Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service
Chapter 5 Trail Signing Continued
5.9 Congressionally Designated Trails
Congressionally designated trail signage must be consistent among administrative
units. Coordinate area and trail management plans as appropriate. Standardize
trail signing within areas that include more than one administrative unit.
5.9.1 National Trail Systems
National trails "provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs
of an expanding population and in order to promote the preservation of, public
access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor
areas, and historic resources of the Nation." (National Trails System
Act of 1968).
5.9.1a National Recreation Trails
National recreation trails are designated under regional forester authority
to provide for a variety of outdoor recreation uses in or reasonably accessible
to urban areas.
5.9.1b National Scenic Trails
National scenic trails are trails designated by Congress to provide for maximum
outdoor recreation potential and for the conservation and enjoyment of the
nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, or cultural qualities of
the areas through which they pass.
5.9.1c National Historic Trails
National historic trails are designated by Congress and follow as closely
as possible and practicable the original trails or routes of travel of national
historic significance. They identify and protect the historic route and its
historic remnants and artifacts for public use and enjoyment.
5.9.2 National Trail System Signing
Signing of trails in the National Trail System requires special emphasis to
denote their uniqueness and special qualities. Identify national scenic, historic,
and recreation trails with the appropriate national marker, such as those shown
in Figure 5-14. Sign according to the management objective
of each trail system. The policy and criteria for signing and posting national
trails are the same as for other National Forest System lands, with the exceptions
noted in the following sections.
Figure 5-14—Examples of national trail markers.
5.9.2a Trailheads
At trailheads or developed recreation sites associated with the trail, mount
the 9-inch national trail marker on the base of the site identification sign
or on a separate post in a prominent location.
5.9.2b Road Crossings
To indicate the trail crossing a road, use the 9-inch marker along NFSRs when
speeds are 35 miles per hour or lower. Use the 18-inch marker on roads when
speeds are 40 miles per hour and higher. Mount the markers 1 inch below the
guide sign identifying the trail or its destinations. If no other identification
sign exists, the marker should be mounted on a separate post to identify the
trail. Its use is intended only as a symbol associated with the trail. The
words are not intended to be read by motorists at highway speeds.
Larger signs may be produced and used for special situations on high speed
highways. Maintain the same shape and colors when ordering special size signs.
5.9.2c Guide Signs
When the trail guide sign is located on the national trail, identify the national
trail designation by use of reassurance markers mounted below the guide sign.
Use the 3 ½-inch national trail marker to identify the trail. Do not
mount the national trail marker directly on guide signs.
When the trail guide sign is not located on the national trail but is located
at a trailhead or junction when the national trail is identified on a guide
sign as a destination, use the directional arrow, the abbreviation JCT, the
name of the trail, and the distance to the junction. Do not abbreviate the
trail name. Refer to Figure 5A-18.
5.9.2d Reassurance Markers
See Section 5.12. Depending on the management
plan for the national trail, reassurance markers for national trails will consist
of one of the following:
- Paint mark
- 3½-inch plastic or metal blazer with the official logo
- Branded or routed official logo
To keep travelers on course, use reassurance markers at all intersections
and locations where the trail location could be uncertain. Do
not use the national logo marker off the national trail.
Reassurance markers may be placed on a separate post or tree, or just below
a guide sign on the same support if mounted below a guide sign. They shall
be mounted or branded directly on the post or tree supporting the sign, or
on a separate board (approximately 6 by 10 inches) that is fastened to the
support. Directional arrows below the marker shall indicate the direction of
the trail. When mounted on a post or tree, reassurance markers shall be about
5 feet above the level of the tread.
In wilderness, use the brand or routed marker; do not use the plastic or metal
marker. Use the branded or routed logo to identify the trail at junctions and
other decision points, and as needed to protect wilderness resources. Do not
use it as a general reassurance marker along the remainder of the trail within
the wilderness.
5.10 Summary of Standards and Guidelines by
Trail Type
Tables 5-7 through 5-13 contain
summaries of the standards and guidelines for each type of trail. Each chart
is for a specific trail type.
