Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service
Chapter 5A Trail Signing
Placement and Installation
5A.1 Trail Sign Placement and Installation
This chapter illustrates typical placement and installation of trail signs.
5A.2 Placement
Signs are typically mounted 2 to 6 feet from the right edge of the trail tread to the nearest sign edge to provide adequate clearance for the trail traffic.
Place signs where they are clearly visible. Sign placement is especially critical for winter signing when visibility can be at its worst. Sign for the unfamiliar user in poor weather and light conditions and with no tracks to follow. To keep signs free from snow and ice, and to increase visibility, place signs where they will be protected from the prevailing wind if possible. Determine placement distances based on adverse conditions.
Maximize opportunities to limit signs to one panel. Limit signing to:
- One installation (single post or tree) per junction
- Two signs per installation
As a rule, place signs perpendicular or parallel to trail direction.
Signs placed more than 8½ feet above the trail tread may not be visible, especially at night.
5A.3 Supports and Mountings
Order signs with predrilled holes and mount them with zinc-plated lag screws or bolts. Use vandal-resistant hardware where sign theft is a problem. Reassurance blazers should be mounted with aluminum nails.
When wood posts are used, position the top of the sign 2 inches below the top of the post on the side in contact with the sign. Use unstained posts with tops that are rounded or sloped at 45 degrees away from the sign face. At a minimum, butt preservative treatment is recommended. When round wood posts are used, consider notching the post to facilitate flat mounting of the sign.
When trees are used, prune limbs well above the sign, so limbs will not droop with the weight of snow or ice and obscure the sign. When mounting on trees, allow space for tree growth. Select trees that:
- Are close to the trail
- Are in a direct line of sight from the trail
- Have the best light exposure to improve visibility
On snow trails where wide variations in snow accumulations can be expected, consider special support extensions that allow for periodic resetting during the use season. In areas with heavy summer use, consider mounting the snow trail signs on removable posts on stationary bases or receptacles. This will improve esthetics and reduce vandalism and maintenance on the snow trail signs.
Figure 5A-1—Typical placement of regulatory and warning
signs for motorized trail/road crossings.
Figure 5A-2-Typical placement of road guide
signs for trails crossing or beginning at roads.
Figure 5A-3—Site identification and site approach signs.
Figure 5A-4—Trail junction signing.
Figure 5A-5—Trail junction signing.
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