Leave No Trace
We depend on each other to keep Baxter State Park the way Governor Baxter dreamed it would be for all time. As a visitor to this wilderness area, leave no sign of your stay by following the Leave No Trace guidelines for low-impact wilderness recreation:
1. Plan ahead and prepare
Wilderness travelers are responsible for their own safety and for those in their party. Learn first aid, map & compass skills and work together as a group to ensure the safety of your party.
Learn about the area before you hike or camp (surf this site to find out how Baxter Park is different from other areas or buy a book about the park); know the climate, topography (need a map?), rules and regulations.
Travel in small groups to minimize impacts. Group size of 4 to 6 is preferable. Prior registration is required for groups of 12 or more.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Hike only on designated trails, walk single file in the middle of the trail - even when wet and muddy.
Use existing camp sites and picnic areas.
Keep areas natural looking, don't leave rock piles or cut marks into trees to mark your way.
3. Dispose of waste properly
Pack out all trash and leftover food. Any spilled food should also be carried out; this prevents attracting unwanted insects and animals. Protect yourself and wildlife by storing food and garbage in a tightly sealed container that is hard for animals to reach. Please read BSP's Waste Reduction Tips for campers.
Most campsites are used every night, please do not relieve yourself near your site - use outhouses; only toilet paper and human waste should go in an outhouse, all other items should be packed out, including hygiene products. If below treeline, move 100 big steps away from campsites, water and trails; deposit waste in cathole 6-8 inches deep; cover and disguise the hole when finished; pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. If above treeline, avoid trampling tundra plants and use rocks to get off trail, deposit human waste at ground level (do not dig holes), pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
Wash yourself and dishes at least 200 feet from any water source. Use small amounts of biodegradable soap or no soap at all (preferable). Strain dishwater in the woods and pack out food scraps.
4. Leave what you find
Leave plants, rocks and historical items as you find them so that others will enjoy them as well.
Do not build structures, carve into objects or mark new trails (do not leave flagging behind).
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
5. Minimize campfire impacts
Only make fires and use stoves in designated camping and picnic areas. Use fire pans when provided at sites.
Purchase wood from campgrounds (preferable) or use small, dead and down wood (many animals use upright, dead snags for homes). Please, no fires at Chimney Pond or Davis Pond.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, and pack out any unburnables left in fire ring.
6. Respect wildlife
Keep your distance from all wildlife. Do not follow or approach animals.
Never feed wildlife. Keeping them wild will help them to survive.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young or in winter.
7. Be considerate of other visitors
Hike quietly so that others can enjoy the wilderness.
Yield to other hikers. Share the trail.
Use pullouts to let other vehicles pass on the park roads. The slower you go, the more you see. Learn about Road conditions for Baxter Park
Interested in learning more?
If you would like to learn more about Leave-No-Trace low impact techniques or would like to take a course in Leave-No-Trace, visit: www.lnt.org
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