OFF-ROAD ETIQUETTE

Off-Road Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules of the Trail

1. Know Before You Go

• Check trail conditions, closures, and weather forecasts.
• Make sure your vehicle is trail-ready—recovery gear, spare tire, fluids, and tools.
• Let someone know your route and expected return time.
• Use apps such as OnX to research your trail
• Use apps such as OnX to create a track while you are off-roading so you don’t get lost

2.  Respect posted signs and boundaries.

• Stay on designated trails. Cutting switchbacks or blazing new paths causes erosion and damages ecosystems.

3. Yield with Grace

• Uphill traffic has the right of way—it's harder to restart on a slope.
• On narrow trails, the more maneuverable vehicle should yield.
• Motorized vehicles yield to hikers, bikers, and horses. Always slow down and pass respectfully.

4. Scout the Trail Ahead and Use a Spotter

• If you are not sure what is ahead around that corner or up that hill, or you reach a questionable obstacle, it’s okay to get out and scout the trail ahead.
• When you need to get around, over, or through an obstacle, washout, narrow road or steep incline/decline, use a spotter. 

5. Communicate Clearly

• Spotters should be visible and use clear gestures.
• CB or GMRS radios help coordinate with your group and alert others to your presence.
• When riding in groups, use hand signals to communicate to others on the road. This helps prevent collisions on difficult trails and lets others know when the trail is clear. Each rider in a group signals to oncoming traffic how many more riders are behind them.

                   How it works:

• First rider holds up fingers to indicate the number of riders behind them:  
• Each rider counts down until the last rider. 
• The last rider signals with a closed fist – no more riders coming. 

5. Leave No Trace 

Pack it in, pack it out.

• Trash, broken gear, food wrappers—take it all with you.
• If you see litter, pick it up. Be the kind of off-roader who leaves places better than they found them.

6. Recovery with Respect

Help when it’s safe and welcome.

• If  someone’s stuck, offer assistance—but don’t take over unless asked.
• Use proper recovery techniques. No yanking with tow balls or sketchy straps.

7. Don’t shame mistakes.

• Everyone gets stuck eventually. Offer encouragement, not judgment.