Trail Etiquette and Safety Guidelines

The trail may bring a number of different users to the trail at the same time. It is important to use good trail etiquette to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all trail users.

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Trail Safety Guidelines for All Users

• Treat all trail users with respect regardless of their sport, speed or skill level.
• Stay to the right and pass on the left. Always look before changing positions on the trail. Anticipate other trail users around corners or blind spots.
• Share the trail, watch and listen for others. Anything you fit in our ear that significantly impairs your hearing may not be safe.
• Travel at a safe and controlled speed. Be especially careful when visibility is limited.
• Protect our environment and wildlife. Stay on the trail. Do not cut switchbacks or use shortcuts.
  • Leave flowers and plants for all to enjoy. Do not pull, cut or otherwise damage live trees and plants.
  • Do not approach, scare, harass or feed wildlife or livestock.
• Respect all trail closures; use only trails posted open. Obey posted signs and travel only on trails open to your conveyance.
• Respect private property and the privacy of people living along the trail.
• Follow the carry-in, carry-out policy. Carry out all litter, including your pet’s waste.
• Downhill traffic yields to uphill traffic and faster users yield to slower users.
• When crossing roads, be aware and check for traffic. Always wait if you are unsure drivers will stop.
• All users yield to horseback riders. When in doubt about who should yield, or if it doesn’t appear that other users will yield, consider that others may not be familiar with trail etiquette and yield to the other users. When in doubt, yield to others.
  • When encountering a horse, speak in a calm, pleasant tone so the horse hears a human voice. Do not hide.
  • The rider knows the horse best. Expect the rider to advise you on how to proceed based on their knowledge of their horse.
• Preserve the trail. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage. Travel over obstacles in the trail, not around them. Going around widens the trail.
   

Guidelines for Walkers, Hikers, Runners and Backpackers

Guidelines for Walkers, Hikers, Runners and Backpackers

• Be aware that trails vary in difficulty. Some trails are unsurfaced. There may be steep climbs, descents or stairways. Trail surfaces can become slippery when wet or covered by foliage or where there is loose gravel. Be especially careful on stone or wooden walkways and bridges when wet.
• Some trails are designated for multiple uses, keep an eye out for other users.
• Do not climb fences, use stiles.
• Hiking, snowshoeing, pets and bikes are not allowed on cross-country ski trails when the trails are snow-covered.
• Runners should advise other users when passing about the number of people in your group.
• If you encounter an equestrian, let the rider and horse know you are there. Even if they can see you, greeting them calmly helps make the horse aware you aren’t a threat.
  • Slow down around horses and allow them to pass, listen in case they have suggestions for moving around their horse.
  • Warn equestrians before passing and allow them to see you and move before passing. Don’t pass a horse from behind without the rider being aware and allowing you to pass. 

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Pets

Dogs are a potential fright for both people and horses. Pets must be on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet and attended to at all times. Pets are not allowed in certain areas, including buildings and other areas as posted. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. 

Guidelines for Biking

Guidelines for Biking

• Ride single file. You can ride two or more abreast if you will not block other traffic. On curving or hilly trails, ride single file.
• Keep your bike under full control and be ready and able to stop at all times. Keep at least two bike lengths between riders. Follow speed recommendations.
• Slow down and use caution when approaching another user. Use your voice to make your presence known well in advance.
• Yield right-of-way to other users.
• Pull off the road or trail to view wildlife, flowers or scenic views.
• Obey traffic signs and signals. Use hand signals to indicate right or left turns, slowing and stopping.
• Be cautious in areas with loose gravel or sand, wet leaves or other loose material. Wood surfaces can be slippery.
• If you encounter an oncoming equestrian, stop your bike and pull over to let them pass. Greet them to make the horse more aware of your presence.
  • Never pass a horse from behind. Calmly call out that you want to pass, so the rider can turn the horse around to face your bike. Then you can pass safely.
• At night, use a headlight, taillight and reflectors.  
• Always wear a helmet.

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Guidelines for Mountain Biking

Guidelines for Mountain Biking

• Ride single file. Yield right-of-way to other users. Always yield to uphill users.
• Slow down and use caution when approaching another user. Use your voice to make your presence known well in advance.
• Bike in the posted direction for single-track bike trails.
• Keep your bike under full control and be ready and able to stop at all times. Keep at least two bike lengths between riders. Follow speed recommendations.
• Pull off the road or trail to view wildlife, flowers or scenic views.
• If you encounter an oncoming equestrian, stop your bike and pull over to let them pass. Greet them to make the horse more aware of your presence.
  • Never pass a horse from behind. Calmly call out that you want to pass, so the rider can turn the horse around to face your bike. Then you can pass safely.
• Be cautious in areas with loose gravel or sand, wet leaves or other loose material.
• When riding your bike at night, please remember that you are required to have a white light on the front and a red reflective on the back of your bike.
• Wear reflective clothing for bicycling at night.
• Always wear a helmet and other safety gear as needed. 

