Stewardship in Recreation

Let's Think

Youth group and chaperone tubing in the Potomac River. NPS Photo

Fun Now and Fun Later

#RecreateResponsibly

Principle #1 – Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass or GPS to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns, or flagging.

Principle #2 – Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Durable surfaces include maintained trails and designated campsites, rock, gravel, sand, dry grasses or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.

In popular areas:

Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.

• Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
• Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
• In pristine areas:

Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.

• Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Principle #3 – Dispose of Waste Properly

• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
• Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible. Otherwise, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Principle #4 – Leave What You Find

• Preserve the past: examine, photograph, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Principle #5 – Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
• Keep fires small. Only use down and dead wood from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Principles #6 – Respect Wildlife

• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, [habituates them to humans], and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Principles #7 – Be Considerate of Others

• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
• Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

Click image for bigger version. NPS Infographic / Matt Turner

Keep Safety In the Picture

Make your trip to a national park a fun and memorable experience for the whole family. Learn how to safely watch and photography wildlife, best time, and how to find the picture perfect location for the best shot! When capturing precious moments, be a smart photographer and follow these picture-perfect tips from the National Park Service.

• Watching wildlife in a park
• Photographing wildlife from your car
• Prepare for your next adventure: NPS Planning Guide
• Beginner's Photography Guide

Practice Your Skills

Play these Trail Games

Start here ⇒ Trail Games

Trail games are a great way to break up your hike or just have fun on the towpath! Take a water break, stretch, and try some of these trail games the next time you visit the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Remember to #RecreateResponsibly and Leave No Trace while having fun in the Park.

Find a TRACK Trail Near You

Find two TRACK Trails in Williamsport, MD. Each trail is about one mile roundtrip. TRACK Trails, part of Kids in Parks, provides family-friendly trails to get kids outdoors and connected with nature.

• More Information at Kids in Parks
• Get started: Find an Adventure

A Curated List — Biking the C&O Canal

Get started here ⇒ Family Biking Trips

Let's go ride a bike on the C&O Canal towpath! Another great way to explore the towpath is on a bicycle with family and friends. There are many places you can access the canal to explore up and down river. Many Canal Towns offer bike rental shops.

• Practice Bike Safety

Youth with chaperone enjoying rock climbing. NPS Photo

Every Kid Outdoors

Hey fourth graders! See America's natural wonders and historic sites with your family for free with the Every Kid Outdoors program. Get a voucher pass that admits the 4th grader, other children, and up to 3 adults. Bring your voucher when you visit the Great Falls area of the C&O Canal.

Let's Move Outside

Did you know that 60 minutes of daily active play outdoors keeps your body healthy? Let's Move Outside encourages you to stay active in your local National Parks. Ride a bike, take a walk, or go for a run along the towpath to stay healthy!

Play More

Passport to Your National Parks: Virtual Cancellation Hub

America's National Parks and NPS brings you Passport To Your National Parks Virtual Cancellations! This program offers park visitors a brand-new batch of park experiences that can be enjoyed from anywhere. Virtual experiences and cancellations will be added throughout the year, so check back often. Continue to the directions below and start your virtual adventure!

Printing Virtual Cancellations

• Complete a virtual experience.
• Click the “Download” button next to the cancellation to view a saveable PDF, or click the image for a PNG file.
• Print your cancellations at 150×150 pixels to get the right cancellation size.

Youth enjoying Great Falls. NPS Photo

Kids in Parks

This fun site is filled with tons of National Parks activities for families. Whether you want to prepare for a hike, explore virtual tours, or events, the Kids in Parks website has endless resources. See links below to find even more fun!

• Junior Ranger books
• Printable and interactive activities
• Virtual tours and videos

Park visitors enjoying yoga on the grass. NPS Photo / Fort Dupont Park

Yoga Hike

Combining art, movement, and meditation, a yoga hike is an easy way to connect in National Parks and with nature around you! Slow yourself down with a reflective hike at the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Benefits from walking the C&O Canal are endless! From improving your physical and mental well-being, boundless photo opportunities, and a great way to spend an afternoon biking in a National Historical Park.

Where this belongs

• Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

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