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Camping around Lake Ouachita and on the Islands of Lake
Ouachita without a trace are signs of a responsible expert outdoorsman who cares for the environment.
Check with the
Corp-of Engineers to be sure of the proper
Island Camping techniques.
Protect the Water, Land and Islands of Lake Ouachita remember that while you are
there, you are a visitor.
When you visit a friend you are always careful to
leave that person's home just as you found it. You would never think of
dropping litter on the carpet, chopping down trees in the yard, putting soap
in the drinking water, or marking your name on the living room wall. When
you visit the islands, the same courtesy applies.
TREAD LIGHTLY on the land.
Leave everything just as you found it
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Pack It In, Pack It Out
Sanitation
Leave What You Find
Minimize Site Alterations
Minimize Campfire Use
Respect Wildlife
The Leave No Trace principles might not seem important
at first glance, but their value is apparent when considering the
combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors.
Leaving no trace is everyone's responsibility.
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Proper trip planning and preparation helps campers accomplish
goals safely and enjoyably while minimizing damage to natural and
cultural resources. Campers who plan ahead can avoid unexpected situations,
and minimize their impact by complying with area regulations.
Proper
planning consist of obtaining information concerning
geography and weather and preparing accordingly.
Properly located campsites because campers allotted enough time to reach
their destination.
Appropriate campfires and minimal trash because of careful meal planning and
food repackaging and proper equipment
Comfortable and fun camping and hiking experiences because the outing
matches the skill level of the participants.
Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces
Damage to land occurs when visitors trample vegetation or communities of
organisms beyond recovery. The resulting barren areas develop into
undesirable trails, campsites, and soil erosion.
Concentrate your activities where
vegetation is already absent. Minimize resource damage by using existing
trails and selecting designated or existing campsites.
Always choose the most
durable surfaces available: rock, gravel, dry grasses.
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This simple yet effective saying motivates backcountry visitors to take
their trash home with them. It makes sense to carry out of the backcountry
the extra materials taken there by your group or others. Minimize the need
to pack out food scraps by carefully planning meals. Accept the challenge of
packing out everything you bring.
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Help prevent contamination of natural water sources: After
straining food particles, properly dispose of dishwater by dispersing at
least 200 feet (about 80 to 100 strides for a youth) from springs, streams,
and lakes. Use biodegradable soap 200 feet or more from any water source.
Human Waste:
Proper disposal of human waste is important to
avoid pollution of water sources, avoid the negative
implications of someone else finding it, minimize the
possibility of spreading disease, and maximize the rate of
decomposition.
In most locations, burying human feces in the correct manner is
the most effective method to meet these criteria.
Cat-holes are the most widely accepted method of
waste disposal. Locate cat-holes at least 200 feet (about 70
adult steps) from water, trails and camp. Select an
inconspicuous site where other people will be unlikely to walk
or camp. With a small garden trowel, dig a hole 6-8 inches deep
and 4-6 inches in diameter. The cat-hole should be covered and
disguised with natural materials when finished. If camping in
the area for more than one night, or if camping with a large
group, cat-hole sites should be widely dispersed.
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Allow others a sense of discovery: Leave rocks, plants, animals,
archaeological artifacts, and other objects as you find them. It is
illegal to remove artifacts from Lake Ouachita.
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Do not dig tent trenches or build lean-tos, tables, or chairs. Never hammer
nails into trees, hack at trees with hatchets or saws, or damage bark and
roots by tying horses to trees for extended periods. Replace surface rocks
or twigs that you cleared from the campsite. On high-impact sites, clean the
area and dismantle inappropriate user-built facilities such as multiple fire
rings and log seats or tables.
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Some people would not think of camping without a
campfire. Yet the naturalness of many areas has been degraded by overuse
of fires and increasing demand for firewood. Lightweight camp stoves
make low-impact camping possible by encouraging a shift away from fires.
Stoves are fast, eliminate the need for firewood, and make cleanup after
meals easier.
If you build a fire, the most important consideration is the potential
for resource damage. Whenever possible, use an existing campfire ring in
a well-placed campsite.
True Leave No Trace fires are small. Use dead and downed wood no larger than
an adult's wrist. When possible, burn all wood to ash and remove all
unburned trash and food from the fire ring. If a site has two or more fire
rings, dismantle all but one and scatter the materials in the
surrounding area. Be certain all wood and campfire debris is dead out.
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Quick movements and loud noises are stressful to animals. Considerate
campers practice these safety methods:
Observe wildlife from afar to avoid disturbing them.
Give animals a wide berth, especially during breeding, nesting, and birthing
seasons.
Store food securely and keep garbage and food scraps away from animals so
they will not acquire bad habits. Help keep wildlife wild.
You are too close if an animal alters its normal activities.
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"Leave No Trace" Information
800-332-4100 or Visit the
Leave No Trace Home
Site
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