Park City has some of the most spectacular trails for biking, hiking, and wandering. Visitors and locals take to the trails in every season. To keep the trails beautiful and enjoyable for everyone, users follow certain tips, tricks, and etiquette to ensure a memorable experience.
Trail Traffic & Right of Way—Who Goes First?
To keep trails safe and enjoyable for everyone, it’s important to follow these basic right-of-way rules:
- Bikers yield to hikers, runners, and horses—always, even when riding uphill
- Hikers and runners yield to horses—step off calmly and give them space
- Uphill travelers have the right of way—they’re working harder and have a tougher time stopping
That said, trail etiquette is also about common sense and courtesy. If you’re in a better spot to step aside, or if you’re alone and a larger group is approaching, it’s okay to yield even if you technically have the right of way. Clear communication and a friendly attitude go a long way.
Trails and Dogs
Leash laws exist in Summit County. Per PARK CITY MUNICIPAL CODE – TITLE 7 ANIMAL CONTROL, the law states, “Dogs may only be allowed off leash in areas formally designated as off leash areas. Dogs must remain on leash within one hundred fifty feet (150‟) of an off-leash public trailhead.” This applies to both traditional and electronic leashes. While Fido might be the friendliest, goofiest pup in town, leashes are still required at all trailheads, which can often be chaotic and overwhelming, especially for reactive dogs. Some trails do allow off-leash access once you’re beyond the trailhead, but these areas demand constant awareness and control of your dog at all times.
Yielding to dogs and small children on the trail is a helpful and courteous suggestion, though it’s not a requirement. Doing so helps keep everyone safe and ensures a more enjoyable outing. Dogs can sometimes be unpredictable, and young kids may be distracted by the excitement of nature—like chasing a butterfly or exploring something new. While parents and pet owners do their best to guide them aside, it’s considerate to slow down or pause when needed to give them space.
Last but not least, PC loves dogs! But no one loves dog poop or little bags left on the trail. Remember to clean up after your dog and dispose of waste in a trash can.
Pack it in / Pack It Out
Keep your belongings with you, clean up after yourself and your pet, and leave nature where you found it for others to enjoy. In addition to that principle, a rule of three is a good goal. Leave the trail better than you found it by doing a couple of simple things like: pack out all your trash (and any extra you see), and clear small obstacles like loose rocks or fallen branches.
Stay on the Trail
Straying from marked trails may seem harmless, but it can cause significant harm to the environment. Creating your own paths tramples vegetation, disturbs wildlife, contributes to erosion, and damages fragile ecosystems. In addition, wandering off-trail can lead to trespassing on private or protected lands, which may be illegal. It also increases your risk of getting lost or injured, making it harder for rescuers to find you. By staying on designated trails, you help preserve nature and ensure everyone’s safety.
Respect Wildlife
Park City’s trails wind through rich wildlife habitats—this is their home, and we are visitors. Deer, moose, foxes, coyotes, and even mountain lions or bears may be spotted on the trails. Observing wildlife from a distance is a privilege, but it comes with responsibility. Never approach, follow, or try to feed wild animals. Doing so can stress or harm the animal, alter their natural behavior, or make them dangerously accustomed to humans. Feeding wildlife is not only harmful—it’s illegal.
If you’re hiking with a dog, keep them leashed and under control at all times. Unleashed pets can provoke defensive behavior in wildlife and put both the animal and your pet at risk. If you encounter wildlife, stay calm, back away slowly, and give the animal plenty of space. In some cases, the best choice is to reroute or turn around entirely to avoid a confrontation. Respecting wildlife protects your safety, preserves natural behaviors, and helps ensure that others can enjoy these wild places in the future.
E-Bikes
E-bikes are gaining popularity as a convenient and eco-friendly way to enjoy the outdoors, but it’s essential to understand and follow local regulations. In Park City, e-bike use is managed to help protect natural trails and ensure safety for all users. Class 1 e-bikes (pedal-assist only, no throttle, max 20 mph) are typically allowed on paved multi-use paths and select wide dirt trails. However, by law, e-bikes are prohibited on all non-motorized single-track trails, which are reserved for traditional bicycles and foot traffic.
There are a few exceptions to this rule—riders aged 65 and older or those with certain qualifying disabilities may be permitted to use e-bikes on single-track trails. Even so, it’s important to ride responsibly: follow posted speed limits, yield to pedestrians, and respect all signage. Violating e-bike rules can result in fines or being asked to leave the area, so always check trailhead signs or local maps before heading out.
Soft ground—Turn Around
Mud on the heel or wheel means the trail is not suitable for travel. Using trails when they’re wet or muddy causes serious and often long-lasting damage. If mud sticks to your shoes or tires, or if you’re leaving noticeable ruts, the trail is too soft to use. Riding or walking on wet trails—especially with mountain bikes or fat bikes—can create deep grooves that disrupt the trail surface, cause erosion, and damage the underlying soil structure. These ruts can channel water, leading to further erosion and trail widening, which in turn harms surrounding vegetation and wildlife habitat.
Repairing this damage takes time, funding, and volunteer effort. By avoiding wet trails, you help preserve trail quality, protect the environment, and reduce the need for costly maintenance.
Bells on the Trails
Using a bell while biking or hiking is a simple and effective way to promote safety and courtesy on shared trails. Ringing your bell when approaching blind corners, narrow sections, or when coming up behind other trail users alerts them to your presence without startling them. This helps prevent collisions and reduces stress for everyone—especially hikers, runners, families, and horseback riders.
Bells are particularly helpful on busy or multi-use trails where visibility is limited and trail users may be moving at different speeds. Many trail users appreciate the friendly “ding” as a respectful heads-up. Carry a bell, use it regularly, and listen for others doing the same—it’s an easy way to make the trail safer and more enjoyable for all.
Time your Trail Outing
Our world is becoming more populated, and people are reaping the benefits of getting out into the mountains and onto the trails. This is a good thing! Trails in Park City are becoming more popular and busier, too. Pick your battles and know what you’re getting into. If you choose to go on a mountain bike ride at mid-morning, say 10 am or so, on a Saturday, and the popular Armstrong Trail is your planned starting point – you are going to run into a lot of people biking, hiking, and trail running. Get in the headspace before going out. If you are trying to avoid crowds or hoping to sneak in a quick ride, early mornings and weekdays often see less traffic on the trails.
10 Seconds of Mountain Kindness
Take the time to slow down, smile at a passerby, and exercise understanding of other trail users–even when their etiquette isn’t 100%. Whether you live in Park City or are visiting, this town lives by the Mountainkind Pledge: “For our mountains, our town, and one another.” It’s small moments of kindness, respect, and stewardship that showcase who we are as a community. Park City has always been a town centered around progressive change and growth. Being “mountainkind” means taking care of what we love and preserving what we have for the next generation.
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Hiking and Camping Gear | Jans
Additional Links
Summer Interactive Map – Mountain Trails Foundation
Mud Season: Spring Mountain Biking in Park City – blog.jans.com
