How to Minimize your Impact on the Trail

Minimize Your Impact on the Trail

Our beautiful planet has so much to offer. There is nothing more fulfilling than hitting the trail to enjoy the beauties around us. But how do we protect those riding areas we love so much?

We each have the responsibility to help maintain and protect the trails, dunes and other areas that we ride. Let’s keep the great outdoors beautiful, healthy and accessible. If we each do our part, our trails will remain beautiful and enjoyable for years to come.

To keep our riding areas in good shape, and to minimize your impact on the trail, here are some suggestions from treadlightly.org:

• Ride only on “designated” trails. Travel only in areas open to all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use.
• Stay in the middle of the trail to avoid widening it. Drive over, not around obstacles, again to avoid widening the trail.
• Avoid sensitive areas such as streams, living desert soils, tundra, wetlands and seasonal nesting or breeding areas.
• Minimize wheel spin.
• Avoid maneuvers which cause erosion, especially when driving on muddy roads.
• Try to avoid gouging the trail. Avoid roosting around the apex of the turn when climbing or brake-sliding during descent.
• Pack out what you pack in.
• Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out.
• Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others.
• If you see reparable trail damage, stop and take a few minutes to fix it.
• Be courteous to others on the road or trail. Respect the right of hikers, campers and others to enjoy their activities.
• Keep speeds low around crowds and in camping areas.
• Keep the noise and dust down.

For additional tips visit treadlightly.org. They have several great suggestions on how to drive responsibly. These will help us to protect the environment and preserve opportunities to enjoy wild lands. Leave it better than you found it. Get out there and enjoy your rides and allow for future use of the outdoors at the same time.

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