Green Outdoors: Camping & Hiking

What better way to experience the best Mother Nature has to offer? Camping and hiking is the ultimate getaway, far from the buzz and structure of everyday life. So it’s no surprise that camping is the number one outdoor activity in the U.S., and one third of Americans have gone camping in the last five years. With so many of us utilizing our parks, trails, mountains, forests, and deserts, it’s important to ensure we’re not leaving our mark.

Whether taking an afternoon hike through the woods or a weeklong camping trip in a state park, you can minimize your environmental impact by preparing yourself with the right equipment, like all-natural or recycled/recyclable camping gear, solar powered electronics, and local grown or organic food. Enjoy the outdoors and don’t leave your footprint behind.

Top 5 Green Tips

1. Plan Your Adventure

However much time you’ll be spending hiking and camping, it’s important to research your trip thoroughly, and the web has all you need. Take season and climate into consideration, as well as difficulty of navigating terrain and experience of travelers going with you when considering your destination. Thinking of traveling to a state park? Log on to L.L.Bean’s Park Search feature, and search for a park by name or location and activity. It offers helpful “need to know” facts. Plan your itinerary and print only the information you need—on recycled paper, of course.

2. Walk On... Off the Road

You won’t get far on your trip without the right pair of hiking boots. Your first consideration should be boots that are waterproof and breathable. Your second consideration: comfort. Plan on wearing your boots on a brisk walk around the neighborhood to break them in before using them on any excursion for the first time. Go the extra green mile by choosing hiking boots made from hemp hemp or recycled content . And protect yourself against blisters by wearing waterproof socks specially made for hiking.

3. Green Your Outdoor Gear

When considering what essential camping gear to buy—tent, sleeping bag, camp stove, and camping lantern—look for items made from recycled content to reduce your carbon footprint. Start with companies that have environmentally friendly programs, like Sierra Designs. Its Green Effect program offers products made from durable, eco-friendly materials. Other materials and product benefits to look for: LED bulbs to meet all of your lighting needs, solar-power options for any electronics you plan on bringing along, and eco-friendly fuel like Ecoflame (it’s sugar cane-derived ethanol is an earth-friendly alternative to Sterno).

4. Don't Go Hungry - Or Thirsty

Tote along local or organic food for your trip. All-natural trail mix is an energizing snack and convenient to pack. Don’t bring any non-biodegradable utensils, plates, or napkins—you can use silverware, special camping bowls, and microfiber washcloths. And remember to account for water. For day trips, don’t use plastic bottled water : bring your H2O in a SIGG Bottle instead. For longer camping adventures or more strenuous hikes, you can boil natural water (bring a camp stove and pot). Water purification tablets also work—and they are easier to carry.

5. Leave No Evidence Behind

Mother Earth should never know you were ever there. Visit Leave No Trace to find more ways to eliminate your footprint. A nonprofit organization, Leave No Trace teaches outdoor environmental skills and principles . Jam-packed with instruction, its website gives detailed information on how to, among other things, dispose of waste properly, minimize campfire impacts, and respect wildlife. It’s a great tool for even the most experienced outdoorsmen and women.

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