When visiting Gatlinburg and exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s essential to follow the seven Leave No Trace principles to help preserve the park’s natural beauty. By minimizing your impact and being a responsible visitor, you help protect this treasured landscape for years to come. Preserving the beauty of the Smokies is something we can—and should—all take part in. By abiding by the following set of outdoor ethics, you can help sustain this national treasure for folks to enjoy today, tomorrow and well into the future.
7 Leave No Trace Principles
Plan ahead and prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies.
Travel, camp and hike on durable surfaces and those that show obvious signs of use.
Dispose of waste properly. This includes packing out all trash, leftover food and litter.
Leave what you find. Observe and snap photos but don’t take anything with you.
Minimize campfire impact by using a stove and building fires in existing pits.
Respect wildlife. Do not follow, approach or feed animals and keep pets leashed.
Be considerate of other visitors. Yield to others on trails and be respectful of noise levels.
