Designing and building high-quality trails that facilitate a positive experience and protect natural resources can feel like a daunting task. There are many resources available from multiple trails organizations that can help throughout the process. Please reach out to Claire Polfus, Recreation Program Manager (claire.polfus@vermont.gov), if you have any questions that aren’t answered in the resources linked below.
General Guidelines
- USFS Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook
- USFS Trail Fundamentals and Trail Management Objectives
- Vermont Town Forest Trail Design Guide
- Guidance for Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Monitoring and Control in Connection with Section 248 Projects
By Use Type
- Accessible Recreation
- USFS Accessibility Guidebook
- Access Board Guidance for Boating Facilities
- Access Board Guidance for Fishing Piers
- Adaptive Mountain Bike Standards
- Mountain Biking
- IMBA Guidelines for a High Quality Trail Experience
- Rail Trails and Multi-Use Paths
- VTrans Pedestrian and Bicycle Facility Design Manual
- Equestrian
- USFS Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails Trailheads and Campgrounds
- Backcountry Ski
- Vermont Backcountry Ski Handbook
- Snowmobile
- VAST Best Practices for the Development of Snowmobile Trails
- River Access
- NPS River Access Planning Guide
- Rock Climbing
- Access Fund Climbing Management Guide
- Trails Near Wetlands
- USFS Wetland Trail Design and Construction
- VT DEC Wetlands Program Recreation Trail Building and Wetlands
- Trails Near Rivers
- VT DEC Rivers Program Recreation Trail Building and Riparian Areas – Coming soon
- Campsites
- USGS Sustainable Camping Best Management Practices
- ATC-USFS-NPS-GMC Backcountry Sanitation Manual