Trails

Trail Rules

No motorized vehicles except emergency vehicle, maintenance vehicles, class 1 and 2 ebikes, electric wheelchairs by those with a documented disability.
Trail may only be used during open hours of 5am-10pm
Do not litter, leave, drop or deposit and waste material on Trail or adjacent property
Do not damage, deface or destroy public of private property
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages illegal drugs, or other hallucinogenic substances is prohibited
Possession or use of any fireworks, firearm, BB pellet, paintball or similar air-powered weapon, bow or crossbow on the trail property is prohibited, other than legal, CCW permit holders.
Do not hunt, trap, injure, kill or unnecessarily disturb any bird, reptile or other animal
Do not leave the Trail or trespass onto other public or private properties
Only use authorized access points to enter and leave the Trail
Do not release any domestic, wild, or exotic animal on or along the Trail
Camping, lighting and maintaining of fires is prohibited along the Trail
Only dogs on leashes with maximum length of 6 feet are allowed on the Trail
Obey all traffic control devices along the Trail
Do not post or display any advertising or other signs or displays along the Trail without permission of the Holmes County Park District or the Holmes County Rails-to-Trails Coalition
Speed limit is 20 MPH. Lower speed zones may be established in high traffic areas. Please obey posted speed limts.
Holmes County Park District reserves the right to bar those not following rules from using the Trail

Trail Hours

The Holmes County Trail is open from 5am-10pm. Special-use permits may be obtained for group night rides or special events from the trail director. These events must be approved and planned in advance for notification of local law enforcement agencies.

Facilities

Trail restrooms are available at trailheads Millersburg Depot, Millersburg. Port-a-jons are available in the parking lot south of Holmesville off of SR 83, the parking lot of the Millersbrug Depot, and at the end of the Trail in Killbuck. The Millersburg Depot provides restroom facilities throughout the year and is located in Millersburg off of Clinton and Grant Street adjacent to the Holmes County Trail. The depot serves as a trail and railroad information center as well. Picnic areas are located the Millersburg Depot/Hipp Station and at the end of the trail in Killbuck and Glenmont. A horse watering trough is located on the west side of the trail adjacent to the Millersburg Depot/Hipp Station.

Safety on the Trail

It is every trail user’s responsibility and right to ensure their own safety and expect safe practice from other trail users. Exercise caution at all times, follow guidelines and rules of the trail.

Trail Etiquette

Trail etiquette can be described as the polite way to use trails. It outlines guidelines for the many users that ride, walk, hike, bike, or roller blade the trail. Trail etiquette should be a major part of any trail user’s experience.

Trail use is a privilege that cannot be abused or disrespected, so making trail etiquette a priority allows everyone to enjoy the outdoors and have a good time while being safe and courteous. When traveling the Holmes County Trail, you may encounter many different forms of trail use, such as hikers, bikers, horseback riders, roller bladders and buggy traffic, etc. Therefore the user must adjust to different regulations (who passes first, who slows down, who gets the right of way).

If trail users conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, respect the environment and the other users, the trail experience will only get better. Keep safety and etiquette in mind when you are using the trail.

Multi-use Etiquette and Safety

Consideration and polite behavior are essential in order to ensure the enjoyment of all trail users and protection of the park resources.
Do not ride horses, drive buggies or bicycles in a manner that is likely to cause alarm or injury to another person or animal.
Cyclists should pass other trail users slowly and considerately.
Pedestrians and cyclist should always yield to buggies and horses and make their presence known well in advance.
Never attempt to “hide” from approaching horses, since this may cause the horses to shy.
Equestrians and Buggies must stay on chip and seal trail other than in designated areas where shared use is necessary.
When passing horses from behind, hikers and bikers should make the rider aware of their presence and then pass in front.
Never pass too close to a horse; try to keep a six-foot buffer zone.
If the horse’s ears are flattened all the way back, the horse is irritated and may kick.
Motorized equipment is prohibited.
Loud radios are prohibited on the trails, although earphone-type radios are permitted.
Be alert of user type changes throughout the trail.
Be alert of road crossings and steep trail shoulders may occur and are not marked.
Please be sure to stop at all intersections.
Alcoholic beverages and drugs are prohibited on the trail at all times.

Equestrians/Buggies

Buggy and Equestrian chip and seal trail users should stay to the in designated horse lanes of the trail.
Keep your horse on the chip and seal trail and off asphalt paved portions of the trail at all times other than in designated areas where shared use will be necessary, and at a safe setback from the asphalt paved trail when encountering other trail users. If two buggies/horses meet traveling in opposite directions, the asphalt paved section of the trail may be used briefly for them to pass. Please pass using road rules.
Horse owners and riders are responsible for staging area property and landscape damage caused by their horses. (Natural wear and tear on the trail tread way is admissible.)
Communicate – let other trail users know how to pass your horse safely.
Speed limit 20 mph; no galloping (cantering / loping are permitted).
Horses must be tied a safe distance from other trail users.
Leading dogs from horseback is not permitted.

Bikers and Inline Skaters

Bike and Pedestrian Asphalt trail users should stay on the non-horse designated side of the trail and pass using road rules on the asphalt trail.
Helmets and safety equipment are recommended.
Bicycles must be ridden at safe speeds, and in any case not greater than 20 MPH.
When passing other Trail users bicyclist should slow down, call out or ring bell when passing or say “Passing to your left or right”.
Leading dogs from bikes is not permitted

Pets

Only dogs and horses are permitted on the trail.
Because dogs have been known to run in front of a cyclist while on an extended leash we ask pet owners to keep pets on a maximum 6 foot leash at all times to prevent accidents; they should never be left unattended.
Extreme care should be taken to avoid conflicts between dogs and horses.
Dogs may not be lead from horseback, buggies, or bicycles.

Leave No Trace

Littering along trail is prohibited.
If you pack it in, pack it out.
Do not break off tree limbs or pick or damage plants growing along the trail.
Please stay on the trail. Do not leave the trail system and travel cross-country, or attempt “shortcuts.”
Trail closures may at times be necessary due to maintenance.
No trail activity is permitted on closed sections of the trail. The Trail is closed from Killbuck to Glenmont

Hunting and Trapping

Hunting and trapping is prohibited on the trail corridor and it is unlawful to have air guns, slingshots, bows or crossbows in your possession at any time on the Holmes County Trail.