The scenic roads of Quebec and the wide-open spaces of Eastern Canada offer breathtaking scenery. Yet, as vanlife gains in popularity, a problem is growing: the pollution and degradation of these natural spaces. Rest areas littered with garbage, wastewater dumped carelessly, traces of campsites left behind… all too often, these behaviours harm ecosystems and future generations of travellers.
Travelling by van means embracing a way of life in the heart of nature, but how can we be sure to preserve these places?
The answer lies in one simple principle: Leave No Trace. This set of best practices allows you to enjoy the great outdoors while minimizing your impact. In this article, discover how to apply these principles to vanlife and make every road trip a more responsible adventure.
The 7 No Trace principles applied to vanlife
Planning and preparation
A well-prepared trip is a more environmentally-friendly trip. Good planning reduces unforeseen events, avoids unnecessary impact on nature and ensures that you comply with local regulations.
Best practices :
– Check park and campground regulations
– Identify authorized parking areas in advance.
– Choose itineraries with infrastructures adapted to vans.
Travelling and camping on sustainable surfaces
Settling anywhere can cause lasting damage to the environment. Off-tracking destroys vegetation, disturbs wildlife and creates new trails that take a long time to disappear.
Best practice:
– Park on sturdy surfaces such as gravel or asphalt.
– Camp in previously developed or authorized areas.
– Avoid driving off-road or over vegetation.
Managing waste correctly
One of the fundamental principles of Leave No Trace is to leave nothing behind. Everything you bring must go back with you, whether it’s food waste, packaging or even sewage.
Best practices :
– Bring garbage bags to sort and store your waste.
– Never leave food behind, even biodegradable food.
– Use pump-out stations for grey and black water.
Leave what you find
Every natural site has its own balance. Picking up stones, plants or leaving a trace of your passage alters these environments and impacts the local flora and fauna.
To remember :
– Observe without touching
– Photograph rather than collect natural souvenirs
– Respect archaeological sites and cultural elements.
Minimizing the impact of campfires
A poorly controlled campfire can leave permanent scars on the ground and be the source of fires. It’s often better to opt for more sustainable alternatives.
Responsible alternatives :
– Use portable stoves
– If a fire is allowed, use a fire pit. Above all, don’t carry your wood from one campsite to another, as this could spread undesirable organisms.
– Avoid burning waste or green wood.
Respecting wildlife
Animal watching is a unique travel experience, but it’s essential not to disturb their habitat. Human interaction can alter their behavior and endanger their survival.
Rules to follow:
– Observe animals from a distance
– Never feed them, even if they come to you.
– Keep your food and garbage tidy so as not to attract them.
Be respectful of other travellers
Travelling also means sharing space with other people. Respectful behavior helps to preserve each person’s experience and avoid conflicts.
Best practices :
– Respect the silence of natural areas
– Avoid excessive noise pollution
– Leave each area as clean as when you arrived.
Adopt Le Baroudeur’s Leave No Trace concept
Leave No Trace is not just a concept: it’s a commitment to nature and to future generations. In essence, vanlife already allows for a more minimalist mode of travel, but to go further, you need vehicles and equipment that are adapted to the situation.
Le Baroudeur is part of this approach, offering converted vans that make eco-responsible road trips easy:
- Equipped vans: Built-in kitchen to avoid campfires, storage spaces designed to reduce waste
- Advice and support: When you book with Le Baroudeur, you’ll receive recommendations for the best eco-friendly spots, in line with our values.
- Freedom and respect for nature: By choosing a vehicle designed to be autonomous, you reduce your impact by limiting the infrastructure required for your stay.
Adopting these principles will ensure that future generations will also be able to enjoy these spectacular landscapes. If you want to take your eco-responsible approach even further, check out our article on zero-waste road trips. Here you’ll find practical advice on how to reduce your environmental impact while enjoying your van adventure to the full.
Take to the road without a trace and make every road trip a lasting adventure. Book your van with Le Baroudeur and explore Quebec differently.
