Leave no trace on vehicle-based trips
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The short answer
Leave the place as you found it. Take your litter and food waste home, have fires and barbecues only where the signs allow, park clear of gateways and driveways, and keep dogs under control around livestock. The official codes set these basics for England, Wales and Scotland. Rules on the land you're on come first.
Take your litter home
The Countryside Code tells you to "take your litter home - leave no trace of your visit". Bring a bag, take rubbish and food waste home, or use public bins or recycling where they exist. GOV.UK: The Countryside Code says dropping litter and dumping rubbish are criminal offences. Natural Resources Wales gives the same advice for Wales.
In Scotland, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code asks campers to take away all belongings and litter. Pick up broken glass with your rubbish, because it can start fires, and take cigarette ends away, because they can still ignite dry grass.
Before you drive off, check the pitch against the after-trip checklist.
Toilets and human waste
The Scottish code says that where there are no public toilets nearby, you should pack "a trowel, toilet paper, hand sanitiser, and sealable bags for your litter". Its advice for human waste is to "bury it in a shallow hole and replace the turf, or bag it and carry it away with you". For urine, it advises doing so "at least 30 metres from lochs, rivers and burns".
The access codes don't cover chemical toilet cassettes or grey water. Use the campsite's disposal point, and ask the site or land manager where grey water can go. Campsites differ, so check before you empty anything.
Fires, stoves and barbecues
The Countryside Code says to "do not light fires and only have BBQs where signs say you can". Put out any barbecue, make sure the ashes are cold and dispose of them responsibly.
In Scotland, the code asks you to cook on a camping stove rather than a fire. It says "do not light an open fire, including in fire bowls or BBQs, during times of high fire risk", and to place a stove on a level, non-flammable surface away from dry grass and vegetation. For a stove set-up, see camp kitchen setup.
Don't burn rubbish on a fire. Natural Resources Wales says that burning plastic, rubber, glass, oils or metal "is likely to produce dark smoke and harmful chemicals".
Parking and gates
The Countryside Code says to "make sure you do not block access to gateways or driveways when parking", and to "always leave access for emergency vehicles". The Scottish code says that "access rights don't include motor vehicles", and that if a landowner restricts or regulates parking, "you must respect this".
Leave gates as you find them, or follow the instructions on signs. When you're in a group, make sure the last person knows how to leave the gates. Check the rules for your spot in wild camping rules in the UK and sleeping in your car in the UK. In Scotland, see the Scottish code and vehicles. Book a site that suits your setup with the campsite booking checklist.
Livestock, wildlife and dogs
Keep dogs under control and in sight, and be confident your dog will come back when called. The Countryside Code says it's good practice to keep your dog on a lead around livestock. Bag dog poo and bin it, because "never leave bags of dog poo around, even if you intend to pick them up later".
Don't feed livestock, horses or wild animals, because it can harm them. Don't interfere with farm machinery, horses or livestock. Take care not to disturb wildlife, including birds that nest on the ground.
Leave the pitch as you found it
The Countryside Code says to "leave rocks, stone, plants and trees as you find them", and not to disturb ruins or historic sites. The Scottish code says to leave no trace of your visit, to leave deadwood on the ground, and never to cut down or damage trees.
FAQs
Do I have to take my rubbish home if there's a bin?
The Countryside Code asks you to take your rubbish and food waste home, and to use public bins or recycle if possible. Bins are an option where they exist, not a reason to leave waste on the ground.
Can I have a campfire?
Only where signs say it's allowed. The Countryside Code says not to light fires and to use barbecues only where signs permit. The Scottish code asks you to use a stove instead of an open fire, and says not to light an open fire during times of high fire risk.
Can I empty a chemical toilet or grey water on the ground?
The access codes don't cover this. Use the campsite's disposal point, and ask the site or land manager what's allowed before you empty anything.
Can I park on a verge?
The Countryside Code asks you not to block access to gateways or driveways, and to leave access for emergency vehicles. In Scotland, the code says access rights don't include motor vehicles, and that landowner parking restrictions must be respected.
Next: check where you can stop
Read wild camping rules in the UK to see what applies before you choose a spot.
More in Camping rules
Sources
- GOV.UK, The Countryside Code for England: litter, fires and barbecues, gates, livestock, dogs, parking and leaving places as found (checked )
- Natural Resources Wales, the Countryside Code for Wales: litter, dog waste, fires and barbecues, livestock and leaving places as found (checked )
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code, NatureScot guidance for campers: litter, toilet waste, stoves instead of open fires, vehicles and trees (checked )
- Natural Resources Wales on burning waste: plastic, rubber, glass, oils and metal give off dark smoke and harmful chemicals (checked )