5 Tips on How to Have a Sustainable Camping Trip
Camping is a great getaway adventure, perfect for spending some quality time with friends, family, or yourself. It can help you find peace of mind and truly connect with nature.
At 37 North Expeditions, we’re on a mission to help individuals connect to the outdoors and each other while also teaching general outdoor education. Sustainable camping is key to having an environmentally-friendly trip that helps maintain and protect the great outdoors.
Sustainable camping is the action of maintaining conditions where humans and nature can co-exist in harmony in a way that protects the environment. This includes the cultural, economic, and environmental preservation of an area. By camping sustainably, you’re helping to protect the environment from human activities and behaviors that can harm or alter nature.
Follow along to learn some tips on how you can have a sustainable camping trip with us!
FOLLOW LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES
One of the easiest ways to have a sustainable camping trip is by following Leave No Trace principles. This includes seven guidelines that individuals are encouraged to practice anytime they’re exploring nature.
The seven principles of Leave No Trace include:
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Dispose of waste properly.
Leave what you find.
Minimize campfire impacts.
Respect wildlife.
Be considerate of other campers.
Planning and preparing for your trip ahead of time helps you minimize waste. It’s also important for gauging weather conditions and staying informed about any regulations or concerns you need to know about the area you’ll be visiting.
Combining all seven of the Leave No Trace principles helps reduce human impact on the environment and helps you and other campers have a safe trip.
2. ONLY CAMP IN DESIGNATED AREAS
Camping in designated areas or on durable surfaces is important for your safety and for protecting the wildlife and ecosystems in the area. Durable surfaces include maintained trails, designated campsites, snow, rock, gravel, dry grasses, and sand.
Camp should be set up at least 200 ft away from lakes and streams. This prevents any human waste or materials from running into the water and contaminating it. Camping in designated sites also reduces the impact of human activity on fragile ecosystems important to plants and wildlife in the area.
3. RESPECT PLANTS AND WILDLIFE
Witnessing wildlife and finding beautiful plants can be one of the best parts of a camping trip. Observing wildlife from a distance is important for maintaining a healthy relationship between humans and the natural behaviors of animals. Wildlife should never be approached, followed, or fed any food.
Feeding wildlife can alter natural animal behaviors. It can cause animals to become accustomed to human interaction, put their health at risk, and make them more vulnerable to predators and other dangers.
To prevent ecosystem and habitat alteration or destruction, plants, rocks, and other natural objects should be left where they’re found. Taking photographs of wildlife or unique items you find in nature can be a good way to preserve memories of your adventure.
Removing items from their natural place of origin can be harmful to plants and wildlife in the area. Taking away plants from their native habitat can also harm other areas where they’re not native. Digging trenches or building structures can also alter ecosystems.
4. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY
Trash and solid human waste should be disposed of in proper areas while camping. This prevents trash or human waste from contaminating campsites or nearby water systems. Bear-safe trash cans should be used to dispose of trash, including leftover food, when available.
You can pack a bag with you for the sole use of leftover foods or trash to dispose of any waste. This is known as “pack it in, pack it out.” Any items you’ve brought along with you should also be taken when you leave.
Toilet facilities should be used when available. If they’re not, you can dig a cathole at least 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 ft away from any water sources, campsites, or trails. The cathole should be covered and hidden when you’re finished. Any toilet paper or hygiene products used should be packed away in a separate bag.
5. BRING REUSABLE AND BIODEGRADABLE GEAR
One of the key ways to support sustainability is to have gear that can be reused to reduce waste. This includes food containers, hygiene products, water bottles, and much more. Packing food with reusable containers reduces the amount of plastic and waste of other materials.
Biodegradable items, such as biodegradable soap, are sustainable because they can be broken down naturally. Biodegradable refers to items that can be decomposed by natural bacteria, fungi, or other living organisms. This prevents any harmful contaminants from remaining in the soil.
Bringing a reusable water bottle and a camping mess kit can reduce plastic waste. Many plastics are made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. Reducing the amount of plastic you purchase and use helps limit the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment as a result of burning fossil fuels.