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Guidelines for Horseback Riding

Guidelines for Horseback Riding

• Make sure your horse has the temperament and training for riding on congested trails.
• Advise other trail users of your horse’s temperament, e.g., a horse with a tendency to kick should always wear a red ribbon in the tail. Assume that not everyone will know what the ribbon means, so be prepared to explain or take the necessary precautions to avoid trouble.
• Obey posted speed/gait limits. Avoid cantering or galloping on busy trails.
• Know your horse’s limitations.
• Leave gates as you find them. Obey gate closures and regulatory signs.
• Let other trial users know when it is safe to pass your horse.
• If you want to pass, let other trail users know in advance. Come to a walk and pass on the left.
• Always pick up after your horse. Keep the trailhead clear of manure and trash. Try to keep the trail clean of manure. Individual trails may require that you pick up manure.

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Guidelines for In-Line Skating

Guidelines for In-Line Skating

• Avoid sudden stops and last-minute turns. You don’t want to surprise anyone.
• Be aware of your surroundings by glancing over your shoulder.
• Be careful around other users. Don’t swing your arms and leap wildly back and forth on your skates. 

Guidelines for Cross-Country Skiing

Guidelines for Cross-Country Skiing

• Always follow the proper direction on one-way trails. Allow ample space between you and the other skiers.
• Yield the trail to skiers that overtake you from behind.
• If you want to pass, let other trail users know in advance.
• When stopped, step to the side, out of tracks.
• If you fall, move off the track as quickly as possible.
• Exercise caution at intersections with other types of trails, such as walking and snowmobiling trails.
• Know the trail difficulty symbols and ski within your ability.
• Do not walk on the track without skis and repair all “sitzmarks” by pulling snow into the depression.
• It’s recommended to ski with another person for safety. If you must ski alone, advise someone of your route and estimated time of return.
• Please report any safety hazards on the trail to park staff.
• Skate skiers should stay off classic tracks.
• Don’t ski on closed trails or foot-only trails.

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Guidelines for Snowmobiles

Guidelines for Snowmobiles

• Operators should obey posted signs and stay on the trail. Do not travel on trails posted closed.
• Snowmobiles must be registered and display a Wisconsin Snow­mobile Trail Pass. Passes may be purchased online.
• Do not exceed 10 mph when traveling within 100 feet of a non-motorized user or 150 feet of a dwelling. Always operate the snowmobile at a slow enough speed you have time to react to any situation.
• Yield right-of-way to other types of trail users.
• Slow down when being passed.
• Do not operate vehicle in a careless way that may endanger people or property.
• Be aware of intersections with other kinds of trails and exercise caution.
• Ride quietly when around houses, campgrounds and other non-riders. Keep the rpm and speed low and steady.
• Unless otherwise instructed, when approaching an oncoming horseback rider, stop your vehicle. Shut off your engine. Take off your helmet and calmly say hello. Avoid any sudden movements. Let the horse pass.
• When passing a horseback rider, alert the rider to your presence by calmy calling out you wish to pass. The horseback rider should pull the horse over. If the rider has the horse under control, proceed on. If not, allow the rider to move the horse to a safe spot on the trail and then proceed. Avoid using a vehicle horn.
• The opening and closing of snowmobile trails are at the discretion of each county. Snowmobile trails that cross DNR lands are opened and closed consistent with the surrounding county (or counties). Whenever possible, the opening and closing of snowmobile trails are done on a county-wide basis, however, localized conditions may require localized trail opening and closing.

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Guidelines for ATVs, Off-Highway Motorcycles and 4WD Operators

Guidelines for ATVs, Off-Highway Motorcycles and 4WD Operators

• Ride quietly when around houses, campgrounds and other non-riders. Keep the rpm and speed low and steady. ATVs and motorcycles must have U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestors.
• Do not exceed 10 mph when traveling within 100 feet of a non-motorized user or 150 feet of a dwelling.
• Slow down when being passed.
• Do not operate vehicle in a careless way that may endanger people or property.
• Unless otherwise instructed, when approaching an oncoming horseback rider, stop your vehicle. Shut off your engine. Take off your helmet and calmly say hello. Avoid any sudden movements. Let the horse pass.
• When passing a horseback rider, alert the rider to your presence by calmy calling out you wish to pass. The horseback rider should pull the horse over. If the rider has the horse under control, proceed on. If not, allow the rider to move the horse to a safe spot on the trail and then proceed. Avoid using a vehicle horn.
• Avoid riding after heavy rains.
• Don’t spin your wheels. This leads to rutting and unmanaged mud holes on the trail.
• Park your vehicle and walk to open sensitive, historic, scenic and cultural areas.
• Stay on the trail and stay away from areas posted closed. They may be sensitive, historic or cultural areas such as burial sites.
• Slow down for fellow trail users when you encounter them on a narrow trail.

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