Popular photo spots can be loved to death: trampled meadows, social trails to the "best" angle, disturbed wildlife. The seven Leave No Trace principles, adapted for photographers:
1. Plan ahead and prepare
Know the regulations, closures and permits before you go. Check the location pages here for sun directions so you don't wander looking for a composition at the last minute.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Stay on trails, rock, gravel or snow. In meadows and deserts, one person's footprints become a trail when hundreds follow. Biological soil crust in the Southwest takes decades to recover.
3. Dispose of waste properly
Pack out everything, including tape, filter wrappers, batteries and food scraps.
4. Leave what you find
Don't move rocks, logs or artifacts to "improve" a composition, and never pick flowers. In ghost towns and archaeological sites, removing objects is illegal.
5. Minimize campfire impacts
Use a stove; respect fire bans, which are common in summer.
6. Respect wildlife
Keep your distance, never feed or bait animals, and avoid nests and dens. See wildlife ethics.
7. Be considerate of other visitors
Share popular viewpoints, keep tripods out of walkways, keep drones grounded where they're prohibited, and keep lights low at night.
Geotagging
Sharing exact coordinates of fragile spots — a hidden wildflower bloom, an owl roost — can bring crowds that damage them. For sensitive subjects, share the general area or nothing at all.
About 1 min read · Updated 2026-10-20