Design your trip to match your kayaking and outdoor skill level.
Know the area and what to expect. Find out about camp sites and sensitive animal/bird populations.
Select appropriate equipment to help you leave no trace. Lightweight equipment, collapsible water containers and reduced trash help.
Repackage Food. Save weight and space, plus reduce potential trash.
Travel Skills. Develop your paddling skills, weather awareness, coastal hazard awareness, leadership and first aid training before your trip.
Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces
Hike on durable surfaces and spread out when traveling on shore. Hike at low tide on hard sand, gravel or rock in the intertidal zone. Avoid crushing intertidal life.
Use trails where they exist.
Avoid fragile vegetation.
Keep your group small to minimize physical and social impacts.
Select durable ground, such as rock, gravel, sand or snow for your campsite. Or camp in designated campsites.
Choose a shelter site with a small slope so rainwater can drain.
Before departing, make sure your campsite is clean or cleaner than when you arrived.
Avoid places where impact is just beginning.
Avoid sites and trails that show signs of slight use.
Allow time for recovery.
Pack It In, Pack It Out
Dispose of trash and garbage properly. Only burn trash if it is completely burnable.
Properly Dispose of What You Can't Pack Out
Dispose of human waste properly.
Minimize soap and food residues in water.
Use soap sparingly when needed.
Properly dispose of fish viscera.
Leave What You Find
Minimize site alterations.
Avoid damaging live trees and plants.
Leave natural objects and cultural artifacts.
Minimize Use and Impact of Fires
Be aware of regulations and weather conditions
Use only dead and downed wood.
If there is not a supply of driftwood, collect loose sticks and branches from the ground.
In high use areas, use existing fire rings.
In remote areas, use appropriate Leave No Trace fire techniques.