A Side Note on Rules and Regulations

A Side Note on Rules and Regulations

The increasing use of our nation's parks and forests has led to an increase in rules regulating recreationists' activities. Many of these regulations have been imposed as a result of increased human impacts in these areas. A widespread awareness of Leave No Trace will go a long way toward limiting the rules needed to protect these wild places and protect the freedom of visitors.

Visitors who practice Leave No Trace can avoid the chain of events described below. The negative impact of, and resulting increased number of, rules and regulations is a cycle that can be broken, but only if outdoor visitors practice the Leave No Trace skills outlined in this handbook.