Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service, Page 51

Sign and Poster Guidelines for the Forest Service

Chapter 10B Visitor Information Signing Bulletin Boards, Fees, Registration

10B.1 VIS at Recreation Sites—General Information

Signs and bulletin boards typically are used at recreation sites to communicate important information that visitors need for a safe and enjoyable experience. Signs and bulletin boards are often the only "official" contact visitors have with the agency during their outings. Along with safety, orientation, and regulation information the bulletin board is often the location for fee collection or registration requirements and instructions. These messages may have information combined into one sign, with specific messages targeting various issues. It is also important to note that trailhead or VIS signage is different from interpretive signage. VIS signs address requirements, rules, and specific behaviors for visitors on a specific land area. These signs direct human behaviors for land management purposes.

To be effective, VIS needs to be attractive, well maintained, have relevant information, present a professional image, and be accessible to all visitors. Homemade materials, uncoordinated color schemes, and posting information in a clutter manner hinder the communication effort and present an unsatisfactory impression of the agency to the public (figures 10B-1 through 5).

Photo of a three panel sign board.
Figure 10B-1—Professional looking VIS bulletin board at
Bear Lake Campground; posters are legible and
neatly arranged, and the sign structure is well
kept. Routt National Forest, Rocky Mountain BEIG Province.

Photo of an information board with more than a dozen signs and posters on it.
Figure 10B-2—What's wrong with this picture?

The site identification information is illegible and the shield is missing.
Poor maintenance can send the wrong message. The motorized and wheeled vehicle symbols across the top had red slashes through them. These have mostly worn off, so the sign indicates that these vehicles are allowed at this site.
The posters and brochures are arranged in a cluttered manner.
Brochures do not belong on bulletin boards; put them in a dispenser designed to go with the bulletin board.
Laminate maps before posting.
Think about what information is important and where it should be posted.
Do not post duplicate and/or conflicting messages.
Posting a wilderness poster and a small metal wilderness sign is confusing. Use one poster with the correct information on it.

Photo of a sign board with nine items on it.
Figure 10B-3—A rustic look is sometimes suitable, but this
board is not appropriate. The large hand-lettered
poster says that the area is provided by the Grand Mesa
Nordic Council and the U.S. Forest Service. Be a
good partner and share your expertise and the
Forest Service posters.

Photo of a sign board with a half dozen signs on it.
Figure 10B-4—Homemade and illegible posters and ill
maintained bulletin boards detract from a
professional image—even at remote sites. There is no
site or Forest Service identification. It is better to
have nothing than VIS that looks like this.

Photo of five signs on the same post.
Figure 10B-5—Example of homemade VIS. It
appears that this sign is to be read from a moving
vehicle; this is not appropriate for VIS. Do not post
VIS information next to a road. On these signs,
there is too much text, it is too small, and it
cannot be read from a moving vehicle. Sign
placement could cause safety problems;
drivers must stop to read the information.
Information needed to be read from a
moving vehicle - such as the speed limit -
shall meet all of the requirements and
standards in Chapter 3—Traffic Control Devices.

In an area heavily used by a non-English speaking population(s), such as immigrants or tourists, post bilingual or multilingual signs and posters. Translate the primary language and dialect(s). Always have the English translated by a professional translator and have the translated text back translated. The back translation is important to show that the meaning is consistent with what was intended. (The Spanish Colonial Research Center of the National Park Service, in partnership with the University of New Mexico, provides a low-cost Spanish translation service.)

Before installing a new bulletin board, sign structure, or changing an existing sign, always check the Built Environment Image Guide (BEIG) theme for the area as indicated by the BEIG Province. Select a VIS structure that reflects the appropriate BEIG theme, fits the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum class of the site, and harmonizes with the characteristic landscape. If a theme has not been adopted, refer to FS-710, BEIG, and chapter 4, as a general guide for considering site character, context, design themes, and materials.

10B.2 Guidance Signs

Use traffic guidance signs to direct users to onsite information, activities, and facilities locations. Follow standards in chapter 3 for design and placement requirements of traffic guidance signs. See figures 10B-6 and 7.


Figures 10B-6 and 7—Directional informational signs.

