Trails
Trails, hiking, and biking
How to check the trail manager, pets, bikes, e-bikes, permits, closures, weather, water, and road access.
A trail can be a state park path, city open-space trail, national forest road, national park route, BLM singletrack, or private easement.
That means the rule starts with the manager. Dogs, bikes, e-bikes, camping, parking, water, permits, and closures can change from one trailhead to the next.
Simple rule: do not trust the app by itself. Check the official trail page, then check the day-of stuff: heat, smoke, snow, water, daylight, and the road to the trailhead.
First moves
- 1
Find the official trail, park, forest, city, or land-manager page.
- 2
Check whether dogs, bikes, e-bikes, camping, permits, or parking reservations are allowed.
- 3
Check closures, alerts, and road access before you leave.
- 4
Check weather, heat, snow, smoke, water, and daylight for the exact trailhead.
Watch for
- 1
National parks often have stricter pet and bike rules than nearby forests.
- 2
E-bike rules vary by unit and trail. Look for the local order or posted sign.
- 3
Seasonal closures can protect wildlife, habitat, roads, and burned areas.
- 4
Heat and water planning matter in the desert, foothills, inland valleys, and exposed ridges.
Go deeper
Camping and public lands
How to check the manager, reservation, fire, food, pet, water, road, and closure rules before you camp.
Outdoor weather and hazard checks
A last-check guide for weather, smoke, fire, heat, surf, rivers, snow, roads, earthquakes, and the live sources to trust before you leave.