Field guide · Environment
No community has more to lose from poor land stewardship than ours. When campsites get trashed and trails get cut, agencies don't ban camping — they gate the road. Leave No Trace isn't a suggestion for overlanders; it's our job security.
The seven principles, off-road edition
- Plan ahead: know closures, rules, and weather before you leave pavement.
- Travel on durable surfaces: stay on established roads and trails — always.
- Dispose of waste properly: pack it in, pack it out. Human waste 200 ft (60 m) from water.
- Leave what you find: no rock stacking, no artifacts, no souvenirs.
- Minimize campfire impact: stove-first, established rings only.
- Respect wildlife: slow down, give space, never feed.
- Be considerate of others: dust-free passes, quiet camps, gate etiquette.
The cryptobiotic warning
In the desert, the dark, bumpy soil between plants is cryptobiotic crust — a living community that holds the desert together and can take decades to regrow after one tire track. Drive on established routes, and when you pull over, choose spots that are already bare.
Gate etiquette
If a gate is closed, it's closed for a reason — wet roads, nesting season, or maintenance. Leave it exactly as you found it. Never cut a lock or route around a closure. Those few minutes of convenience cost the whole community months of access.
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