Trail Etiquette

The Sun Valley Region is fortunate for its many mixed use trails. Using proper trail etiquette ensures an enjoyable experience for all.  Please abide by the following rules while out on the trails.

Share the Trail

  • Please be respectful of other users, regardless of their mode, speed or skill level.
  • Bikers yield to hikers, runners and horses.  Yield with one foot on the ground, parallel to the trail.
  • Hikers, runners, and bikers use special care when passing horses and follow directions from the horseback riders. Give animals enough time and room to adjust to you.
  • All users, stay on the trail when yielding.  Stepping off the trail leads to erosion, trail widening and braiding.
  • Consider other options when the trail is wet and muddy.  Don’t cut switchbacks; stay on existing trails and don’t create new ones.

Summer Trail Etiquette

Quigley Trail Park features a pump track, jump lines, flow lines, and a skills area.

Wood River Trail Etiquette

Please be respectful of other users, regardless of their mode, speed or skill level.

Trail Rules

Wood River Trail Etiquette

  • Please be respectful of other users, regardless of their mode, speed or skill level.
  • Don't block the trail, keep right, except to pass.
  • Slower traffic has the right-of-way.
  • Bikers - yield to vehicular traffic when crossing trails and roads, anticipate vehicles on curves and intersections, yield to pedestrians and equestrians.
  • Don't spook the horses! Slow down and speak to them when passing.
  • Give advance notice before passing, use voice or bell.
  • Helmets save lives! Please wear one.
  • Control your dog, keep them in voice control or on a leash and clean up after them. There are poop bags in various places along the WRT
  • Trash - pack it in, pack it out! Keep the trails clean. There are trash cans in various places along the WRT.
  • Control your speed, know your limit - ride within it!

Mountain Biker Etiquette

Yield to hikers, runners & horses. Yield with one foot on the ground and two wheels on the trail please don’t ride parallel to the trail.

Trail Rules

Mountain Bikers Etiquette

  • Yield to hikers, runners & horses. Yield with one foot on the ground and two wheels on the trail please don’t ride parallel to the trail.
  • Downhill bikers yield to uphill traffic.
  • When encountering another user from behind, slow down, announce your presence and ask to pass. If you encounter sheep or cattle on a road or trail, make them aware of your presence, dismount if appropriate, and move slowly by without startling them.
  • Control your speed. Ride, don't slide. Don't skid.
  • Don't cut corners or curves. Stay on the trail.
  • Group Ride Etiquette - ride in groups no larger than 10 or 12. If you have a large number of riders, please consider splitting your group and either leaving at different times or riding different trails.
  • If you use ear phones, please turn the volume low enough so that you can hear other trail users.
  • Leave no trace. Consider other options when the trail is wet and muddy. Respect trail and road closures.

Hiker / Runner / Walker Etiquette

Please be respectful of other users, regardless of their mode, speed or skill level.

Trail Rules

Hikers / Walkers / Runners Etiquette

  • Yield to uphill hikers and runners.
  • On a multi-use path, keep right except to pass. Do not walk across all lanes of travel.
  • Don't spook the horses! Slow down and speak to them when passing.
  • Control your dog, keep them in voice control or on a leash and clean up after them. 
  • Trash - pack it in, pack it out! Keep the trails clean.

Equestrian Etiquette

Make sure your horse has the temperament and training for riding on congested public trails. Busy multi-use trails are not the proper place for schooling green horses.

Trail Rules

Equestrian Etiquette

  • Make sure your horse has the temperament and training for riding on congested public trails. Busy multi-use trails are not the proper place for schooling green horses.
  • Advise other trail users of your horse's temperament, e.g. a horse with a tendency to kick should always wear a red ribbon on the tail or a stallion should wear a yellow ribbon. Assume that not everyone will know what these ribbons mean, so be prepared to explain or take the necessary precautions to avoid trouble.
  • Obey posted speed/gait limits and use common sense in crowded areas. Cantering/galloping on crowded trails endangers everyone.
  • Move to the right to allow faster trail users to pass.
  • Announce your intentions to pass other trail users and reduce speed in order to pass safely. Pass on the left only.
  • Remove your horse from the trail if you begin experiencing behavior problems.
  • Stay on equestrian approved trails.
  • As a courtesy to others in your group, use appropriate hand signals for turning, slowing, etc., and give verbal warning for dangers on the trail (e.g. holes, low branches).
  • Remember that other trail users may not be familiar with horses or their reactions. You are an ambassador for the entire equestrian community.
  • Do not clean out your trailer in the parking area.
  • On multiple use trails, step off the trail (if possible) if your horse needs to relieve himself or remove the droppings from the trail.
  • Leave no trace. Consider other options when the trail is wet and muddy. Respect trail and road closures.

Cattle and Sheep Grazing

  • Check out the video below from the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission and their Care/Share program that talks about how to find information about grazing operations and how to interact with sheep and cattle in the field.
  • You can find current grazing locations at our Summer Trailink.

Get Involved

Your valued support brings quality, affordable, accessible recreation to our community. Whether at Galena Lodge, out on our summer and winter trails, at the Aquatic Center, in our youth and adult sports and activities, or at FitWorks fitness center, these critical recreational programs and facilities exist because of the generosity of our supporters.

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