When possible, large groups of more than 6 people should be split into smaller groups of 3-4 people to minimize impact on the trail and surrounding terrain. Groups containing 3-4 members will not have a difficult time splitting up the common equipment, as each person will most likely have one or two pieces of the groups' shared equipment. These smaller groups should be at least 20 feet away from if not out of eye/ear shot of the preceding and following group. However, these individual groups should not be too far apart for safety reasons; if one group is too far ahead or behind of others, they may not be able to adequately handle a emergency situation for which the other groups have equipment or expertise. Large groups of people contribute to the destruction of the trails and wilderness we are trying to enjoy through our camping/hiking trip. These large groups of people make a proportionally large amount of noise, which often scares wildlife away, whereas a smaller group of people make correspondingly less noise, with a reduced chance of scaring wildlife. Thus, the smaller the group, the more enjoyment is had by all participants.

Please see also Hiking Techniques for specific information on group hiking techniques. Click on one of the stick figures below to go to the Hiking Techniques section.