1. Make a Plan Ahead of Time 

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can lessen your chances of going off-trail or needing to be rescued by being aware of potential hazards and detours. You can also reduce the quantity of rubbish you have to transport by repackaging food in order to eliminate as much packing material as possible.

It's also important to know how popular your favorite trail is and how many people their campsites can accommodate. If you have a large group, it may be important to divide it into smaller groups in order to avoid overstressing local resources. 

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 

Hike on existing paths rather than creating new ones through the woods. It also implies that if you are traveling off the beaten road, such as when hunting, you should avoid areas where a new path is emerging.

For campers, this means just camping in designated locations where there is no vegetation to knockdown. If you must camp in pristine wilderness, do the opposite; avoid previously used campsites in these areas, as frequent use will make it more difficult for native vegetation to recover.

Make sure you're at least 200 feet away from rivers, lakes, and streams wherever you're camping to avoid contaminating natural water.