10B.3 Registration and Fees

Clearly inform visitors of any site requirements for registration or payment. Post the requirements at all entrances to the site and strategically locate the VIS. Install the registration and/or payment structure in a central area immediate to the use. Place signs on the right-hand side of the road when entering the site for safety and to facilitate traffic flow. Locate registration/payment stations in turn outs or parking areas so that stopped vehicles will not obstruct the flow of traffic. Add a roof over the pay station if needed because of weather conditions. See figure 10B-8.

Photo of a three panel sign board with roof.
Figure 10B-8—A roof is provided over this VIS pay station. Shawnee
National Forest, Northeastern BEIG Province.

Use Forest Service guidelines for signs at fee sites managed by the forest. See the National Guidelines for Recreation Fee Signs at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/rhwr/recfee/products-signs.shtml See figure 10B-9.

Image of a Fee Required sign.
Figure 10B-9—Example of a predesigned poster for a U.S. Fee Area.
Posters describe how to make the payment.

10B.4 Bulletin Boards

Bulletin boards provide essential information on orientation, recreation opportunities, safety, ethical use, regulations, and visitor responsibilities. The style of bulletin boards can showcase a forest theme and support the BEIG; there is no one set style. Where appropriate, provide a space on bulletin boards for visitors to leave messages for one another. See figures 10B-10 through 14.

Photo of a two panel sign board with roof.
Figure 10B-10—Trailhead VIS is built to complement the adjacent building.
Rock barriers prevent vehicles from encroaching into the space.
Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Rocky Mountain BEIG Province.

Photo of a triangular kiosk with roof that matches the building it is in front of.
Figure 10B-11—The kiosk in front of Sewee Visitor and Environmental
Education Center has a map of the area showing nature trails and so on.
Francis Marion National Forest and Cape Romain National
Wildlife Refuge, Southeast Coastal BEIG Province.

Photo of a three panel sign board with roof.
Figure 10B-12—This bulletin board includes regulations in
English and Spanish, posters, and information on how to
use the recreation site called Sliding Rock.
Pisgah National Forest, Southeast Mountain BEIG Province.

Photo of a sign board with posters arranged neatly.
Figure 10B-13—Neatly arranged posters on bulletin boards. Kisatchie
National Forest, Southeast Coastal BEIG Province.

Photo of a sign board with a variety of information posted on it.
Figure 10B-14—OHV information, map, posters, and brochures
at the trailhead for the Claiborne Multiple Use Trail.
Kisatchie National Forest, Southeast Coastal BEIG Province.

Temporary or seasonal conditions and closures are most often displayed using standard posters. Standard posters are at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/eng/roads_trails/signs_05/posters/index.htm or may be available from approved vendors. Post standard and local posters in an organized manner. When custom posters are created have them designed by graphics professionals, and always state the desired behavior. In certain cases, state how the desired behavior has improved the site. For example, by packing out their own trash, backpackers have reduced trash removal costs by ___% in the last 6 months. Such statements encourage others to follow suit. When using symbols, use only approved international symbols. Go to link http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/rhwr/images/symbols_rec/rec_symbols.html to download a set of symbols. Display only legible posters in good condition. See figure 10B-15.

Image of a Rules & Regulations sign.
Figure 10B-15—Approved posters screened onto one board.

10B.4.1 Site identification

Forest Service recreation and administrative sites should be identified appropriately with site identification signs according to directions located in Chapter 7, Recreation Site Signing and Chapter 8, Forest Identification Signing. This typically includes the site name, site type (i.e., campground, trailhead), forest name, the Forest Service shield and the USDA credit line. See figure 10B-16.

Photo of a two panel sign board with a large map on one panel and several posters and other information on the other.
Figure 10B-16—Forest identification and VIS are combined neatly for a
professional look. Gallatin National Forest, Rocky Mountain BEIG Province.

Site identification information may or may not appear on the VIS. At large or major sites where there are site identification signs, forest boundary signs, or other identification signs, the VIS does not need to restate the site identification information.

However, at minor sites, the site identification sign and the VIS may be combined into one sign. This cuts costs and prevents rustic or small scale sites from becoming overwhelmed or cluttered with signs. Basic information to accompany the VIS information includes the site name, site type, forest or administrative unit name, Forest Service shield, and USDA credit line.

Don't let the site identification information overwhelm the VIS. Incorporate all the identifying information into the sign via the items attached to the bulletin board or use the sign structure's header and footer. Do not increase the sign size or create a second sign just to accommodate these four items. See figures 10B-17 and 18.

