How to Plan and Prepare to Minimize Your Environmental Impact when RVing Off-Road

How to Plan and Prepare to Minimize Your Environmental Impact when RVing Off-Road 
Tips for treading lightly during vehicle-based overland travel.

By: Peter & Kathy Holcombe

Vehicle-based overlanding offers a unique sense of freedom—traveling far beyond paved roads, discovering remote landscapes, and experiencing wilderness areas many people never see. But with that freedom comes responsibility. Motorized travel has a bigger potential footprint than hiking or backpacking, and our vehicles can cause lasting damage to fragile environments if we’re not careful. As more people discover overlanding, practicing a “tread lightly, leave no trace” ethic is essential to preserve the trails and wild spaces we love.

Whether you're new to overlanding or a seasoned traveler, taking some time to make an intentional and responsible plan can ensure your adventures minimize impact, respect wildlife and local communities, and keep trails open for everyone.

Tread Lightly in Your RV: Plan and Prepare for Responsible Camping

Leave-no-trace travel starts long before your tires touch dirt. Responsible planning is the first step in protecting public lands. Below are some of the important steps you should take when preparing for your trip. 

1. Know the rules and regulations provided by the land managers

Different trail systems and regions are managed by different agencies—BLM, Forest Service, National Parks, state lands, tribal lands, or private property. 

Each agency has its own rules governing:

• Which roads are open to motorized travel
• Seasonal closures
• Fire restrictions
• Required permits
• Camping limitations (e.g., distance from water sources, stay limits)
• Group size limits
• Special protections for wildlife or cultural sites
• Off-highway vehicle (OHV) regulations

Look up the specific area and associated rules on the managing agency’s website:

• U.S. Forest Service (USFS): Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs), road status, camping rules
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go
  • https://www.fs.usda.gov/recreation/maps
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM): OHV rules, travel management maps, permits, area-specific regulations
  • https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/OHV
  • https://www.blm.gov/maps
• National Park Service (NPS): Park-specific rules, road openings, backcountry permits, fire restrictions
  • https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm (Select your park, then check “Plan Your Visit” and go to “Basic Information” or “Permits & Reservations.”)
• State lands (varies by state): Many states maintain their own OHV trail systems and camping rules. Look up your state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Parks & Wildlife department, or State Lands office.
• Tribal lands: Travel often requires advance permission. Start with the governing tribe’s official website or tourism office.

Download or print official maps for offline use—especially MVUMs for National Forest land. These maps show exactly which routes are legal. Remember: Driving off designated roads is often illegal and always harmful.

2. Plan your route and exit strategy

Responsible travel includes safety—having to be rescued in the backcountry can cause additional impact on the land. Tell someone your itinerary, carry a communication device, and prepare for the terrain realistically. When you know where you’re going and how you’ll navigate it, you’re also less likely to damage areas by making uninformed detours or searching for an alternative camping spot at the last minute.

When driving off-road, remember that the core idea of treading lightly is simple: stay on existing routes. Review the maps provided, use forums and consult rangers to ask about current conditions, and plan your trip accordingly. Cutting corners, creating new paths to bypass obstacles, or driving into fields, meadows, or deserts damages vegetation and destroys wildlife habitats. 

It is critical to avoid sensitive environments when driving and camping in these natural areas. Special environments such as alpine tundra, biological soil crusts (cryptobiotic soil), wetlands, and deserts are extremely vulnerable. Even a small amount of tire pressure can cause long-term damage. Research whether your route passes through such areas and adjust accordingly.

3. Check trail conditions and closures

The weather can change everything. Heavy rains, wildfire activity, flooding, or snow can force sudden closures. Trails can also be closed for restoration, wildlife protection, or erosion control. Checking current conditions helps you avoid damaging sensitive trails or getting stuck in dangerous situations.

Get insights on which trails are appropriate for your vehicle and read recent trip reports on apps like OnX Offroad or in RVer and overlanding forums. Plus, be sure to get updated information on current conditions from the ranger station before heading out.

4. Research appropriate camping locations and check for burn bans

Choose existing campsites by using apps and forums to check for appropriate places to park your RV or vehicle for the night. The more you reuse established sites, the less pressure there is on surrounding areas. Look at the map to make sure you are avoiding camping too close to water sources and confirm you can get to the location by driving on a designated trail.

Always check for burn bans before your trip and again when entering the area. You can also consider using a camp stove or propane fire pit to reduce risk and impact.

If campfires are allowed and you do choose to have one, be sure to follow these guidelines:

• Use existing fire rings
• Keep fires small
• Burn only locally sourced wood where legal
• Fully extinguish fires until the ashes are cool enough to touch

Learn more about campfire safety here.

