We all want to be able to enjoy the majestic beauty of the Grand Tetons National Park and surrounding nature throughout our lifetimes and for generations to come. That’s why when it comes to practicing resource stewardship, one measure that the ranch  supports is Leave No Trace.

Essentially, Leave No Trace is a set of seven principles and best practices promoted by The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, and is widely understood and adopted by outdoor enthusiasts to help ensure our enjoyment of the outdoors isn’t reduced by our own impact. While most of us don’t intend to harm our natural surroundings, we may not be aware or considering the outcome of decisions we make in the wild.

We put all 7 Leave No Trace principles into action in our operations at the ranch; for example, during guided fishing excursions to the most pristine areas of the forest, we pack out all flies, tippets, and leaders used on the tour. We never leave behind fishing lines that get tangled in bushes. We also teach guests not to cut brush out of the way and to instead find another spot to fish. On every trip, we bring trash containers to eliminate left-behind waste and to prevent ingestion of food scraps by bears and other wildlife.

As you are considering how to enact Leave No Trace on your journeys, here are the seven principles to follow:

1) Plan Ahead and Prepare

  • Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit
  • Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies
  • Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use
  • Visit in small groups when possible; consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups
  • Repackage food to minimize waste
  • Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging

2) Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

  • Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites
  • Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams
  • Keep campsites small; focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent
  • Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when it’s wet or muddy

3) Dispose of Waste Properly

  • Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Dispose of trash in a proper place. Bear proof trash cans are located at most trailheads, hold on to your food wrappers until you find one. Always leave a place cleaner than you found it and pack out everything you packed in
  • Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. (Some highly active areas require human waste to be packed out, too; check before leaving for your trip)
  • Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products
  • To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Strain your dishwater of any food scraps; scatter the strained water away from lakes and streams)

4) Leave What You Find

  • Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts
  • Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them
  • Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species
  • Do not build structure, furniture, or dig trenches

5) Minimize Campfire Impacts

  • Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans or mound fires
  • Keep fires small; use only sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand
  • Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes

6) Respect Wildlife

  • Observe wildlife from a distance; do not follow or approach them
  • Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers
  • Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely
  • Control pets at all times, or leave them at home (where permitted; again, check before going)
  • Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter

7) Be Considerate of Other Visitors

  • Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience
  • Be courteous, and yield to other users on the trail
  • Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock
  • Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors
  • Let nature’s sounds prevail; avoid loud voices and noises

We hope you enjoy your stay while at the Turpin Meadow Ranch and surrounding areas. Please let us know if you have questions, would like trail or scenery recommendations, or would like to further discuss resource stewardship best practices on your trip. You can also visit our Adventures page for information about our guides, tours, and activities.

More about Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
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Note: the seven principles of Leave No Trace are copyrighted and courtesy of The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.