Using Courteous Trail Etiquette
- Ride only where permitted.
- Be considerate of others on the trail, and keep to the right.
- Always yield to uphill traffic. Such riders may have trouble starting after stopping.
- Announce your intention before passing.
- Slow down when someone is passing you.
- If you meet bikers, horses, and hikers coming from the opposite direction, slow down, pull over, and yield the right-of-way.
- If you stop to talk to other trail users, be courteous and remove your helmet. A helmet masks your features and can be intimidating.
- Be safe and considerate when you stop along the trail. Never stop side-by-side, in the middle of the trail, at the crest of a hill, or around a corner on the trail. Also never block an intersection. Remember to shut off your engine.
- Leave gates as you find them.
- Report downed trees and trail maintenance needs to land managers.
- Report illegal riding.
- Carry out what you carry in.
Encountering Horses on the Trail
- Slow down and pull over. Turn off the
engine and remove your helmet to avoid
startling the horse.
- Avoid sudden movements.
- Wait until the horses have passed, and then ease back onto the trail.
Avoid Riding Below the OHWM
- The Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) is a stain on rocks and trees along the shoreline of a waterway, defining where the highest water level usually is.
- Areas below the OHWM, such as exposed shorelines and lake beds, are very important to ecosystems.
- Because vehicles can easily damage these vulnerable areas, you should never operate below the OHWM.
Reduce the Spread of Noxious Weeds
Weed seeds lodge in tires and caked-on mud. To prevent the spread of weeds, wash your OHV after every ride.
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