Can You Leave No Trace?

Visitors big and small can leave an impact on Isle Royale. How will you reduce yours?

NPS / MARGARET BARES

 

Leave No Trace is a set of guidelines that teaches you how to make good decisions outdoors.

By following Leave No Trace, we can take care of Isle Royale! To find out what it means to Leave No Trace, click on the boxes below.

 

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know before you go! Try to learn as much as you can about where you are going, this will help make sure you have everything you need.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Use campsites and trails that are already there. Don't try to make your own!

Dispose of Waste Properly

Anything you bring with you on your trip must go home with you.

Leave What You Find

Draw or take a picture of all the cool things you find. Don't take them home with you, leave them for the next person to see!

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Before you go, check to see where campfires are allowed. If you do have a fire, use small branches that are already on the ground.

Respect Wildlife

Observe animals from far away, and remember - animals don't eat people food!

Be Considerate of Others

There are a lot of people enjoying the outdoors! Do your best to be kind to others you are sharing the space with.

 

About this Activity

• Read each question carefully.
• Choose the answer you think is best.
• Click the box below to reveal the correct answer.

 

VALERIE MARTIN

The weather forecast says it will be mid-70s and sunny during your trip to Isle Royale. What clothes will you pack?

A. A heavy jacket and lots of warm layers.

B. Some lighter layers of clothing, and a rain jacket just in case.

C. Shorts and a t-shirt, it’s going to be hot on the trails!

 

Click for Answer

The best answer is B! Leave No Trace says to plan ahead and prepare. It was smart to check the weather ahead of time for your trip. Although the forecast doesn’t call for any rain, the weather on Isle Royale can be unpredictable. Better to be safe than sorry!

 

NPS / ALAN WEST

You finally arrived at Daisy Farm Campground! You got one of the last campsites off in the woods. You were really hoping you could camp near the water. What do you do?

A. Walk around and try to find a flat spot to set your tent up closer to the water.

B. Create your own campsite by removing some of the plants and branches near the water.

C. Camp in the designated campsite. Enjoy eating dinner on the dock instead.

 

Click for Answer

The best answer is C! Remember the second principle of Leave No Trace - camp and travel on durable surfaces. Creating your own campsite disturbs the surrounding environment. 

 

VALERIE MARTIN

You find a water bottle on the ground at Washington Creek campground. What will you do?

A. Leave it there.

B. Pack it out with you. Turn it into the lost and found at the visitor center.

C. Throw it out when you find a trash can.

 

Click for Answer

The best answer is B! Leave No Trace says to dispose of waste properly. Although this forgotten water bottle is not trash, it doesn't belong in the woods. The best thing to do is turn it in to a ranger at the visitor center so they can get the water bottle back to its owner.

 

MOLLY FETTIG

While walking along the shore at Rainbow Cove, you find a colorful, shiny rock. It's one of the prettiest rocks you've ever seen! What do you do with it?

A. Take a picture of it and leave it on the beach.

B. Put it in your pocket and take it home.

C. Throw it in the water.

 

Click for Answer

The best answer is A! Everything on Isle Royale is protected - which means you should leave things where you find them. This includes things like rocks, plants, and all natural and historical objects. Leaving things where you find them allows other people to enjoy them as well.

 

NPS

When you settle into your campsite at Hatchet Lake, you see burn marks from a campfire on the ground. At the beginning of your trip, a park ranger said campfires should only be in fire rings or grills. What do you do?

A. Have a fire - someone else did it, so that must mean I can too!

B. Ignore it. Leave the burn pile for someone else.

C. Take a picture of it to show a ranger, then scatter the burned logs in the nearby woods.

 

Click for Answer

The best answer is C! On Isle Royale, not all campgrounds allow fires. If you see a fire where there shouldn't be one, take a picture and show a ranger. Try and get rid of burn marks and logs so others aren't tempted to have a fire.

 

NPS / AMIE HEETER

You are camping at Siskiwit Bay and you notice a red fox spending time around the campground. You and your friend are going down to the dock after a snack. He says it’s ok to leave food on the picnic table. What do you do?

A. Pack your food away in your bags and put your bags in your tent.

B. Leave your food out on the picnic table.

C. Put your food back in its container but leave it on the picnic table.

 

Click for Answer

The best answer is A! Keep all food secure and away from wildlife (especially foxes and red squirrels). Never feed or approach any wildlife. This helps keep you and the wildlife safe. 

 

NATHAN FETTIG

Wow! You look at the night sky and see the northern lights are out! You want to find a better viewing spot, but it's quite dark outside. What will you do?

A. Bring a bright flashlight to light up the path.

B. Use a headlamp with a red light mode to see where you’re going.

C. Stumble through the darkness hoping not to run into a moose.

 

Click for Answer

The best answer is B! The final Leave No Trace principle is be kind to others. A red light is useful when you're trying to see where you're going, but want to keep your night vision. It also won’t be as blinding to others walking by you. Now you and other visitors will be able to enjoy the aurora with no light pollution!
 

 

Good job!

Now you can show off your Leave No Trace skills when you spend time outside!

 

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