Link to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Guidance
Equestrian and other nonmotorized recreational use may be allowed on shared use paths and trails that use Federal-aid transportation funds.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) receives occasional inquiries about equestrian and other nonmotorized use of facilities funded with Federal-aid highway program funds under Section 217 of title 23, United States Code, especially for projects using Transportation Enhancement funds.
Equestrian and other nonmotorized recreational use may be allowed on shared use paths and trails that use Federal-aid transportation funds. Federal transportation laws and regulations do not prohibit equestrians, in-line skaters, skateboarders, cross country skiers, snowshoe users, or other nonmotorized users on shared use paths or trails. States or local managers may choose to prohibit these uses; but it is a State or local determination, and not a Federal requirement. Various design options may allow equestrian use, such as providing both a paved path and an unpaved path within the same right-of-way.
Published February 2011
TRAILS SAFE PASSING PLAN: STOP, SPEAK, and STAND BACK
posted Feb 14, 2023
Horses are prey animals and naturally can be afraid of unfamiliar people and objects. Horses have natural "flight“ survival instincts and prefer to move their feet towards an exit route. Therefore, people with horses should pass at a walk while other trail users remain STOPPED until passed.
ORV – Social & Management Issues
posted Jul 15, 2022
Off-road vehicles can have a substantial impact on the experience of other non-motorized visitors on trails that are shared or even on adjacent forest or park settings.
Informal and Formal Trail Monitoring Protocols and Baseline Conditions
posted Jul 15, 2022
This research developed and applied state-of-the-art trail condition assessment and monitoring procedures and applied them to the park’s formal and informal (visitor-created) trails.
posted Jul 15, 2022
This research investigates horse trail impacts to gain an improved understanding of the relationship between various levels of horse use, horse trail management alternatives, and subsequent horse trail degradation.
