LNT Footprint Score
A 0 to 100 rating of how much a planned trip will impact the backcountry, using group size, terrain sensitivity, and length.
Inputs
Result
A natural placement between the calculator and the explanation.
What this solves — and what it doesn't
Leave No Trace (LNT) is more than a slogan — it’s a set of decisions you make when planning. This tool translates those decisions into a 0 to 100 score so you can compare two trips, or adjust one trip down. Group size × nights sets the base load; terrain sensitivity multiplies because alpine and desert ecosystems recover much more slowly than forests; fire and protected status add penalty.
How to read the result
Low (<20) is a small group on a durable trail with no fire — fine almost anywhere.
Moderate (20 to 45) is the typical mid-size backpacking trip.
High (45 to 70) flags trips where you should actively look for ways to reduce impact — smaller groups, fewer nights, durable surfaces only, no fire.
Severe (>70) means your plan is probably inappropriate for the area. Consider rescheduling to a less sensitive season or place.
Limitations
- Heuristic, not a permit test. Land managers use specific, often unpublished criteria; this score is for your own planning.
- Doesn’t see your behavior. A polite, careful group with score 65 can outperform a sloppy group with score 35.
- No trash scoring. Pack it out is non-negotiable; we don’t credit it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single biggest impact I can reduce?
Group size, especially above 8 people. Even one large group split into two small groups reduces trampling, toilet impact, and noise dramatically.
Are campfires really that bad?
In many ecosystems, yes. The black scar lasts decades; the wood you burn removes habitat. A stove is almost always the right answer.
Does this score human waste?
No. Catholes are assumed to be done correctly. Improper waste is a categorical failure that no score captures.