around muddy sections through vegetation.

02 · ALPINE TUNDRA

Protect slow-growing plants

Stay on established trails, rock, gravel, or designated boardwalks.

03 · CAMPSITES

Use established sites

Follow current wilderness permit and campsite rules.

04 · BOARDWALKS

Stay on built surfaces

Wetlands and restoration areas can be damaged by only a small amount of trampling.

05 · SNOW TRAVEL

Respect vegetation beneath thin snow

Use established routes when snow coverage is incomplete.

06 · MEADOWS

Do not create social trails

Repeated shortcuts can permanently damage meadow vegetation.

Principle 3

Dispose of Waste Properly.

Nothing belongs in the park just because it is biodegradable.

01 · PACK IT OUT

Carry out all trash

Wrappers, tissues, food scraps, fishing line, and gear packaging all leave impacts.

02 · HUMAN WASTE

Follow current park guidance

Use toilets where provided and follow NPS backcountry sanitation requirements.

03 · PET WASTE

Dispose of it properly

Where pets are permitted, owners remain responsible for waste.

04 · FOOD SCRAPS

Pack out every crumb

Food waste attracts wildlife and changes animal behavior.

05 · RECYCLING

Use designated facilities

Carry recyclables out if no appropriate container is available.

06 · MICRO-TRASH

Small items still matter

Pick up bottle caps, wrappers, tape, and other small debris.

Principle 4

Leave What You Find.

Natural and cultural objects belong where they are.

01 · WILDFLOWERS

Photograph, do not pick

Leave flowers for pollinators and future visitors.

02 · ROCKS

Do not collect or stack

Moving rocks can damage habitat and alter natural scenery.

03 · ANTLERS

Leave wildlife remains in place

Antlers and bones are part of the ecosystem and park resources.

04 · HISTORIC OBJECTS

Do not remove artifacts

Cultural resources are protected and should remain undisturbed.

05 · CARVING

Do not mark trees or rocks

Graffiti and carving create long-lasting damage.

06 · NATURAL FEATURES

Leave scenes intact

Do not rearrange branches, stones, or vegetation for photographs.

Principle 5

Minimize Campfire Impacts.

Fire rules can change quickly with weather and fire danger.

01 · FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Check current rules

Restrictions may change because of drought, wind, or wildfire danger.

02 · EXISTING GRATES

Use designated fire areas

Where fires are allowed, use established metal grates or approved sites.

03 · CAMP STOVES

Often lower impact

Stoves can reduce fire scars, ash, and demand for wood.

04 · FIREWOOD

Do not collect park wood

Dead wood provides habitat and nutrients and should remain in place.

05 · EXTINGUISH COMPLETELY

Cold to the touch

Never leave a fire unattended or assume embers are harmless.

06 · WILDFIRE PREVENTION

Wind changes everything

A small mistake can become a major wildfire in dry mountain conditions.

Principle 6

Respect Wildlife.

Wildlife protection begins with distance and restraint.

01 · OBSERVE FROM DISTANCE

Use binoculars or long lenses

If an animal changes behavior because of you, increase your distance.

02 · NEVER FEED

Human food harms wildlife

Feeding is illegal and can create dangerous behavior.

03 · ELK

Extra caution during rut and calving

Give bulls, cows, and calves generous space.

04 · MOOSE

Do not crowd

Moose can be defensive, especially around calves.

05 · BEARS

Manage food carefully

Secure food and scented items and follow current bear-safety guidance.

06 · BIRDS

Protect nests

Avoid playback, calling, baiting, and crowding nesting areas.

Principle 7

Be Considerate of Other Visitors.

Shared spaces work best when everyone leaves room for someone else.

01 · NOISE

Keep natural soundscapes intact

Limit amplified music and loud conversation in quiet areas.

02 · TRAIL COURTESY

Yield safely

Do not force others off durable surfaces when passing.

03 · PARKING

Use legal spaces

Do not block roads, trailheads, shuttle stops, or emergency access.

04 · PHOTOGRAPHY

Share viewpoints

Tripods and camera setups should not monopolize overlooks or trails.

05 · GROUP SIZE

Reduce crowding

Follow current permit and group-size rules where applicable.

06 · OVERLOOKS

Make space

Enjoy the view, then allow others to do the same.

Protecting Alpine Tundra

Above treeline, damage lasts a long time.

Cold, wind, and a short growing season make tundra especially vulnerable.

01 · SHORT GROWING SEASON

Plants have little time to recover

Alpine vegetation grows slowly and may take years to rebound from trampling.

02 · STAY ON TRAIL

Use designated routes

At busy high-country stops, remain on paths, boardwalks, gravel, and rock.

03 · DO NOT PICK

Leave flowers in place

Alpine blooms are part of a short and fragile reproductive season.

04 · NO SHORTCUTS

Avoid social trails

Repeated shortcuts quickly create visible scars.

05 · PHOTOGRAPHY

Use focal length instead of footsteps

Do not step into tundra for a composition.

06 · WINTER

Thin snow can still expose plants

Choose travel surfaces carefully when coverage is incomplete.

Leave No Trace & Photography

Capture the scene without changing it.

Photography should document the park, not rearrange it.

01 · STAY ON TRAILS

Protect vegetation

Use telephoto or careful composition rather than stepping into sensitive areas.

02 · DO NOT MOVE OBJECTS

Leave rocks and plants alone

Natural scenes should remain natural after the photograph is made.

03 · WILDLIFE ETHICS

No baiting or calling

Never manipulate animal behavior for an image.

04 · DRONES

Not allowed from NPS lands

Launching, landing, or operating drones from National Park Service lands is prohibited unless specifically authorized.

05 · VISITOR COURTESY

Share popular spots

Do not block trails, overlooks, or shoreline access with equipment.

06 · PACK IT OUT

Leave no gear behind

Carry out tape, batteries, food, packaging, and all other waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Leave No Trace questions.

Current NPS rules and restrictions always take priority.

FAQ 01

What is Leave No Trace?

It is a seven-principle framework for reducing environmental and social impacts while recreating outdoors.

FAQ 02

Can I pick wildflowers?

No. Leave plants and other natural resources where you find them.

FAQ 03

Can I collect rocks or antlers?

No. Natural objects and wildlife remains are park resources and should remain in place.

FAQ 04

Can I feed wildlife?

No. Feeding wildlife is illegal and harmful to animals.

FAQ 05

Are campfires always allowed?

No. Fires are limited to approved locations and may be restricted or prohibited depending on current conditions.

FAQ 06

Can I fly a drone?