Figure 10B-17—Forest Service shield.

Figure 10B-18—USDA credit line.

10B.4.2 VIS Content

VIS content varies according to the recreation site and the predominant activities. Provide helpful information specific to the site and the activities visitors are most likely to participate in. Take care not to overwhelm the visitor with too much information. Strike a careful balance considering how much one person can retain and what information is most helpful. The following list of topics is commonly found on VIS bulletin boards and signs.

Recreation activity information:
- Recreational opportunities.
- Points of interest.
- Area map with "You Are Here" label. See figure 10B-19.
- Distances and average travel times for trails and roads.
- Explanation of symbol system.
- Special designation logos (National Recreation Trail, Scenic Byway, Wild and Scenic River).
- Wilderness message.
- Facilities information, such as a snow trail grooming schedule.
- Public gathering areas.
Visitor registration information:
- Fees.
- Permit requirements.
Environmental awareness:
- Tread Lightly! —outdoor ethics, stewardship
- Leave-No-Trace (LNT).
- Overview of the LNT message.
- Appropriate one-liners "Minimize your impact on Wilderness: Take only pictures, Leave only footprints," "Challenge yourself to Leave-No-Trace."
- Illustrate correct or expected behaviors with LNT symbol sets (see figure 10B-20).
Regulations and restrictions:
- A complete listing of regulations and their references is available at district offices.
- Post only the most important or likely violations at the site.
  - Illustrate these with approved posters (see figure 10B-21).
Travel management information:
- Trail difficulty levels.
- Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), which includes any motorized mixed-use designation of an NFS road for use by both highway legal and non-highway legal vehicles.
- Non-motorized mixed-use messages. See figure 10B-22.
- Fire or weather closures.
- Activity restrictions.
- Equipment requirements.
- Geographic information and/or seasonal conditions.

Photo of a sign map with a You are here indicator.
Figure 10B-19—Area ma p with "You Are Here" label.

Image of a Leave No Trace, Outdoor Ethics sign.
Figure 10B-20—Leave No Trace logo.

Image of a sign that indicates the campsite can't be unoccupied for more than 24 hours. Included on it is the CFR rule.
Figure 10B-21—Recreation poster with CFR cited.

Yellow yield looking sign indicating that hikers yield to horses and that bikers yield to both hikers and horses.
Figure 10B-22—Non-motorized mixed use yield sign.

Safety and emergency information:
- Current recreation conditions.
- Nearest telephone.
- 911 or a State's equivalent emergency services number or other appropriate communications.
- Forest-operated traveler information radio station.
- Inherent risks, especially for wintertime activities, such as hypothermia and avalanche information.
- Recommended or required licenses or safety equipment.
- Patrol schedules.
- Motorist service information, such as gas stations, food, and lodging.
Assumptions of risk:
- YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. Travelers on national forests and grasslands may encounter a variety of dangerous conditions. It is your responsibility to inform yourself about these inherent risks and take precautions.
  - The use of this statement does not relieve the Forest Service of its normal responsibility to mitigate known hazards or to warn visitors about known hazards that are unusual, unexpected, or not readily identifiable by the average visitor during the normal use season.
- The Forest Service can not be knowledgeable about all possible hazards.
- It is the visitors' responsibility to assume the normal risks associated with use of the forest, inform themselves about potential hazards, and take appropriate actions to prevent injury or damage.
- See figures 10B-23 through 25.

Photo of a sign that has a map and other images and information on it.
Figure 10B-23—Digital laminate VIS. This sign identifies
two agencies, gives the site name, displays a map
with the "You Are Here" label, and lists rules,
responsibilities, and safety information including
local telephone numbers. San Juan National
Forest and BLM partnership, Rocky Mountain BEIG Province.

Photo of a sign map.
Figure 10B-24—Minor site sign with site name, visitor information,
and Forest Service shield all on one board. San Juan
National Forest, Rocky Mountain BEIG Province.


Figures 10B-25, 26, 27—VIS for a three-panel bulletin board includes site name, visitor information, payment information, and Forest Service identification. Dowdy Lake and Campground, Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest, Rocky Mountain BEIG Province. This same theme is repeated throughout the recreation site, on trailheads, boat launches, and the day use site for VIS and interpretive signage. Note: use standard fee posters.