Table 5-7—Hiker/pedestrian and
pack and saddle trails sign requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory and warning |
Retroreflective not required, consider using for added emphasis |
Warning: 12 X 12 |
If used, follow MUTCD colors |
If used, follow MUTCD shapes |
| Guide |
Typically routed |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 1 inch, routed |
Unfinished wood, scorched or blackened legend, or WPC material |
TD |
| Junction identity |
Typically routed |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 1 inch, routed |
Unfinished wood, scorched or blackened legend |
TD |
| Reassurance markers |
Nonretroreflective |
5 X 7 |
Gray or white |
TB-1 plastic blazers |
| Cut, painted, branded blazers, logo brands, rock cairns, natural guide
poles |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Hiker/pedestrian and pack and saddle trails sign support and placement
requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom of sign |
5 feet |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge of trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
3 foot clearance for pack stock |
| Remarks: |
Table 5-8—Wilderness trails
sign requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory |
Nonretroreflective |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| Warning |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| Guide |
Routed only |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 1 inch, routed |
Unfinished wood with scorched or blackened legend |
TD or TDW |
| Junction identity |
Routed only |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 1 inch, routed |
Unfinished wood with scorched or blackened legend |
TD |
| Reassurance markers |
Cut, painted, branded blazers, logo brands, rock cairns, natural guide
poles |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Wilderness trails sign support and placement requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom or sign |
5 feet |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge or trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
3-foot clearance for pack stock |
Remarks:
- Specific onsite signs necessary for resource protection or visitor
management may be used if no other means of protection or communication
is suitable.
- Generally, do not use reassurance markers except in locations
where the trail is difficult to locate.
- Use only cut, painted, or branded/scorched blazes in wilderness.
Limit painted blazes only to those wilderness trails identified
in the National Trails System Act, and associated intersecting
trails where necessary
- Do not use Federal recreation symbols or plastic and metal national
trail markers
- Guide poles should be left natural with no markers, blazers,
or tape.
- Do not use warning signs.
- Limit use of regulatory signs at the trailhead
|
Table 5-9—Cross-country ski
trails, urban or night skiing sign requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory and warning |
Shall be retroreflective |
Warning: 12 X 12 |
Shall follow MUTCD colors |
Shall follow MUTCD shapes |
| Guide |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Junction identity |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Reassurance markers |
Shall be retroreflective |
5 X 7 |
Blue |
TB-1 |
| 9 X 12 |
Blue |
TB-2 with arrow |
Cross-country ski trails, urban or night skiing support and placement requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom or sign |
40 inches above average maximum snow level
No more than 84 inches above current snow level |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge or trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
2 to 6 feet |
Remarks:
- Destinations on guide signs should emphasize safety features
such as shelters and warming huts.
- Distances are measured in kilometers (km). Use decimal kilometers
up to 1 kilometer (0.1 to 0.9). Round to the nearest kilometer
with no decimal after 1 kilometer.
- Use locator maps on systems with multiple loops or where the
trail system is complicated and can be confusing.
- Guide poles may be painted blue or have a blue TB-1 blazer mounted
on both sides.
- Use the blue TB-1 on ski trails that serve hikers during the
off season. Do not change the blazers to gray/white unless needed
for added visibility during the summer.
- Where wide variation in snow accumulations can be expected,
periodic resetting may be necessary.
- In areas with heavy summer use, consider mounting the signs
on removable posts on stationary bases. This will improve esthetics
and reduce vandalism and sign maintenance.
- When trees are used for mounting signs, prune limbs well above
the sign so limbs will not droop with the
weight of snow and obscure the sign.
|
Table 5-10—Cross-country ski
trails, semi-primitive motor or nonmotorized ROS sign requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory and warning |
Retroreflective not required, consider using for added emphasis |
Warning: 12 X 12 |
If used, follow MUTCD colors |
If used, follow MUTCD shapes |
| Guide |
May be routed |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 1 inch, routed |
May be unfinished wood with scorched or blackened legend or WPC material |
TD |
| Junction identity |
May be routed |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 1 inch, routed |
May be unfinished wood with scorched or blackened legend or WPC material |
TD |
| Reassurance markers |
May be retroreflective |
5 X 7 |
Blue |
TB-1 |
| 9 X 12 |
Blue |
TB-2 with arrow |
Cross-country ski trails, semi-primitive motor or nonmotorized ROS support
and placement requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom or sign |
40 inches above average maximum snow level
No more than 84 inches above current snow level |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge or trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
2 to 6 feet |
Remarks:
- Destinations on guide signs should emphasize safety features
such as shelters and warming huts.
- Distances are measured in kilometers (km). Use decimal kilometers
up to 1 kilometer (0.1 to 0.9). Round to the nearest kilometer
with no decimal after 1 kilometer.
- Use locator maps on systems with multiple loops or where the
trail system is complicated and can be confusing.
