September 6, 2025 - Whether you are looking forward to hiking to Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park, preparing to explore American history at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, or planning to wake up early to catch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, there’s nothing quite like a summer spent exploring our national parks. But with the magic of peak season comes the challenge of sharing these beloved spaces with millions of others. That’s where the joy of responsible recreation comes in!

Boulder fields at Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park where visitors scramble. NPS photo

By exploring responsibly and embracing these Leave No Trace principles, you’re not just protecting nature—you’re becoming part of a community that celebrates and cares for the wild beauty of our national parks. Every thoughtful choice you make helps keep the trails open, the skies dark, and the wildlife safe. So pack your sense of adventure, your love for the outdoors, and your commitment to care—and get ready to enjoy the parks to the fullest, now and for generations to come!

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Peak season brings crowds, limited parking, and full campsites, so planning ahead is crucial. Research park regulations, trail conditions, and weather forecasts before arriving. Make reservations where needed, download offline maps, and pack essential gear. Being prepared helps reduce unexpected impacts on the environment.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Stick to established trails, campsites, and picnic areas to avoid damaging fragile ecosystems.

NPF is proud to invest in modernizing campgrounds at national parks across the country. At Rocky Mountain National Park, for example, an NPF grant awarded to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy is supporting the replacement of aging and failing campground picnic tables with universally accessible tables at Rocky Mountain National Park. The new concrete tables, made possible through support from L.L.Bean, have a 50-year lifespan, so visitors will be able to enjoy for years to come.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly
Litter and food scraps can harm wildlife, so always pack out what you pack in. If you need to dispose of waste in a park, use designated trash and recycling bins.

This year, the Trust for the National Mall leveraged funding from NPF to help the National Mall and Memorial Parks upgrade recycling infrastructure – including new universal labels and signage to reduce recycling contamination, a Leave No Trace social science study to determine future waste program recommendations, a solar trash compactors pilot program, and a dedicated recycling truck. The new recycling infrastructure was made possible through support from The Coca Cola Company.

4. Leave What You Find
Take only memories and photos—never rocks, plants, or artifacts. Even small disruptions can damage ecosystems or erase cultural heritage. By leaving what you find, you help preserve the park for others to enjoy and for scientists to study.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
During peak season, dry conditions often increase fire danger. In many parks, campfires are restricted or prohibited to prevent wildfires. Always follow posted rules.

6. Respect Wildlife
Keep a safe distance from all animals, never feed them, and store food securely. Wildlife can be unpredictable and are best admired from afar. NPF has awarded grants to support wildlife research and conservation, invest in the reintroduction of species like fishers in North Cascades National Park, help stop the rapidly unfolding extinction of Hawaiian honeycreepers, and more.

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Sound travels easily in nature—keep noise levels down, use headphones for music, and minimize light pollution with dim, shielded lights at night. NPF funded projects are helping parks find effective solutions to reduce light pollution, preserving dark skies and the nighttime experience for both visitors and wildlife.

Source: National Park Foundation