Tips for Minimizing your Impact on the Trail

Help us Keep our Trails in Good Shape

Summer is winding down, but there is still time to get out there and get some great rides in. There is nothing quite like going out for a great ride. As we all know, we have a responsibility to help protect and preserve these amazing trails, dunes and riding areas. Help us keep our trails in good shape by doing your part. Here are some great reminders to help us minimize the impact we have on the areas we love to ride in.

To do our part to ensure that these lands remain available to enjoy try some or all of the suggestions below.

• Stay on established trails and don’t go cross-country. Cross-country travel can increase soil erosion, ignite wildfire and damage wildlife habitat.
• When trail riding, drive over obstacles instead of going around them. This helps to avoid widening the trail.
• Respect closed areas and private property.
• Avoid areas that are sensitive to travel, such as wetlands, meadows, lakeshores and streams.
• Don’t cut switchbacks. Taking shortcuts damages trails and causes erosion.
• Share the trails and make friends with other trail users.
• Stop or slow down and lower the noise and dust levels when approaching equestrians, hikers and others.
• Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others.
• Pack out what you pack in.
• Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites or camping 200 feet from water resources and trails.
• Obey all speed limits. Reduce speed near campgrounds, campsites and people.

If we all do our part to take care of trails and riding areas we will be able to enjoy them for years to come. Let’s keep the great outdoors beautiful, healthy, and accessible. For more information on how to help Tread Lightly has some fabulous material. Visit their site for info on all types of recreational use at treadlightly.org.

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