Rocky Mountain National Park
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is a national program that promotes and inspires responsible outdoor recreation and stewardship of America's public lands. The National Park Service is a cooperating partner in this program, along with other federal land management agencies. You can help minimize impacts to the natural resources and social experiences of other visitors by practicing the seven principles listed below. For more information, please visit the website: www.lnt.org.
Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know and respect regulations and the inherent risks in the parks. Select activities and routes that have a degree of difficulty suitable for everyone in your group. Pack adequate food, water, clothing, maps, compass, first-aid supplies and equipment. Avoid traveling in the backcountry alone and always let someone know your exact plans. Travel in small groups, split large parties into groups of four-to-six people per group.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stay on trails and walk single file. Shortcutting, switchbacks and/or leaving trails causes erosion and vegetation damage. Select durable surfaces for rest breaks. If you must travel off-trail, use rock, snow, gravel or dry grasses, and disperse your impact by walking abreast. Use designated campsites to help minimize your impact on the land.
Dispose of Waste Properly: Keep the parks litter-free by packing out everything you pack in. Never leave, bury or burn leftover food items. Scatter gray water away from camp after straining and removing food scraps. In lieu of toilets, deposit solid human waste in a six- to eight-inch-deep cat hole dug in organic soil at least 200 feet from any water source, and well off of the hiking trails. Fill and disguise the hole, and pack out your toilet paper. A small trowel is a must for this technique. Urinate in toilets or on durable surfaces to reduce damage to soil and vegetation from salt- craving wildlife. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
Leave What You Find: All natural and historical objects are protected by law (except for fish and berries for personal consumption only). Leave objects for others to enjoy. Never make alterations to campsites or to other natural features.
Minimize Campfire Impacts: Consider using a cook stove, which is more efficient. Campfires are restricted to designated fire pits and should be kept small. Burn fires down to white ash and make sure they are dead out.
Respect Wildlife: Never intentionally approach or disturb wild-life. Leave young animals alone and avoid nesting, feeding or mating animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors and exposes them to predators and other dangers. In Rocky Mountain National Park, pets are prohibited on all trails and throughout the backcountry.
Be Considerate of Others: Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Hikers should yield to stock users by stepping to the downhill side of the trail. Let nature's sounds prevail by keeping noise levels to a minimum.
Rocky Mountain In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
