7 Ways To Leave No Trace & Travel Responsibly To The San Juan Islands

Let us acknowledge that we reside on the ancestral lands and waters of the Coast Salish people who have called this place home since time immemorial and let us honor inherent, aboriginal, and treaty rights that have been passed down from generation to generation.

We look forward to your visit to the beautiful San Juan Islands, and we hope your visit exceeds your expectations for recreation, relaxation and rejuvenation. Please keep the following in mind, leaving little impact on our precious islands and surrounding waters. San Juan County was the first county in the U.S. to voluntarily adopt San Juan Islands specific "Leave No Trace" principles, so we thank you in advance for adhering to them.

The 7 Leave No Trace principles, tailored to the San Juan Islands environment:

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Stick to Trails and Camp Overnight Right
Trash Your Trash and Pick Up Poop
Leave It As You Find It
Be Careful With Fire
Keep Wildlife Wild
Be Considerate of Others

To stay safe, reduce stress and make the most of your visit:

Know the rules, regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit
Prepare for extreme weather, tides, currents, hazards, emergencies
Check weather reports
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high visitor use
Read books and maps, check online and talk to people before you go
Bring a reusable water bottle along with you and use this map to find places to refill it.

To protect fragile areas such as rocky outcrops with lichens, moss and plants; shoreline and tide pool areas, and native prairies; and respect private property:

Walk and ride in the middle of designated trails
Do not create new trails or trample undeveloped areas
Camp only in designated campsites

Human waste and garbage can be harmful to plants and animals, visitors, and the marine environment. To protect wildlife, human health and keep water clean:

Pack it in, Pack it out. Put litter–even crumbs, peels and cores–in bags and dispose of in garbage cans
Plan ahead and use toilets
If toilets are not available, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet or 70 big steps from water. Pack out toilet paper in ziplock bags and dispose of it in a garbage can
Use a bag to pack out your pet’s poop to a garbage can
Do not put soap, food, human or pet waste in the Salish Sea, lakes or streams

To allow others to enjoy the natural beauty of the San Juan Islands and keep visitors safe:

Leave plants, rocks and historical items as you find them so others can enjoy them
Treat living plants with respect. Carving, hacking or peeling trees or plants may kill them
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native plants and animals

To keep your fire from harming plants, animals or other visitors:

Use a camp stove for cooking. Stoves are easier to cook on and create less impact than a fire
Use only existing fire rings and keep your fire small
Burn all wood to ash and be sure the fire is completely out and cold before you leave
Pack out all trash and food. A fire is not a garbage can
Purchase firewood from a local vendor or gather on site if allowed
Bringing firewood from home can harbor tree killing insects and diseases

Stressing or feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. To keep wildlife healthy:

Observe wildlife from a distance and never approach, feed, or follow them
Learn and follow the ‘Be Whale Wise’ guidelines for boating around marine mammals
Protect wildlife and your food by securely storing your meals and trash.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home
Know and follow leash rules and pet prohibitions for the area you are visiting
Give wildlife extra space during sensitive times (e.g., mating, nesting, raising young, or winter)

To increase the enjoyment of the outdoors for all visitors:

Keep your pet under control to protect it, other visitors, and wildlife
Yield to other users on the trail
Leave generous space between you and other visitors
Avoid making loud noises or yelling
You will also see more wildlife if you are quiet

Find out more at the national Leave No Trace website.

Thank you for helping us to conserve our natural and cultural heritage. The more you know about the area, the more fun you’ll have!

We'd like to acknowledge the Coast Salish peoples as the first stewards of these islands whose traditional lands and waters include the San Juan Islands and surrounding Salish Sea.