PASSLANDS

Before you go

Recreate responsibly

Your pass gets you in — how you act once you’re there is what keeps these places worth visiting. A few simple habits protect the land, the wildlife, and the next person’s trip.

Leave No Trace

The seven principles, in plain English:

  1. Plan ahead and prepareKnow the rules, weather, and conditions. Bring water, a map, and the right gear so you don’t have to improvise.
  2. Travel and camp on durable surfacesStay on marked trails and camp in established spots. Walking around mud or cutting switchbacks widens damage.
  3. Pack it in, pack it outTake all trash, leftover food, and litter with you — including things that seem “natural” like orange peels.
  4. Leave what you findLeave rocks, plants, artifacts, and structures as you found them for the next person and the ecosystem.
  5. Minimize campfire impactsUse a stove when you can. Where fires are allowed, keep them small, use existing rings, and put them dead out.
  6. Respect wildlifeObserve from a distance, never feed animals, and store food securely. Fed animals become dangerous and often die.
  7. Be considerate of othersKeep noise down, yield on trails, and let everyone enjoy the quiet they came for.

Fire safety

Wildfire is the fastest way a great trip turns into a tragedy. Check current fire restrictions before you go — they change with the season and can ban all open flames. If fires are allowed: keep them small, never leave one unattended, and drown it until it’s cold to the touch before you leave.

Respect wildlife

Give animals room — if your presence changes their behavior, you’re too close. Never feed wildlife, store food and scented items securely, and keep dogs leashed where required. A fed animal is a dead animal.

When are parks free?

With the America the Beautiful pass, entrance and standard amenity fees are already covered — so “free days” mostly matter if you don’t have the pass. The federal agencies offer several fee-free days each year (holidays like MLK Day, the start of National Park Week, the Great American Outdoors Act anniversary, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day). See the official NPS fee-free days ↗ for the current list.

New to the pass? See the pass and how it works.