Leave No Trace is a set of outdoor ethics built on science and shared responsibility. Originally developed in the United States, it has grown into a global movement with formal organizations in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and beyond.
The global organization
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1994. It operates programs in all 50 US states and more than 100 countries, with formal national branches in Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.
Leave No Trace Canada
Leave No Trace Canada (Sans Trace Canada) is a registered national charity, officially incorporated in 2006 with the support of 6 founding members: Parks Canada, MEC, Aventure Écotourisme Québec, and Scouts Canada, among others. Its mission is to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through science-based education and partnerships across Canada — coast to coast, in both official languages.
Why does it exist?
As outdoor recreation grew dramatically in the second half of the 20th century, so did its impact on ecosystems, trails, wildlife, and water sources. Leave No Trace was created to give every outdoor enthusiast a practical, science-backed framework for minimizing that impact. The goal is simple: enjoy the outdoors fully, and leave it unchanged for those who follow.
Education and reach
Leave No Trace reaches millions of people each year through workshops, instructor training, youth programs, and partnerships with businesses, parks, and outdoor organizations. The program is used by national parks, guide services, outdoor retailers, schools, and summer camps.
The framework
The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
These seven principles are the backbone of responsible outdoor recreation. They apply everywhere — from backcountry wilderness to your neighbourhood park — and they are grounded in decades of recreation ecology research.
01
Plan ahead and prepare
Know the rules and conditions of the area before you go. Prepare for weather, emergencies, and the specific demands of your activity. Good planning reduces unexpected situations and the impact that comes with them.
02
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Stick to established trails, campsites, and rock surfaces. Walk single file on trails, especially in wet or muddy conditions. Avoid shortcutting switchbacks or trampling fragile vegetation.
03
Dispose of waste properly
Pack out everything you pack in — including food scraps, wrappers, and orange peels. Use designated washrooms or proper backcountry waste disposal techniques. Leave water sources cleaner than you found them.
04
Leave what you find
Observe natural and cultural objects, but leave them as you found them. Do not pick plants, move rocks, or take artifacts. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species from one area to another.
05
Minimize campfire impacts
Use established fire rings where fires are permitted, keep fires small, and burn wood completely to ash. Always check fire restrictions before heading out. When in doubt, use a camp stove instead.
06
Respect wildlife
Observe animals from a distance and never feed them. Feeding wildlife disrupts their natural behaviour, affects their health, and can create dangerous situations for both animals and people. Store food and scented items properly.
07
Be considerate of other visitors
Keep noise levels low. Yield to other users on the trail. Respect the solitude that other guests are looking for. The quality of everyone's experience depends on each of us.
For our guests
How to practice Leave No Trace on our activities
You don't need to be a wilderness expert to practice Leave No Trace. Here's how the principles apply specifically to the activities we have at The Tremblant Activity Centre.
Stay on marked trails and paths. On guided hikes, horseback rides, and ATV excursions, follow the route set by your guide. If you are self-guiding then stick to the trail using the maps we've provided. Cutting corners or veering off trail damages vegetation and can accelerate erosion on our mountain terrain.
Pack out everything you bring in. If you carry a snack, a coffee cup, or a wrapper onto an activity, bring it back. Our forests and fields, beaches, rivers and lakes are not waste bins. We don't have trash cans in the backcountry.
Keep food and drinks away from wildlife. On any outdoor activity with meals, like rafting, hiking, or a ready to camp stay, store food properly and never offer it to animals. Bears, raccoons, and birds that associate humans with food become a problem for the whole ecosystem.
Respect the water. On our rafting, canoe/kayak, and boating activities, avoid disturbing river beds and shorelines. Do not wash with soap in or near the water. Clean your gear to prevent the spread of invasive species between bodies of water.
Keep noise down. Whether you're on a guided snowshoe tour, a sunset hike, or staying overnight on a ready to camp experience, the guests around you came for the quiet of the forest. Keep voices low and music to yourself.
Observe wildlife from a distance. If you spot a bear, a moose, a fox, or any other animal during your activity, enjoy the moment from where you stand. Do not approach, follow, or attempt to photograph from close range. Notify your guide immediately.
Leave natural objects where you find them. A rock, a feather, a mushroom, a pinecone — these belong to the ecosystem, not to your pocket.
Check trail and weather conditions before you arrive. Cold, heat, ice, wind, rain, high or low water levels are some of the conditions that can come into play. We post updates on our activity pages and in your Reservation Email. Detailed weather forecasts are easy to get online — read them before heading out.
Yield to other guests on shared trails. Bikers yield to hikers. Everyone yields to horses. Downhill users yield to uphill users. When in doubt, step aside and let others pass. A small gesture goes a long way on a busy trail.
Follow your guide's instructions. Many of our guides and instructors are trained in Leave No Trace practices. When they ask you to stay on a path, avoid a zone, or handle equipment a certain way, there's often a reason tied to the health of the environment or the experience of others.
Our commitment to Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is not just a certification we display — it's a practice we integrate into how we train our teams, design our activities, and communicate with our guests. Both of our businesses are members of Leave No Trace Canada.
The Tremblant Activity Centre
Les Refuges Perchés - Mont-Tremblant Treehouses
Les Refuges Perchés operates within Parc Éco-Laurentides on Lac Cordon — a protected natural environment where Leave No Trace practices are not optional. Every treehouse stay is designed to minimize footprint, preserve the forest canopy, and respect the wildlife corridors that run through the park.