5. Prepare your vehicle to minimize environmental damage

A properly maintained vehicle reduces the chance of leaks, breakdowns, or trail blockages. In addition to making sure your rig is up for the adventure, you should also do some maintenance checks before hitting the road.

Before departing, check:

• Fluid levels and leaks (oil, coolant, transmission, brake fluid)
• Tire pressure appropriate for both pavement and trail
• Any other issues that would need attention before going off-road
• Completing maintenance at home prevents spills or breakdowns on the trail—sites where fluids leak into soil can take years to recover.

You should also make sure you are bringing these off-grid essentials:

• Recovery gear (tow straps, traction boards, shovel)
• Fire extinguishers
• Trash and waste storage bags (including extra bags for micro trash and cleaning up what others may have left behind)
• Human-waste solution (if not using your tanks, have wag bags or a portable toilet)

Read this guide to off-road recovery gear for RVers and how to use it!

Remember to Follow Leave No Trace Principles While RV Camping

After researching and planning a responsible trip, make sure to refresh your memory on the other Leave No Trace principles and how they apply to RV travel or overlanding in a vehicle to be successful in minimizing your impact on the natural environment you are exploring.

Travel and Camp Only on Durable Surfaces

You should always stay on the designated trail—no exceptions. If a trail becomes rutted or muddy, the correct action is to drive through the center of the trail, not around it. Driving around obstacles widens the trail—a major cause of erosion and trail degradation.

It is also important to choose existing campsites rather than creating new ones. Look for obvious hardened ground, existing fire rings, and flat, open spaces. You should also avoid camping near water sources (200 feet away is a common guideline).

Dispose of Waste Properly

Vehicle-based travelers have no excuse for leaving waste behind; you have on-board tanks, cargo space, and the ability to carry out everything you bring in. Even small items like bottle caps, food wrappers, or twist ties can harm wildlife. Some places allow “catholes” for human waste, but many deserts, national parks, and river canyons require packing out all human waste because the soil cannot decompose it quickly.

Do not dump gray water or soapy water in streams, lakes, or near camp. Filter out food particles, pack them out, and disperse gray water at least 200 feet from water sources. Of course, you should also never drain radiators, fuel, or oil in the backcountry. Bring spill mats and store used fluids securely until you reach proper disposal.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires are a cherished tradition, but they come with real risk. It is important to know current fire restrictions since burn bans can change daily. Research restrictions in advance and check again when you enter the area. Violating fire bans is dangerous and can result in major fines. Many RVers choose to use a propane fire pit as a safer option. 

Respect Wildlife

The remote places reached by overland vehicles are often home to sensitive wildlife populations. Remember to show respect by following these best practices:

• Drive slowly and attentively: Wildlife often cross roads unexpectedly. Slower speeds reduce collisions and dust clouds, both of which stress animals.
• Store food securely: Bears, coyotes, raccoons, and smaller animals all learn to associate humans with food. Use sealed containers, keep a clean camp, and never intentionally feed wildlife.
• Give animals plenty of space: Observe from a distance. Avoid approaching or stopping too close to wildlife for photos, especially during critical times such as early spring or mating season.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Overland travel is often social, so it is important to be courteous to the people and communities around you.

• Yield appropriately: On narrow roads, uphill traffic has the right-of-way. Let faster vehicles pass. Use pullouts as needed.
• Control dust and noise: Slow down near campsites, hikers, or other vehicles. Idling your engine unnecessarily disrupts the peace that many people seek in remote places.
• Respect local communities: Many overland routes pass through small towns and rural areas. Support local businesses, follow community rules, respect private property, and avoid blocking driveways or trails.

Leave a Place Better Than You Found It

The highest expression of the overland ethic is not just avoiding harm but actively improving the landscape.

These are some ways you can do your part:

• Pick up trash even if it isn’t yours
• Dismantle unauthorized fire rings
• Smooth out ruts or fill holes, if safe
• Report vandalism, reckless driving, or illegal dumping
• By taking responsibility for the land, you help preserve the quality of the experience for those who follow.

Remember: Stewardship is Essential for the Future of Overlanding

Overlanding isn’t just about adventure—it's about stewardship. As more people venture onto public lands with increasingly capable vehicles, practicing “tread lightly, leave no trace” becomes more important than ever. Thoughtful preparation, responsible driving, respect for wildlife, and careful campsite practices protect the wild spaces we cherish.

If we want trails to remain open, ecosystems to remain healthy, and remote places to remain wild, each traveler must make conservation part of the journey. By doing your research, planning ahead, and minimizing your footprint, you help ensure that overlanding remains a sustainable and inspiring way to explore the world for generations to come.

Learn more at LNT.org and TreadLightly.org.