USFS Trail Classes Photo Examples Trail Class 1

USFS Trail Classes Photo Examples Updated 2/20/2007

The photos below provide visual examples of typical Trail Class scenarios. Remember that the National Trail Management Class System is a spectrum, along a continuum from Trail Class 1 to 5, with no hard and fast lines drawn between the classes. The photos below can be used as visual aids to assist in consistent application of trail classification.

Trail Class 1

TC1 – Tread: Tread intermittent and indistinct.

TC1 – Obstacles: Obstacles continuous Trail Class Photos - 1

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TC1 – Constructed Features: Constructed features minimal to non-existent unless safety or route finding.

TC1 – Signs: No destination signs present, limited to regulation, junction, and resource protection, minimum required.

Trail Class Photos - 2

TC1 – Typical Rec. Environment / Experience: Recreation environment natural, unmodified.


Trail Class 2

TC2 – Tread: Tread discernible and continuous, but narrow and rough.

TC2 – Obstacles: Obstacles occasionally present. Blockages cleared to define route and protect resource. Trail Class Photos - 4

TC2 – Constructed Features: Structures are of limited size, scale, and numbers.


TC2 – Signs: Signs minimum required for basic direction, generally limited to regulation and resource protection.

TC2 – Typical Rec. Environment / Experience: Recreation environment natural, essentially unmodified.


Trail Class 3

TC3 – Tread: Tread obvious and continuous.

TC3 – Obstacles: Obstacles infrequent. Vegetation cleared outside of trail way.


TC3 – Constructed Features: Trail structures (walls, steps drainage, raised trail) may be common and substantial.

TC3 – Signs: Directional signs at junctions or when confusion is likely.


TC3 – Typical Rec. Environment / Experience: Recreation environment natural, primarily unmodified.


Trail Class 4

TC4 – Tread: Tread wide and relatively smooth with few irregularities.

TC4 – Obstacles: Few or no obstacles exist, grades typically