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Trail direction and wayfinding signs

Signs with directions, arrows, distances, and information to help trail users find their way. Some trails are so highly developed and continuous there is no chance of a visitor losing the path. Rail trails and paved bikeways would seem to be obvious examples. But even wide, well-used trails are disrupted by roads, intersections, missing bridges, and other obstacles. Signs showing the trail user where to go to pick up the route again are essential parts of trail development. Direction signs also help hikers and riders find destinations along the trail. Finally, where routes diverge signs will enable users to follow the correct path, or to discover new ones. The following examples are from a wide variety of trails across the United States.

Also see the photo galleries of maps at trailheads. and trailhead signs

Click on any photo to see it full size:

(Commentary and photos by Stuart Macdonald, December 2009)

Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, WA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, September 16, 2008

Routed and painted wood sign, Arches National Monument, Moab, UT; photo by Stuart Macdonald, April 2, 2007

Sign helps users find trail beyond point of interest, Arches National Monument, Moab, UT; photo by Stuart Macdonald, April 2, 2007

Standard trail identification and numbering markers applied to fiberglass post, Phoenix Mountain Parks, AZ; photo by Stuart Macdonald, January 17, 2007

Superior Hiking Trail, Duluth, MN; photo by Stuart Macdonald, September 7, 2007

Sign for Waller Creek Trail built out of Limestone with glazed ceramic sign, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald, May 8, 2007

Rock Creek Trail at intersection with Georgetown Branch Trail, Bethesda, Maryland; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June 16, 2007

Sign where spur trail takes off from Superior Hiking Trail, Duluth, MN; photo by Stuart Macdonald, September 7, 2007

Elaborate trail sign with map and directions to points of interest, Willamette River Greenway, Portland, OR; photo by Stuart Macdonald, August 2008.

Direction signs where trail is routed under road, Little Tennessee Greenway National Recreation Trail, Franklin, TN; photo by Stuart Macdonald, March 21, 2009

Sign directs trail users at street intersection, Little Tennessee Greenway National Recreation Trail, Franklin, TN; photo by Stuart Macdonald, March 21, 2009

Sign direction trail users down dead-end street to continuation of trail, La Conner, WA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, September 25, 2006

Sign directs trail users through park, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, October 14, 2009

Intersection sign directs users to continuation of Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, October 14, 2009

Sign on Highline Canal directs users along street to nearby Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, November 6, 2009

Arrow directs trail users to main bikeway; other route leads to parking lot, Aurora Reservoir, Aurora, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, October 24, 2009

Sign on Cherry Creek Trail where route diverges to access park trail, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, November 6, 2009

Sign directing users to either Cherry Creek Trail or trail to Hampden Heights Park, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, November 6, 2009

Typical sign identifying route and informing users of destinations on trail, Osaugie Trail, Superior, WI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, September 8, 2007