Hiking Safety Tips
Each year, thousands of people discover that walking and hiking on California’s state park trails is safe and healthy fun, if you follow a few tips:
- Outdoor plan: Cell connectivity in many state park units is limited or non-existent. Tell a responsible person back at camp or at home where you are going and when you plan on returning. Ask that person to notify local law enforcement if you do not return on time.
- Hike with a buddy: Use the buddy system and hike with a friend or family member.
- Do not walk off-trail: Do not walk off-trail or enter closed areas. Cutting across switchbacks erodes the hillside and eventually destroys the trail. Plus, walking off-trail increases your chance of suffering an injury or getting lost.
- Be courteous and observe trail etiquette: Communicate with others and step aside to yield, if possible, when others approach you on a trail. Alert those in front if you wish to pass.
- Take plenty of drinking water: Drink and carry plenty of water (a minimum of 1 quart every two hours). Leave stream, river and lake water for the park wildlife. Although it looks clean and refreshing, the water can make you ill.
- Shoes: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to help prevent injury.
- Never feed or touch wildlife: Do not approach or attempt to move sick or injured wildlife. Please report any encounters with aggressive, sick or injured animals to a park staff.
- Wildlife lives in all state parks, even near urban areas: Although rare, black bears, mountain lions and rattlesnakes may be seen. If you encounter wildlife on the trail, keep your distance, back away slowly and do not run. Report your sightings to park staff.
- Snakes: Always know where you are stepping. For example, if you must traverse a log that has fallen across the trail, rather than just stepping over the log, first step up onto the log then step down once you know the coast is clear. Be cautious when climbing rocks or picking up firewood. If you see a snake, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet. Most bites occur when people get too close or try to touch them.
- Ticks: Tick populations can increase depending on the season. Take the following precautions to avoid them:
- Walk in the middle of trails.
- Use insect repellent.
- Tuck your pants into your socks.
- After taking off gear, check for hitchhiking ticks.
- Always do a “tick check” with the help of a friend.
- Poison oak: It is a common plant throughout much of California. Learn to identify its shiny, three-leaf pattern, and avoid touching it. If you touch poison oak, wash immediately with water and mild soap. Pat dry with a clean towel.
Download the what3words and OuterSpatial apps to help ensure safety and enhance your park experience!
