Bikes yield to hikers and horses
This is a common shared-trail convention; posted signs and the managing park's rule control.
Hiking / Trail rules
Trail rules & etiquette.
Few of these are 'laws,' but they're what keep trails open, safe, and beautiful - and what makes you a good neighbor on the trail. Here's the short version.
Leave No Trace
The seven Leave No Trace principles, in plain terms:
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces (stay on the trail).
- Dispose of waste properly - pack out trash and dog waste, and follow the land manager's human-waste rules.
- Leave what you find - rocks, plants, and artifacts (see the Foraging hub).
- Minimize campfire impacts.
- Respect wildlife - never feed it.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
"Leave what you find" includes rocks, plants, and artifacts - see the Foraging hub; "respect wildlife" means never feeding it - see the Wildlife hub.
The big one
Stay on the trail
Cutting switchbacks and going off-trail causes erosion, tramples habitat, and gets people lost. Walk single file through the middle, even when it's muddy.
Right-of-way: the yield triangle
When trails are shared, the rule is simple:
Hikers and bikes yield to horses
Step to the trail side the rider requests and speak calmly so the horse recognizes a person.
Downhill usually yields to uphill
Giving the climber room is common trail courtesy unless the posted rule or the situation calls for something else.
A few more
- Dogs: keep them leashed (6 feet in state parks) and pick up after them. Some trails and sensitive areas don't allow dogs at all - check the park.
- Drones: TPWD allows them in the designated area at Martin Dies, Jr. or under a filming permit from another state park. Contact the park well ahead of time.
- Don't feed wildlife - it's bad for them and against the rules (see the Wildlife hub).
- Don't use muddy trails. Hiking or riding wet, soft trails carves ruts and ruins them - and can get them closed. Wait for them to dry.
Keep going
Official sources
The seven principles come from the Leave No Trace Center; the dog, drone, and trail rules from TPWD. Each park can set its own specifics, so the park's page is the final word.
- Data vintage:
- Trail etiquette as reviewed July 2026
- Last reviewed:
- July 10, 2026
- Leave No Trace - Seven Principles - Trail ethics in plain terms
- TPWD - State Park rules
- NPS - hiking etiquette & yield rules
Before you act: Most of these are courtesies, not laws - but breaking them gets trails damaged and closed. A park's own rules (dogs, drones, closures) are the final word. How to use Texas Porch carefully.
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