We are seeing more people hitting the road and embracing the nomadic lifestyle in vans and other vehicles, as well as people simply going on road trips for a vacation. Your trips will most likely include scenic adventures and camping on public lands or open spaces. In the digital world of social media, you don’t have to look far to see millions of posts featuring picturesque Utah landscapes and pickup trucks converted into mobile living spaces. On Instagram, there are more than 13.2 million posts with the “van life” hashtag. With visitors on public lands on the rise, it’s up to all of us to recreate responsibly and do everything we can to minimize the impact on these beautiful outdoor spaces.
For many adventurers of the van life, Leave No Trace principles are essential to their lifestyle on the road. We’ve created this guide to share key tips with adventurers for responsible recreation and help minimize the impact of this popular minimalist lifestyle on public lands.
van plans
Are your dreams for your epic road trip starting to come true? Make sure your plans don’t fall through the cracks like your phone falling off the side of your car seat! Plan ahead, have a backup plan, and learn about the land you’re visiting before you arrive.
Parking and Stay Limits
Depending on the lands you visit, there may be local laws and regulations regarding camping and truck parking. Some areas may have a time limit for camping on public land and how far you must be from water resources. All public lands managed by the Utah Bureau of Land Management have a 14-day stay limit. For more information, contact the local field office, visitor center, and/or ranger station for the area you plan to visit. Visit our website for a list of Utah Bureau of Land Management offices and visitor centers.
travel security
Safety should always be high on your road trip list. Before you leave, let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to arrive at your next destination, as well as how long you plan to be in the area. If there is an emergency, call 911. To report natural resource crimes such as vandalism on public lands to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Utah, call the enforcement dispatch tip line of BLM Law at 800-722-3998.
Security advice
Be aware of your surroundings and other visitors. Always be considerate of other visitors. Do not rely solely on cell phones for your security because you may not always have cell coverage in remote areas. Explore more safety tips on our website covering rivers, caves, fires, flash floods, summer heat, wildlife and much more: Know Before You Go – Safety Tips.
Camping and Minimizing Impacts
Camping in remote natural areas can offer stunning views and great recreation opportunities, but it also carries a greater chance of damage to natural resources compared to camping in developed recreation sites. Maximize the fun on your next adventures and minimize your impact on public lands by following these tips:
Travel and camping on durable surfaces Travel and camping on durable surfaces. When deciding where to park your vehicle for camping, consider permitted uses for the land, any potential wildlife disturbance, and preventing damage to soil or habitats while traveling. Stay on designated routes to avoid creating new routes or campsites. Dispose of waste properly and take trash with you if trash receptacles are full or unavailable. Keeping recreation sites clean helps them stay open, safe, and enjoyable for future campers. Camping Essentials and Best Practices When cooking, remember that reusable tools and lightweight, efficient camp stoves have become essential gear for camping with minimal impact. The stoves work in almost any weather condition and leave no trace. Conserve water and be responsible around water resources. In remote areas, you may run out of water and be far from places to get more; prepare and plan ahead. Do not wash dishes or put soap/chemicals in water sources such as rivers, lakes, streams, etc. To wash dishes or wash yourself, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and spread filtered dish water. Use hot water and give dishes a good scrub (only use soap if necessary). Soap, even when biodegradable, can affect the quality of water in lakes and streams, so minimize its use. Use hand sanitizers to wash your hands, so you don’t have to worry about sewage disposal. Properly dispose of sewage away from your campsite and follow best practices at developed campgrounds, as sewage can attract wildlife. Respect and keep a safe distance away from wildlife. Do not feed wildlife as it can harm their health and disrupt their natural behavior. Keep food and other items that may attract wildlife in wildlife-resistant containers.
When Nature Calls… Dispose of Human Waste Properly
On public lands, there have been issues with human waste, dog waste, and toilet paper not being disposed of properly. Proper disposal of human waste is important to prevent contamination of water sources, minimizing the chances of disease spread and maximizing the rate of decomposition. Help us keep public lands safe and healthy by properly packaging human and dog waste and toilet paper.
Portables toilets
Portable toilets (also called “packaged” toilet systems) should be an essential item in your camping kit for packing up human waste. Burning toilet paper is not recommended due to the risk of a wildfire.
Proper disposal of human waste
Check out our “When Nature Calls…Properly Dispose of Human Waste” page for more information on how to properly dispose of human waste and visit the Gotta Go Utah website for an excellent guide on proper disposal methods for different areas .
Campfires, Fire Restrictions, and Wildfire Prevention
Abandoned campfires remain the leading cause of human-caused wildfires, but many wildfires throughout Utah are burning along our roadways. When considering where to park and drive your vehicle, never park or drive on dry grass or vegetation. Hot exhausts and mufflers can start fires you won’t even see…until it’s too late.
Safety and Fire Restrictions for Campfires
The best place to build a fire is within an existing fire ring at a well-placed campsite. Keep the fire small and burning only for as long as you are using it. Campfire safety and knowledge of current fire restrictions are essential to preventing wildfires. Put out campfires properly using the “smother, stir, and feel” method. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to put down. To learn more about how you can do your part to prevent a wildfire, visit: https://utahfiresense.org. Check local fire restrictions in Utah at: http://utahfireinfo.gov.
keep your vehicle
Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained by making sure your brakes aren’t too worn that they can cause metal-to-metal contact, nothing drags on the ground, and checking for proper tire pressure to prevent blowouts. Having your vehicle inspected regularly before your next trip on public land will help you have a fun and safe outdoor adventure.
Create content responsibly
You have the opportunity to inspire responsible storytelling and outdoor recreation by creating content that highlights your life’s truck adventures. As you research locations and create content, keep these tips in mind:
responsible storytelling
Know before you go: Permits may be required and take time to process. Connect with land managers about permit requirements, weather, and local guidelines.
Plan and prepare: The outdoors can be high risk with rapidly changing conditions. Consider the terrain and arrange suitable transportation. Be prepared with the proper equipment and be aware of drone “no fly zones”. Bring plenty of water and safety gear.
Respect to others: Avoid blocking trails, views, or byways. Give space to people who have fun or work. Think about how your presence impacts the space. Try to blend in with the scenery if possible. Be mindful of tagging or revealing specific locations and consider the impact. Visit cultural and heritage sites with respect to help protect our shared heritage in Utah.
make it better: Inspire others to respect and nurture outdoor spaces. It represents responsible recreation in action, and behind the scenes.
Visit the Recreate Responsibly website for more tips for content creators.
As you explore and enjoy public lands, please recreate responsibly.
Source: www.blm.gov