"Leave only paddle strokes"

No trace recreation involves identifying the traces of presence that you may leave behind and eliminating them through creative solutions. Keep in mind the potential impact of the following traces and be sure to minimize them.

Tips for low impact usage

One of the simple pleasures of paddling is the chance to land your vessel and stretch your legs. Paddlers are encouraged to use the "dock-rock-sand" method for selecting a landing site. Docks are located on most of the islands highlighted in the route descriptions. When space is available, dock landings provide sheltered, predictable egress points where landing poses no impact to island shorelines. (The yellow line access on national park island docks is reserved for park and emergency vessels. It is often available for paddlers to quickly disembark before carrying craft and gear to a nearby campsite.) Carry your vessel to the campsite or tether to visitor dock space for the evening (fee applies for the latter). Please do not drag boats on the fragile shorelines. If it is not feasible to use docks for landing, please be mindful of your impact when landing on shorelines. Rock (cobble or bedrock) beaches are common throughout the region and offer landing sites that are more resilient than sand beaches. Pay close attention to beach flora if you land on sand beaches. Some of the most rare species that inhabit the region grow in beach habitats, and may easily be trampled. Please ensure that you select an appropriate landing site that is free of vegetation. Finally, enjoy exploring the wetlands of the river from your vessel, but do not land in marsh shoreline habitats, as these areas are extremely fragile.

  When on land, please abide the simple tenet "stay on trail". Island ecosystems are particularly fragile and innocent wandering can lead to trampling of rare flora and may be unsafe (poison ivy grows on many islands and tree branches may be snagged overhead). The trails outlined in the route descriptions are located on islands managed by St. Lawrence Islands National Park. The national park designs and maintains it trail to minimize environmental impact and ensure safety for hikers.

  "Pack in, pack out" refers to solid wastes that cannot be easily burned. This rule is especially important for paddlers to abide by when visiting island and mainland sites. Minimize your garbage waste by reducing the number of cans, bottles and plastic/foil wrapping you use in purchasing and packing the food for your trip.

  Open fires are not permitted on islands managed by St. Lawrence Islands National Park. Fires must be contained within designated fire rings and stands on campsites or in the woodstoves located in shelters. Please burn wood provided at the site or purchased from island attendants; refrain from gathering fallen wood as this causes undue stress on the forest ecosystem. The unique woodland communities of the islands are isolated ecosystems. The health of these natural systems relies on natural processes like decay and soil replenishment to continue unimpeded. The fallen branches, trees and leaves also provide important habitat for the rich diversity of wildlife of the islands.

  Island visitors are encouraged to use a gas stove for cooking. After the meal, do not use the river for washing dishes instead use your largest pot as a dishpan with a biodegradable, phosphate-free soap. Pour waste- water in a shallow hole; pack out waste food.