Stewardship

Leave No Trace

We hike Tennessee’s trails because we love them. Leaving them better than we found them keeps them wild for everyone who comes next.

1. Plan ahead and prepare. Know the regulations, weather, and terrain; pack for what the trail and season demand.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces. Stay on the trail and on rock, gravel, or dry grass to keep fragile ground intact.
3. Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. Carry out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
4. Leave what you find. Leave rocks, plants, and historic features as you found them for the next hiker.
5. Minimize campfire impacts. Use a stove where you can; if you build a fire, keep it small and in existing rings.
6. Respect wildlife. Observe from a distance, never feed animals, and give them room, especially when nesting or raising young.
7. Be considerate of other visitors. Yield on the trail, keep noise down, and help everyone enjoy the quiet of the outdoors.

Take the pledge to hike responsibly and follow Leave No Trace. It earns you the Trail Steward badge, kept on your device.

Logged a cleanup?

Packed out litter or joined a cleanup? Log it to track your stewardship over time.