Plan Ahead and Prepare
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Know the area and what to expect
- Monitor the weather on the days leading up to your excursion
- Prepare a backup hike or excursion in case the parking lot is full or the weather becomes treacherous
- Select appropriate equipment
Leave What You Find
- Minimize shoreline and campsite alteration
- Avoid damaging live plants and tree
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Camp only at designated SLA campsites
- Always stay on the trails to minimize impact on surrounding plants and wildlife and reduce erosion
- Concentrate impact on durable surfaces by hiking and camping on rock, sand, or gravel
Respect Wildlife
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Enjoy wildlife at a distance - at least 150 feet
- Crowding wildlife can interfere with mating, rearing of young, and eating/sleeping patterns
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Avoid sensitive habitat areas
- Summits frequently have fragile ecosystems with rare plant-life, please remain on durable surfaces when traversing in higher-elevation zones
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Consider leaving your pets at home
- Domesticated animals leave a significant trace when roaming around the woods, thus disrupting wildlife behavior
- If you do recreate with your pet, please keep your pet leashed or under voice control
Properly Dispose of Waste
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Carry-In, Carry-Out
- Maintain natural areas by taking all personal trash, including biodegradable foods, with you when you leave
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Have a plan for using the bathroom
- Toilets are provided on Moon Island, Bowman Island, Chamberlain Reynolds Memorial Forest, and at the West Rattlesnake Trailhead
- Bring a small trowel when you hike so you can dig a 6-8 inch hole for human waste, cover your waste when you are done. Make sure you are 200 feet or further from a water source.
- Bring a bag to pick up your waste, carry it out, and dispose of it properly in the front-country
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Carry all pet waste out with you and dispose of it properly in the front-country
- Dog waste poses a health hazard and pollutes surface water and groundwater
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
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Let nature's sound prevail
- Playing audible music disrupts wildlife and the experience of other recreators
- Only hike or land at public conservation areas
- Keep your group size small
Minimize Impact of Campfires
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Please use firewood provided
- Transported firewood can introduce exotic beetles and other harmful pests)
- Never leave a campfire unattended
- Bring a campstove for cooking