Tread Lightly: Protect the Utah Desert

The Bryce Canyons area is one of North America's most unique and beautiful areas and is enjoyed by thousands of people every season. This being the case, it is especially important to recognize and follow hiking and camping practices that minimize our impact and will allow visitors to continue enjoying Bryce long after we have left it.

Traveling Through the Desert
Although dessert ecosystems breed hardy plants and animals that are capable of withstanding large fluctuations in temperature and long periods without moisture, these same plants and animals can still be harmed very easily by visitors with good intentions. One good example of this is cryptobiotic soil, an incredibly delicate organism that lives within and helps form many desert soils. Although this soil survives freezing temperatures at night and boiling heat during the day, a single footprint can cause damage that will take decades, sometimes even a century, to heal. To avoid this damage and more, travel on hard, durable surfaces such as rock and established trails. When necessary to cross non-durable areas, attempt to follow in one another's footsteps, minimizing the damaged area. These same principles apply to campsites – camp only on natural, durable surfaces, and try not to camp near delicate riparian areas, where erosion can cloud and pollute water sources that many animals depend on. Also, whenever possible, camp out of sight of main trails and other campsites out of respect for others.

Pack It In, Pack It Out
One of the most important tenets of good camping is the principle of leaving nothing but footsteps behind you (and, when possible, not even that). It is especially important in desert ecosystems, where waste and trash will last even long than areas with more moisture, to bring out all your trash and food with you, check your campsite for pieces of micro-trash that may have been accidentally dropped, and properly dispose of human waste. Where possible, dig catholes at least six inches deep and 200 feet from any water sources. If you are in an area where it is not possible to dig a cathole, smear human waste across a sun-baked rock, where it will dry and sterilize as quickly as possible. And always make sure to pack out used toilet paper with you.

When dealing with dirty water from washing, brushing your teeth or cooking and cleaning, be sure to properly disperse the water over a large area away from natural water sources, instead of concentrating it in one spot. If you use soap, be sure to use a biodegradable type, minimize your use as much as possible, and dispose of it well away from water sources.

Dealing With Animals
Although one of the prime reasons to visit an area like Bryce is to view wildlife in its natural state, it is important to remind ourselves that this wildlife needs to be viewed from a distant and that care must be taken to avoid bothering it. Even when we may think that we are helping, by feeding an animal that looks hungry or comforting a young animal that appears to be lost, our actions more often than not cause more harm than help. Also, be sure to secure food in an animal-proof container.

Campfires
Fires can be one of the most damaging sources of impacts while recreating. Aside from getting out of control and spreading, fires can leave burn scars on rocks and other surfaces. To avoid these problems, use camp stoves or pre-established fire rings and keep fires small.

Nothing But Photographs
While it is always tempting to take along a memento of your travels, when practicing good camping and backcountry techniques, it is just as important to take nothing with you as it is to ensure that you have left nothing behind, hence the adage "Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures." Even old historical artifacts, such as ruins or pottery, should be left alone so that future visitors can enjoy them, too.