Have you ever noticed piles of rocks stacked up when you’ve been hiking or spending some time out in nature?

Well, if you haven’t, we’re here to tell you that it’s going on out there and folks are split on if this is something harmful to the environment or no big deal at all.

A TikTokker named Stephen who calls himself a “Nature Junkie” posted a video and showed viewers why he always destroys rock piles that he counters.

He said, “As individuals, our pressure on the ecology might seem negligible, but over time, it adds up.”

@b0tanica

Rock stacking isn’t always great. #toadtok #toads #rockstacking #learnontiktok #endangeredspecies

♬ Plaid – Harris Heller

But a woman named Claire has different feelings on the matter.

She posted a video with a decidedly “pro” rock stacking point of view.

@termitonic

i love rocks! #rockstacking #leavenotrace #rocks #petoskey #yolo

♬ original sound – 𝕸𝖎𝖘𝖆𝖊𝖑 🇵🇷

Another nature enthusiast proved she’s no fan of these actions and she kicked over a stack of rocks in her video.

In the text overlay, she wrote, “Moving/stacking rocks can irreversibly alter and destroy habitat.”

@nativeplants4life

#leavenotrace #hike #hiker #hiketok #hikertok #hikers #hikersoftiktok #hikergirl #hikingadventures #hiking #hikingtiktok #hikingfinds #nativeplant #nativeplants #ecology #eco #wildlife #conservation #habitat #ecosystem #environment #nature #plants #habitat #plant #environment #ecoactivist #environmentalactivist #rock #rocktok #rocks #rockstack

♬ WORST NIGHTM4RE by Asteria – asteria

Finally, another TikTokker seemed to be caught in the middle of this issue.

He said, “I’ve interviewed experts on both sides of that coin and, for me, I’m neutral.”

In the video’s caption, he wrote, “You’ve seen them on the trail, carefully stacked rocks balanced by creeks or cliff sides. Some people build them for fun. Others say they’re part of a long-standing tradition. But in recent years, rock cairns have stirred up real controversy.”

He continued, “Parks and Leave No Trace groups say these stacks disturb fragile ecosystems, displace wildlife, and mislead hikers off-trail. Some folks think they’re peaceful and beautiful. Others see them as outdoor litter. So here’s the question: Are cairns just harmless trail art, or a disrespectful disruption to nature? Drop your thoughts below.”

@nambeta004

You’ve seen them on the trail, carefully stacked rocks balanced by creeks or cliff sides. Some people build them for fun. Others say they’re part of a long-standing tradition. But in recent years, rock cairns have stirred up real controversy. Parks and Leave No Trace groups say these stacks disturb fragile ecosystems, displace wildlife, and mislead hikers off-trail. Some folks think they’re peaceful and beautiful. Others see them as outdoor litter. So here’s the question: Are cairns just harmless trail art, or a disrespectful disruption to nature? Drop your thoughts below. 👇 #RockCairns #LeaveNoTrace #NatureReliance #TrailTalk #OutdoorEthics #BushcraftMindset #WildernessRespect #NatureDebate #EcoAwareness #HikingCulture

♬ original sound – ARMSHARK – ARMSHARK

And here’s what viewers had to say about this.

This person chimed in.

Another viewer didn’t hold back.

And this individual shared their thoughts.

I don’t think this is getting solved anytime soon.

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