Recreating Responsibly in Moab: Leave No Trace

1. Plan ahead & prepare.

Hiking in the desert comes with unique considerations, so make sure you do the following things before heading out on a hike:

• Check the weather and dress/pack appropriately. If rain is in the forecast do not go on a slot canyon hike.

• Research the trail you're planning on hiking so you know what to expect and to ensure it's within your skill level. Make sure to carry a map on the trail.

• Always pack enough water in the desert. Some of the hikes in this guide provide access to water sources along the trail, as noted, but this water may be silty even when filtered. The recommended amount of water to carry on a hike in the desert is 1L/hour of hiking that you plan on doing, although you may need more during warmer months and less during cooler months.

2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces.

It's important to hike and camp on durable surfaces to help minimize your impact on the land. You'll find cryptobiotic soil around Moab, which is a biological soil crust that helps stabilize the desert and prevent erosion. When hiking make sure to stay on designated trails, or travel on other durable surfaces, like slickrock and washes.

When it comes to choosing a campsite it's important to choose an established site. The easiest way to identify one is typically by seeing fire ring. The land will also be disturbed and have a clear place for parking. I did my best to include a mix of campgrounds and dispersed camping areas in this guide, focusing on areas that have a variety of dispersed camping sites available vs. random one-off sites I've camped at.

3. Dispose of waste properly.

Pack it in, pack it out! It's important to pack out all waste and trash, including food scraps. Moab is an arid environment, so it takes a long time for food waste to breakdown.

When it comes to pooping in the desert, you're going to need to either use an established toilet (typically a pit toilet if you're at a trailhead or campground) or use a WAG bag to pack out your waste. Digging a cat hole is actually illegal in Grand County!

4. Leave what you find.

Leaving the natural and historic resources you find on your adventures ensures that other people will have the chance to enjoy them. When it comes to archaeological resources, including arrowheads, pottery shards, and dwelling sites, it's illegal to take or damage them. Avoid touching petroglyphs or archaeological sites to avoid potential damage. Dogs should never be allowed inside an archaeological site.

5. Minimize campfire impacts.

Before you have a campfire make sure that you check for fire bans. Always practice fire safety, which means creating your campfire in an existing fire ring; making sure the fire is attended and doesn’t get out of control; and making sure the fire is out completely when you're done (stir the ashes until they are cool to the touch).

6. Respect wildlife.

You may encounter a variety of wildlife while hiking in southern Utah. The most common wildlife include deer, pronghorn, lizards, birds, and small game, like rabbits. Never approach or feed wildlife.

While it's unlikely you're going to encounter a predator like a bear or mountain lion, it's important to always maintain a safe distance from wildlife. If you're concerned about encountering rattlesnakes, don't be too worried. While they're out there, they aren't as prevalent as you may think they'd be (the Denver foothills have more rattlesnake activity, in contrast). Stay alert while hiking and never put your hand in a place you haven't seen.

7. Be considerate of others.

Moab is an extremely popular destination, and it's important to be considerate of others, especially in the more crowded national parks. If you want to listen to music on your hike then wear headphones instead of blasting it over a bluetooth speaker. Also remember to practice trail etiquette, which includes giving uphill hikers the right of way and yielding to horses.