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As an outdoor creator and blogger based in the western United States it feels irresponsible to share content encouraging people to go hiking and get outdoors on public lands right now without also discussing the risks they’re currently facing. This article aims to share tips on recreating responsibly in national parks and on public lands in 2025.

If you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed a big shift towards public lands updates in my content . I also recently published a Susbtack article detailing some of the attacks on public lands we’re currently seeing, and have a free weekly newsletter rounding up public lands and environmental law news that you can subscribe to. My goal with these resources are to keep people informed about what’s going on with regard to public lands policy right now.

Cuts to staffing, funding, and abrupt changes in management priorities will affect outdoor recreation in national parks and on other public lands this year. This article includes 7 tips to help you recreate responsibly on public lands in the midst of these impacts. It’s more important than ever for everyone to do what they can to minimize their impact when recreating in national parks and on other public lands to help protect these places for future generations.

Recreating Responsibly in National Parks and on Public Lands

1. Plan Ahead

The first Leave No Trace principle is “plan ahead and prepare,” and that couldn’t be more important right now. If you’re planning on hiking or recreating on federal public lands this year it’s important to do some research and prepare ahead of time so you don’t encounter any surprises once you get out onto the land.

How to Plan Ahead:

• Have a plan for your trip and research the places you’re going/trails you’re hiking. Are there any special considerations for the hike or area you’re visiting? Do you need a permit? Are roads open and accessible? Do you need to pack any special gear?
• Check for closures and make a backup plan. Campgrounds, visitor centers, and other areas are already seeing closures and other impacts from federal staffing cuts. The places you usually recreate may not have the same level of accessibility that you’re accustomed to, so come up with a a couple of backup plans before big trips.
• Pack essential gear – plus some extras, just in case. Always carry the 10 essentials and dress appropriately for the trail you’re hiking.
• Make a plan for your poop. It’s possible that pit toilets will be closed or won’t be able to be serviced as frequently in certain areas, so carry extra toilet paper and know the proper way to dispose of human waste in the area where you’re recreating.
• Check the weather. This is not only to help you dress and pack appropriately, but also to help you make an informed decision about whether or not to head out at all. While a little rain never hurts, severe weather can be dangerous and now is not the time to take unnecessary risks.
• Carry a physical map or download a trail map to your phone (make sure to have a backup battery charger if you choose this options).

2. Leave It Better Than You Found It

It’s important for all of us to tread lightly anytime we go hiking or recreate outdoors. Leaving a place better than you found not only includes not being overtly destructive and following Leave No Trace principles, but also doing what you can to improve it so others can enjoy it in the future.

Keep in mind that different areas and different activities have different considerations when it comes to practicing Leave No Trace, so make sure to look up the best practices that are relevant to you (for example, here are some tips for hiking in the desert, including unique LNT considerations). Remember, aiming to leave a place better than you found it is a way to practice reciprocity with the land and express gratitude for your experience.

Here are some ways you can leave a place better than you found it:

• Carry a trash bag and pack out any trash you find along the trail.
• Leave natural objects, like rocks, behind. Never carve into or vandalize rocks or trees.
• Learn about the Indigenous and natural history of the area.
• Pass along Leave No Trace practices to kids and other visitors.
• If you see something, say something. If you witness vandalism, littering, or other harmful activities, tell the person to stop, if it feels safe to do so. Report illegal activities to rangers or land managers.

3. Prioritize Safety

Staffing cuts and funding issues across land management agencies may impact the availability of local search and rescue, or SAR, teams. Obviously no one wants to have to rely on SAR, but accidents can happen at any time (that’s why they’re accidents!). Taking some extra precautions and making good decisions in the backcountry can help you to minimize your risks.

In Colorado most SAR teams are volunteers organized at the county level, but some of the major national parks have their own rescue teams that faced staffing cuts in February. Fortunately, it appears that some of the hasty firing decisions are being reversed and public safety is still a priority for now. A recent Instagram post from Friends of YOSAR confirmed that the National Park Service will be able to hire additional staff for “public safety, incident, and emergency response.”

4. Forgo Traditional Campfires

Did you know that 85% of all wildfires in the United States are caused directly by humans, according to data from the federal government? It’s incredibly important to practice fire safety when camping in order to help prevent human-caused wildfires, and the best way to do that is to not have a traditional campfire at all.

While wildfires can be beneficial to the ecosystem, prescribed burns should only be done when the conditions are right. Accidental wildfires can quickly blow up and get out of control quickly if there are drought conditions or high winds, which is why it’s important to prevent them.

Consider getting a propane fire pit instead of having a traditional campfire. Propane fire pits are much less risky than campfires because there are no sparks and you can easily turn it off. They can also typically be used during stage 1 and stage 2 fire restrictions. My husband and I got a Lavabox propane fire pit a couple of years ago and it has been a great alternative to a traditional campfire. It’s easy to use and we don’t come home smelling like smoke.

5. Support Park Gift Shops and Local Communities

One easy way to show support for national parks and local communities is to purchase souvenirs and gifts from the park gift shop or at locally owned businesses. When you shop at a national park gift shop you also usually have the option to round up or make a donation to the park or a local non-profit that supports the park.

Many gateway communities rely on tourism revenue as a major part of their economy. When you can, try to eat, shop, and stay locally when visiting national parks or traveling to other outdoorsy destinations. I typically try to choose boutique hotels and locally owned restaurants over big chains when traveling. While I recognize that everyone has different budgetary considerations, it’s important to keep the outdoor recreation and tourism economy strong right now if you’re in the position to do so!

6. Consider Visiting State Parks or Other Non-Federal Areas

The biggest impacts to staffing and other cuts to public lands will likely be felt in the West (the region my blog focuses on). While I don’t believe that people should stop visiting and recreating on federal public lands, if you have access to other areas, like state parks, now is a great time to visit them. 

Summer is typically the peak season for people to visit national parks and other public lands, but there is a lot of uncertainty as we head towards that time of year. It’s possible that some areas may be closed or significantly restricted altogether, so if hiking and getting outdoors is a priority to you, and you typically stick to federal public lands, see what else might be available near you.

7. Become an Advocate For the Places You Love

If you love hiking, camping, and recreating on federal public lands, I highly encourage you to become an advocate and supporter of your favorite places. There are many ways to advocate for national parks and public lands, including:

• Staying informed about what’s happening to them.
• Contacting your representatives to voice support for pro-public lands policies
• Volunteering in a local park.
• Donating to friends groups and other non-profits that support your favorite areas.
• Voting for candidates that support public lands and conservation.

If you want to stay up to date on public lands news, subscribe to my Substack newsletter to start receiving my Public Lands Roundup.

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