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Trail Guide
Trail Etiquette & Safety Checklist
What to pack, how to ride safely with a group, and the unwritten (and written) rules for sharing multi-use trails with hikers, bikers, and horseback riders — without becoming the reason a trail system loses access.
Quick answer: On shared trails, motorized vehicles yield to non-motorized traffic (hikers, cyclists, horses), and descending SxS traffic typically yields to vehicles climbing a grade. Ride single-file with 100+ feet of spacing, use a lead and sweep rider on group trips, and always pack a first-aid kit, recovery gear, and a way to communicate without cell signal.
Right-of-Way Rules Every Rider Should Know
Right-of-way on a multi-use trail isn't optional courtesy — most land managers write it directly into trail rules, and violating it is how individual riders get whole trail systems shut down for everyone. These five rules cover the vast majority of situations you'll actually encounter:
Motorized yields to non-motorized
Hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders always have the right-of-way over an SxS on a shared trail, regardless of trail direction or grade.
Uphill traffic generally has the right-of-way
A machine climbing a grade has less momentum to spare and a harder restart than one descending. Pull over and let climbing traffic pass on narrow sections.
Larger groups yield to smaller ones on tight trail
It's faster and safer for a group of two to step aside than for a group of eight to renegotiate a narrow section — even if the smaller group is technically climbing.
Yield to horses from a distance, not at the last second
Horses can spook badly at engine noise appearing suddenly. Stop well before you reach a horse and rider, and follow the rider's instructions on how to proceed.
When in doubt, the more maneuverable vehicle yields
An SxS can generally reposition faster and more safely than a hiker, cyclist, or horse. If right-of-way is unclear, default to giving way.
Group Riding Etiquette
A well-run group ride is invisible to everyone else on the trail — no bottlenecks, no confusion at junctions, no stranded riders. That doesn't happen by accident; it comes from a few roles and habits every group should set before pulling out of the trailhead.
Set Roles Before You Roll
- Lead rider: the most trail-familiar person in the group, sets the pace, and calls trail hazards back to the group
- Sweep rider: an experienced rider who rides last, so nobody gets separated from the group without anyone noticing
- Tail count: agree on a headcount at every junction and stop — it takes ten seconds and catches a separated rider immediately
Spacing and Pace
- Keep at least 100 feet between machines on open trail — dust, loose rock, and sudden stops all need reaction room
- Match the group's pace to its least experienced rider, not its most confident one
- Close gaps gradually at junctions rather than gunning it to catch up — that's when most group-ride collisions happen
Communication
- Use two-way radios or a group messaging app built for off-grid use on longer rides
- Agree on a rally point and time before splitting up for different difficulty trails
- Confirm cell signal is unreliable past the trailhead and plan communication accordingly, not as an afterthought
Hand & Light Signals
Engine noise and helmets make verbal communication useless past a few feet, which is why standard trail-riding hand signals exist. Learn these before a group ride — they're worth confirming with your specific group beforehand, since not every rider learned the same set.
Sharing Multi-Use Trails
Most trail systems aren't SxS-exclusive — they're shared with hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and sometimes standard vehicle traffic on connector roads. Each group has different needs, and knowing them prevents the kind of friction that leads to trail closures.
Hikers and Trail Runners
- Slow to a crawl well before passing, and give as much lateral space as the trail allows
- A wave or a "thanks for stepping aside" goes further than most riders expect toward keeping trails open to everyone
Mountain Bikers
- Cyclists have limited ability to hear an approaching SxS over their own effort and wind noise — slow down early and announce yourself
- On singletrack sections shared with bikes, expect to yield even if you're technically climbing
Horseback Riders
- Stop your engine if the rider signals you to, and wait for them to pass or direct you around
- Move to the downhill side of the trail when possible — horses are less likely to spook at a vehicle below them than above
- Never rev the engine or use a horn near a horse, even to be friendly
Trail Etiquette Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Stay on marked and legally designated trails
- Pack out all trash, including anything that blows out of a cargo bed
- Yield the trail generously, even when you technically don't have to
- Keep noise reasonable near campsites and trailhead parking
- Report trail damage or missing signage to the land manager
Don't
- Cut switchbacks or create new lines around mud or obstacles
- Ride faster than conditions and visibility allow, even on straightaways
- Block a trail junction while the group regroups
- Assume right-of-way — confirm it, especially with non-motorized users
- Leave a disabled machine in the travel lane without hazard markers
The Complete Pre-Ride Packing Checklist
Run through this before you leave the trailhead — organized so you can check it category by category instead of trying to remember everything at once.
On Your Body
- DOT-rated helmet
- Eye protection (goggles or full-face shield)
- Gloves and over-the-ankle boots
- Weather-appropriate layers
In the Cargo Bed
- First-aid kit sized for the full group
- Tow strap or recovery rope
- Tire repair kit and portable air compressor
- Basic tool kit, spare fuses, and duct tape
- Extra fuel in an approved container
- Drinking water for the full ride time, plus a margin
For Navigation and Communication
- Offline or paper trail map
- GPS unit or phone with maps downloaded before losing signal
- Two-way radios or a satellite communicator for remote sections
- A charged phone and portable battery, even where signal is unreliable
Before You Leave the Trailhead
- Share your route and expected return time with someone not on the ride
- Confirm every rider knows the group's hand signals
- Do a quick walk-around: tires, lights, cargo straps, fluid levels
If Something Goes Wrong on the Trail
Most trail incidents are minor — a stuck machine, a flat tire, a rider who needs a break. Knowing the right order of operations keeps a small problem from becoming a bigger one.
- Move off the travel lane if the machine is drivable — a disabled vehicle blocking a blind curve is a hazard for everyone behind you.
- Account for every rider in the group before troubleshooting the mechanical issue itself.
- Assess injuries first, equipment second. A flat tire can wait; a rider who's hurt cannot.
- Use your communication plan. Radio the group, or activate a satellite communicator if you're out of cell range and the situation is serious.
- Mark the location — a GPS pin or a clear description of the last known junction — before anyone leaves to get help.
- Only attempt trailside repairs you're equipped and confident to make. A partial fix that fails again three miles down the trail is worse than waiting for a tow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right-of-way on a shared UTV trail?
Non-motorized users — hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders — always have the right-of-way over a side-by-side. Among motorized traffic, vehicles climbing a grade typically have the right-of-way over those descending.
What hand signals do off-road riders use?
Common signals include a raised fist for stop, a downward-pointed arm for a trail hazard, and raised fingers to indicate the number of oncoming riders. Groups should confirm their signal set before riding together, since conventions vary slightly by region.
How much space should you leave between SxS vehicles on a group ride?
At least 100 feet on open trail, more in dusty or low-visibility conditions. The gap gives following riders time to react to dust, sudden stops, or debris kicked up by the vehicle ahead.
What should you do if you meet a horse on the trail?
Stop well before reaching the horse and rider, turn off your engine if asked, and follow the rider's directions on how to proceed. Moving to the downhill side of the trail when possible also reduces the chance of spooking the horse.
What's the most important item to pack for trail safety?
A properly sized first-aid kit and a way to communicate without cell signal — a satellite communicator or two-way radios — matter most, since most serious trail incidents happen well outside normal phone coverage.
Ride Prepared
Gear Up Before Your Next Group Ride
Shop recovery gear, communication mounts, and trail-ready upgrades for your Can-Am before you hit the trailhead.