TM 5-803-12
soils are better than trails on clay soils. To be
backs. On slopes of 12 to 20 percent or more,
challenging, an ORV course typically should in-
trail designs should incorporate erosion control
clude some moderately steep terrain. The course
measures to include trailside drainage swales,
must be designed to minimize erosion and to
tile culverts, and baffles on long, sloping trail
control silt and sediment-laden runoff. Incom-
surfaces. Nature and interpretive trails should
patible adjacent land uses include housing,
not exceed a length of about one mile, corre-
primitive camping, other tent camping, nature
sponding to an average visit of one hour or less,
and interpretive centers and trails, fishing ponds,
and should be closed loops. Trails for the hand-
lakes, and hunting areas (unless the ORV sea-
icapped should be provided only on level terrain,
son of use is curtailed for an interval before and
and should be hard-surfaced trails wide enough
during hunting season). ORV users accept higher
to accommodate wheelchairs. Trails for the
use levels if the course is challenging and there
handicapped should not exceed one-eighth mile
are comfort and other convenience and support
and should form a closed loop. Backpacking trails
facilities in close proximity to the site. Users
are commonly 7 to 14 miles in length, repre-
traveling to remote locations for this activity
senting approximately a one-day outing. Cross-
are generally seeking a quasi-primitive recrea-
country trails are commonly 20 miles or more in
tion experience and are less tolerant of higher
length and have camping areas (primitive or de-
use levels.
veloped) at intervals of about 10 miles. Appro-
g. Horseback riding. Equestrian trails should
priate support facilities for hiking include
be located in an area with a diversity of inter-
trailhead parking areas, comfort facilities,
esting topographic and natural features includ-
drinking fountains, interpretive signs and per-
ing both level and moderately steep or rolling
haps a visitor center or visitor contact station
terrain, woodland vegetation and open fields, and
(either a manned or unmanned facility). Trails,
interesting natural or cultural features. Trails
in turn, are commonly support facilities for na-
with such amenities will support higher use lev-
ture centers.
els than those lacking interesting features. The
d. Bicycling. Bicycle routes or trails should be
type of vegetation and topographic character-
at least 5 miles in length to make the ride in-
istics found along the trail affect the perceived
teresting; must be hard-surfaced and wide
closeness of the groups of riders. Trail surfaces
enough for two cycles to ride side-by-side; should
that are stable support the highest use. Eques-
run past points of scenic or historic interest when
trian trails should be on dry, sandy soils; wet,
possible, and should avoid busy intersections and
clay soils are easily damaged by this use. Horse-
streets. The route chosen should be nearly level
back riding is generally considered incompatible
and should pass some shade trees for more
with hiking or ORV use. Equestrian trails should
pleasant summer cycling. Reference TM 5-803-5
run between 5 and 20 miles in length in a loop
. for additional guidelines.
system which starts from and returns to the horse
e. Picnicking. This activity requires a site that
facility area. Ample space for parking and un-
can sustain high levels of use, usually one with
loading horse trailers should be included among
soils with only slight to moderate limitation due
the facilities, as well as the stables, corrals, and
to slope, compaction potential or erosion poten-
riding rings which make up an equestrian com-
tial. The type and amount of vegetation on the
plex. These facilities should be separated from
site affects the density that participants are
all other recreation facilities and located down-
willing to tolerate as well as the ease of locating
wind (according to the prevailing winds during
and constructing picnic sites. Participants at a
the summer months) from them. Although
picnic site in or near an urban setting will tol-
equestrian facilities require a large amount of
erate higher use levels than participants who
open space, some shaded areas can provide wel-
have travelled to a remote location for this ac-
come relief.
tivity. Shape of the site also affects use. Gen-
h. Swimming beach. This activity requires a
erally, linear-shaped picnic areas can
body of water of sufficient depth to allow swim-
accommodate higher densities than square or
rectangular areas because of the adverse cu-
mers to swim and dive without striking the bot-
mulative perception of many recreation partic-
tom and a beach area to include some provision
for sunbathing. Limiting factors include the size
ipants located over a wide area.
of the beach area and water quality. Incompat-
f. Off-Road vehicle (ORV) riding. Sites se-
ible activities include power boating, water skiing
lected for this activity must be on soils able to
and fishing. The quality of site amenities and
withstand compaction and with low erosion po-
proximity of convenience, comfort and support
tential. As a rule-of-thumb, ORV trails on sandy
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