- Guide poles may be painted blue or have a blue TB-1 blazer mounted
on both sides.
- Use the blue TB-1 on ski trails that serve hikers during the
off season. Do not change the blazers to gray/white unless needed
for added visibility during the summer.
- Where wide variation in snow accumulations can be expected,
periodic resetting may be necessary.
- In areas with heavy summer use, consider mounting the signs
on removable posts on stationary bases. This will improve esthetics
and reduce vandalism and sign maintenance.
- When trees are used for mounting signs, prune limbs well above
the sign so limbs will not droop with the weight of snow and obscure
the sign.
|
Table 5-11—Bicycle trail,
paved or coincident with roads sign requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory and warning |
Shall be retroreflective |
Shall follow MUTCD
Table 9B-1
Warning: 18 X 18 |
Shall follow MUTCD colors |
Shall follow MUTCD shapes |
| Guide |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Junction identity |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Reassurance markers |
Shall be retroreflective |
12 inches |
White legend on brown background |
Federal Recreation Symbol RL-090 |
Bicycle trail, paved or coincident with roads support and placement requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts |
| Reassurance marker supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom or sign |
4 feet with 5 foot maximum |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge or trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
3 to 6 feet |
Remarks:
- Standards shall be in accordance with the MUTCD, Part 9, Traffic
Controls for Bicycle Facilities.
|
Table 5-12—Mountain bike trails
roads sign requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory and warning |
Shall be retroreflective |
Warning 12 X 12 |
Shall follow MUTCD colors |
Shall follow MUTCD shapes |
| Guide |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Junction identity |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Reassurance markers |
|
3 inches |
White legend on brown background |
Federal Recreation Symbol RL-090 |
Mountain bike trails sign support and placement requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom or sign |
5 feet |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge or trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
2 to 6 feet |
Remarks: |
Table 5-13-ATV/motorcycle trails sign
requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory and warning |
Shall be retroreflective |
Warning 12 X 12 |
Shall follow MUTCD colors |
Shall follow MUTCD shapes |
| Guide |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Junction identity |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Reassurance markers |
|
3 inches |
White legend on brown background |
Federal Recreation Symbol RL-090 |
ATV/motorcycle trails support and placement requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom or sign |
5 feet |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge or trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
2 to 6 feet |
Remarks: |
Table 5-14—Snowmobile trails sign
requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory and warning |
Shall be retroreflective |
Warning 12 X 12 |
Shall follow MUTCD colors |
Shall follow MUTCD shapes |
| Guide |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Junction identity |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Reassurance markers |
Shall be retroreflective |
5 X 12 |
Orange or fluorescent orange |
TB-1 plastic blazer |
| 9 X 12 |
TB-2 with arrow |
Snowmobile trails support and placement requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom or sign |
40 inches above average maximum snow level
No more than 84 inches above current snow level |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge or trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
2 to 6 feet |
Remarks:
- Destinations on guide signs should emphasize safety features such
as shelters and warming huts.
- Use a location map showing the trail system, groomed or ungroomed
conditions, and a "YOU ARE HERE" arrow at each intersection
for user orientation and security.
- Guide poles may be painted orange, have an orange TB-1 blazer
mounted on both sides, or be wrapped with retroreflective orange
tape.
- Where wide variation in snow accumulations can be expected, periodic
resetting may be necessary.
- In areas with heavy summer use, consider mounting the signs on
removable posts on stationary bases. This will improve esthetics
and reduce vandalism and sign maintenance.
- When trees are used for mounting signs, prune limbs well above
the sign so limbs will not droop with the weight of snow and obscure
the sign.
|
Table 5-15—Water trails sign requirements
| Sign type |
Sign face |
Minimum size (inches) |
Color |
Shape |
| Regulatory and warning |
Shall be retroreflective |
Warning 12 X 12 |
Shall follow MUTCD colors |
Shall follow MUTCD shapes |
| Guide |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Junction identity |
Shall be retroreflective |
Text: Capital ASA Series C, 2 inches |
White legend on brown background |
FRD |
| Reassurance markers |
Shall be retroreflective |
3 inches |
White or brown |
Federal Recreation Symbol RW-020 |
Water trails support and placement requirements
| Sign supports |
Posts or trees |
Minimum mounting height,
trail tread to bottom or sign |
5 feet above high water level |
Minimum lateral distance,
edge or trail tread to nearest edge of sign |
2 to 6 feet |
Remarks: |
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