Trail Etiquette Guide - The Unwritten Rules of Outdoor Conduct
Fellow hikers and avid National Park goers will agree with me that there are “unwritten” rules of the trails. I put “unwritten” in quotes, cause a lot of times, they are “written” - or at least openly talked about and communicated. These “rules” aren’t a sort of gate-keeping or telling people how they should enjoy the outdoors (necessarily), but more-so etiquette deemed by the majority of the outdoor community on how to conduct yourself while out on the trails so that you respect the environment and the people around you.
In all my years of spending time in the outdoors, I’ve felt that 98% of the people I run into abide by these “rules.” Of course there are a few people here and there that don’t, but by far, people are pretty good about it. However, this past week I went to a state park in a different state and was astonished by the lack of respect shown by the people on the trails. So much so that I felt compelled to get on my tiny little soapbox and share some of the Trail Etiquette that I’ve learned throughout the years.
Maybe I’m preaching to the choir, or maybe you’re new to the outdoors and you’ve been looking for these unwritten rules to be etched somewhere, or maybe you’re reading this and thinking ‘this is the most pretentious thing I’ve ever heard’ - which, I really hope not. Whatever your thoughts, here you go - learn, judge, or agree away.
TRAIL ETIQUETTE guide
“RULE” 1": you don’t need to yell
A lot of people go to the outdoors to escape the hustle and bustle of life. We want some peace and quiet, some solace, and an all around change of pace. I promise you, the last thing they want to hear is you, your kids, or a mixture of the two screaming at each other. Keep your voices at a respectable level, and please, don’t scream unless you’re in danger.
“RULE” 2: KEEP YOUR MUSIC AT THE CAMPSITE
This is pretty similar to Rule 1. When we go out in nature, we want to hear nature. We want to hear the wind in the pine needles above our heads, the sound the creek makes when it bubbles over a mossy branch, the crunch of gravel beneath our feet. We don’t want to hear DJ Khaled’s new song, or that TikTok that you just think is SO hilarious.
Please, leave the portable speaker at the campsite.
“RULE” 3: Pack it in, Pack it out
You bring it with you on the trail, you bring it back out with you too. Yes, that includes the banana peels and orange rinds.
bonus points: Bring a plastic bag with you and pick up trash you see left behind as you make your way through the trail.
“RULE” 4: DON’T DEFACE NATURE!
We know. You’re with bae. You cuddled up in a tent under the stars last night. It was so cute. You’ve never felt more connected. You’re in loooooove and you want everyone in the world to know that you and Derek are 4EVER. You know the best way to do that? Put it on your Instagram. Your Facebook. Your TikTok. Post a picture and add ALL the hashtags.
You know the worst way to do this? To carve it into a tree or rock or bridge or log on your hike. First, super tacky. Second, we don’t want to see it. I would bet that 99% of people don’t see that shit and go “awe, how cute” it ruins the whole natural aesthetic. and Third, and most importantly, it’s not great for the natural world.
Leave no trace babes.
“RULE” 5: SINGLE FILE, PLEASE
If you’re in a group and you’re passing another group - compress your people into a single-file line. It’s fine to take up space on the trail when you guys are the only ones around, but come on… it’s kinda shitty of you to make them go into single-file while you and your friends and walking three-across. Just like on a sidewalk, common courtesy is to make space for people to pass without running anyone off the trail.
“RULE” 6: PASS ON THE LEFT
This is a highly debated topic, but I’m here to stand my ground. Pass on the left - just like you’re driving a car. You’re going slow and steady? Stay towards the right. You’re ready to pass? Head to the left.
Not only does this follow the already pre-established societal rules of transportation, but it also helps protect the environment. By passing on the left, you’re going towards the middle of the trail, which makes it far less likely for someone to trample to cute trilliums on the side of the trail as they’re trying to scootch on through.
“RULE” 7: wait for people going up
Look, it’s way harder going up than it is going down. If you’re headed downhill and you come across a party that is mid-ascent and the trail isn’t wide enough for you both to pass, you better pull on over and let them pass. What do they say? An object in motion stays in motion? Don’t cramp the momentum of the ascent!
“RULE” 8: stay on the trail!
Speaking of such, stay on the dang trail! It only takes 9 people walking off trail to damage nature to the point of degradation. Yikes!
“RULE” 9: smoke before you hit the trail
One of the great things about being out in nature is that crisp, fresh air. I was recently walking down a trail, thinking about how different the air was compared to the Chicago air I typically breathe in every day. I had literally just thought “wow, this air is so clean” when a guy in the group in front of me lit up a cigarette. Right in the middle of the trail, mid-stride, 15 feet in front of me. You can guess what my next deep inhale was… a giant waft of second-hand Marlboro. yum… exactly what I came into the woods to smell.
Don’t do this. You gotta smoke? Do it at the Trailhead. If we wanted to smell cigarette smoke we would hang out in an old bowling alley, not the woods.
“RULE” 10: dogs
Look, we all love dogs. We love small dogs, big dogs, loud dogs, quiet dogs, anxious dogs, charismatic dogs - we love all dogs. BUT, please for the love of god, be a responsible dog owner. If you have a reactive dog, maybe don’t bring them on a busy trail. If you have a dog that barks at everything, maybe don’t bring them into a cave (yes, this literally happened to us last week). If you have a dog that is scared of heights, you guessed it, maybe don’t bring them on a trail with cliffs or exposed areas.
And while we’re on the topic of dogs - always keep that dog on a leash! Just because your dog is friendly doesn’t mean that everyone (or another dog) is cool with a strange dog running up to them on the trail.
Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments below!