Trail Etiquette

While enjoying our local trails it's good to be aware of trail etiquette, respecting other users and the trail environment.

Here are some etiquette pointers when using off-road trails.

1. Mind your pets. Ensure dogs are allowed on the trail. Keep dogs on a short leash and pick up after them.

2. Stay Right – Pass Left. Call out with a friendly ‘hello’ to pass another hiker from behind. Cyclists may ring their bell or call out “On your Left!” to warn they will be passing.

3. Share the Trail. When meeting oncoming hikers, hike single-file not taking up more than half the trail space, and stay on the trail. Ensure children and pets remain on right side of trail.

4. Standing Still? Step Aside. Make room for oncoming hikers.

5. Respect private property and farmlands. Please do not trespass.

6. Stay on trail. Respect the environment and leave it as your found it. Keep dogs on-leash and on-trail to avoid cacti and spreading weed seeds.

7. Use Waste Receptacles or carry out your trash. Leave no trace on the trail.

8. Respect wildlife. Keep a safe distance. Don’t feed wildlife and keep your dog under control.

9. Right of Way. Individual hiker yields and moves to the side for larger groups.

- Downhill hikers yield to those going uphill.

- Cyclists yield to hikers.

- Hikers and cyclists yield to horse riders.

Know Before You Go

When choosing your trail destination, be aware of allowed trail usage. Dogs, mountain bikes, and horses are not allowed on all trails.

Here is a summary of allowable uses on the main trail systems:

Trail Name	Dogs	Biking	Horse Riding
Grey Canal Trails:
Bella Vista/Okanagan Hills	ü On-leash	ü	û
Turtle Mountain	ü On-leash	ü	û
Swan Lake East	Not allowed McLennan Rd to Glenhayes Rd	difficult	ü
Silver Star Foothills	ü On-leash	ü	û
East Vernon	ü On-leash	ü	ü
Boss Creek	ü On-leash	difficult	û
Coldstream Valley Estates	ü On-leash	ü	û
BX Creek Falls	û	û	û
BX Creek Delta	ü On-leash	ü	û
Middleton Mountain Trails	ü On-leash	ü	û
Swan Lake Nature Reserve	û	û	û
Okanagan Rail Trail	ü On-leash	ü	û
Kal Crystal Waters	ü On-leash	ü	û
BX Ranch Dog Park	ü Off leash	û	û
BX Ranch Ranchlands	ü On-leash	ü	û

Provincial Parks	Dogs	Biking	Horse Riding
Ellison Provincial Park - Cycling on roadways and designated trails - Dogs not allowed in park buildings or beach areas (except Sandy Beach) - No horse riding in the Park	✓ On-leash	ü	û
Kekuli Bay Provincial Park - Cycling on roadways and new ‘Kal-Crystal Waters’ trail - No horse riding in the park	✓ On-leash	ü	û
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is zoned for specific recreation activities - Refer to signs in the park or download a brochure from either the ‘BC Parks’ or ‘Friends of Kalamalka’ websites - Dogs allowed off-leash at two dog beaches	✓ On-leash ✘ Not allowed in Jade, Juniper, and Cosens Bay Beaches from Apr 1 - Oct 31	ü in permitted areas only	ü in permitted areas only

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Use Restrictions

Dog Parks

For all regional parks and trails, dogs are required to be on-leash except at off-leash dog parks.

For a map of dog permitted parks and off-leash parks, see Greater Vernon Dog Parks.

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