Bigfoot's Friend

Spending a day on the trails should be a peaceful and enjoyable experience for everyone. But nothing ruins the mood faster than encountering someone being rude or inconsiderate.

The good news? A little courtesy goes a long way.

By adhering to a few simple hiking etiquette rules, we can all help create a more enjoyable outdoor experience for everyone.

These easy guidelines guarantee that you, your fellow hikers, and nature lovers alike can fully appreciate the beauty of our public lands—without unnecessary disruptions.

Let’s make sure the trails are a place that everyone can enjoy!

1. Treat Others How You Would Want To Be Treated.

Starting off with what has been the most important rule since the very beginning: treat others how you would want to be treated.

Be patient and kind with others. Everyone is there for a different reason and we all have the right to be there.

Remember to treat the forests and parks as the public land that they are and that respectfully co-existing with the people and wildlife in the area is essential!

A side note for the more my more social friends: I’ve found that if you have the time, offering to take pictures for couples, groups, or solo adventurers when you see them stuck in the selfie-struggle can make a strangers whole day sometimes. Plus, what goes around comes around, and you never know when you’ll need an impromptu photographer, too!

2. Yield Responsibly.

Hikers, bikers, and all others yield to pack stock. Pack stock include animals like horses, mules, goats, and even llamas!

Yield to hikers who are ascending. Many trails are fairly narrow and passing hikers going the opposite direction requires cooperation from both parties.

Trail etiquette says that descending climbers should yield to those who are traveling up the trail.

Some parks and forests have slight differences in their guidelines – pay attention to any trail signs for extra guidance.

3. Keep It Moving.

Don’t cause traffic jams – If an individual or a group of hikers are coming up behind you quickly on the trail, step aside for a moment and let them pass so that everyone can continue enjoying the trail at their own pace.

On the other side of the coin, don’t crowd slower hikers. Keep a respectable distance while you allow them to find a safe place to step off of the trail instead of encroaching on their personal space.

4. Make Yourself Known.

Making consistent noise like talking with your hiking buddies, humming, or playing low volume music are all great ways to let other hikers and the wildlife know that you are there.

Try not to sneak up from behind on other hikers. Make some noise, talk, cough, or make yourself otherwise so that you don’t accidentally scare anybody.

Walking up behind a bear or a moose can be dangerous as well if they are startled or surprised.

5. Pack It In – Pack It Out.

I probably sound like a broken record when it comes to keeping trash out of our public forests and parks – but once again, please pack out anything that you bring in with you!

You can make a huge difference in the health and wealth of our national, state, and otherwise public lands by doing something as simple as not dropping your garbage.

Thank you for being a responsible steward of the land and properly disposing of your trash!

Be The Change You Want To See In The World.

Adapting to hiking etiquette isn’t just about following rules— it’s about embracing a sense of community and collective appreciation for the great outdoors.

By working together to be mindful of others, respect nature, and follow simple trail etiquette, we can all contribute to a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

Let’s keep our outdoor spaces welcoming, peaceful, and beautiful for generations to come!

Do you want to get involved helping with public lands? Check out What You Can Do Right Now To Protect National Parks & Forests for more info!

Thanks for reading, happy hiking!

-Jessica C.