To maintain an enjoyable, safe trail for everyone, the GM&O Rails to Trails Recreational District has established certain rules and regulations for using the Tanglefoot Trail. Rules will be posted at Whistle Stops and future Trailheads & Gateway facilities.

Trail Hours of Operation

  • Unless otherwise posted: Thirty (30) minutes prior to sunrise – thirty (30) minutes after sunset
  • Seven (7) days a week
  • Use outside these hours is strictly prohibited
  • Any violation of the hours of operation shall be punishable as provided by state law.

General Rules & Regulations

GM&O Rails-to-Trails District Rules & Regulations

Effective 8/12/2021

  • Unless otherwise posted, the Trail and other District property shall open daily thirty (30) minutes prior to sunrise and close thirty (30) minutes after sunset each day.
  • Entrance to the Trail is authorized only at public roads, whistlestops and other points of entrance designated by the District. Trail users shall not leave District property and access private property along the Trail without the consent of the private property owner.
  • Parking facilities are provided at whistlestops and other points of entrance designated by the District. Parking facilities shall be designated by appropriate signage posted by the District.
  • Trail users shall obey all Federal, State and Local laws and trail signage.
  • Trail users shall not access streams, ponds or lakes along or beneath the Trail for any purpose.
  • No person under 12 years of age shall be allowed on District property unless accompanied by an adult.
  • Petroleum-propelled vehicles (cars, trucks, ATV’s, motorcycles, etc.) are not permitted on the Trail except those emergency, maintenance and patrol vehicles authorized by the District.
  • Electric “golf-type” carts are permitted on the Trail only after application & receipt of a “special-use permit & decal” issued annually by the Trail Administrator.
  • Class 1 and Class 2 Electric Bikes (E-Bikes) are permitted on the Trail only after application & receipt of a “special-use permit and identification tag” issued annually by the Trail Administrator. (With some exceptions for District approved group events.)
  • Class 3 Electric Bikes are prohibited.
  • No dog(s) shall be allowed on District property unless confined by a leash and accompanied by the owner. Waste deposited by dog(s) on District property shall be immediately removed by the owner of the dog(s).
  • Horses or equestrian riders shall not be allowed on District property.
  • Camping on District property is prohibited.
  • Fires are prohibited on District property.
  • Pedestrians should keep to the left side of the Trail. Cyclists must keep right except when passing.
  • No person shall dispose of litter on District property except in waste containers provided by the District.
  • Vandalism of any building, structure, plant, sign or other District property is prohibited.
  • Moving, removing or re-arranging of any District sign, marker or other District property is prohibited.
  • Disturbing vegetation and the handling or feeding of wildlife on/along the Trail or other District property is prohibited.
  • No glass containers shall be permitted on District property.
  • Explosives or fireworks shall be prohibited on District property.
  • Possession of firearms on District property is controlled by state and local law. Please consult appropriate law enforcement if you have questions.
  • Shooting a firearm on, over, across or down the Trail or other District property is prohibited.
  • Hunting or fishing is prohibited on or from District property.
  • Possession or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs on District property is prohibited.
  • Disorderly conduct, including but not limited to abusive language, intoxication, disturbance of other persons and breach of peace, are prohibited on District property.
  • Any and all Trail advertising, exhibitions, solicitations and contributions are prohibited except by special permit authorized and issued by the District.
  • Violations of these Rules & Regulations shall be punishable as provided by state law. Individuals guilty of multiple violations of these Rules & Regulations may be banned from use or access of the Trail or other District property.

Special Rules & Regulations For Use Of A Golf/Electric Cart

  1. Cart must be open and battery powered only.
  2. Cart must possess a special use permit approved by the District’s Trail Manager and a current permit decal must be prominently displayed on the cart, which may be purchased for an annual fee to be established by the District.
  3. Cart operations must possess a valid state driver’s license and must be accompanied by a person of or be 25 years of age or older, except for physically and visibly handicapped individuals who must demonstrate his/her ability to safely operate the permitted cart, in lieu of a license.
  4. Permitted carts shall also comply with the general rules and regulations of the G M & O Rails to Trails Recreational District of North Mississippi and any and all posted signs, regulations, or warnings.
  5. The permitted cart will be operated in a mature and safe manner at all times and in compliance with any and all posted regulations and at a speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour.
  6. The permitted cart will be operated with full respect of other users and will operate at all times on the right side of the Trail except when passing, and shall not pass other users who are being assisted by a mechanical devise (i.e., bicycles, roller blades, wheelchairs, maintenance vehicles, etc.) unless invited to do so.
  7. The permitted car shall yield the right of way to all other users of the Trail who are assisted by mechanical devices (i.e., bicycles, roller blades, wheelchairs, maintenance vehicles, etc.) approaching from either the front or rear, by pulling to the right, off the asphalt surface where reasonably possible, and at least 150 feet in advance, and coming to a complete stop.
  8. Any violation of the general rules and regulations or these special rules and regulations for use of golf/electric carts on the Tanglefoot Trail shall be punishable as provided by state law.

Special Rules & Regulations For Use Of a Class 1 or Class 2 "E-Bike"

  1. “E-Bike” must be battery powered only.
  2. “E-Bike” must possess a special use permit approved by the District’s Trail Administrator and a current Identification tag must be prominently displayed on the bike, which may be purchased for an annual fee to be established by the District.
  3. “E-Bike” operators shall be at least sixteen (16) years of age.
  4. Permitted “E-Bikes” shall also comply with the general rules and regulations of the GM&O Rails to Trails Recreational District of North Mississippi and any and all posted signs, regulations, or warnings.
  5. The permitted “E-Bike” will be operated in a mature and safe manner at all times and in compliance with any and all posted regulations and at a speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour.
  6. The permitted “E-Bike” will be operated with full respect of other users and will operate at all times on the right side of the Trail except when passing, and shall not pass other users who are being assisted by a mechanical devise (i.e., golf carts, bicycles, roller blades, wheelchairs, maintenance vehicles, etc.) unless invited to do so.
  7. The permitted “E-Bike” shall yield the right of way to all other users of the Trail who are assisted by mechanical devices (i.e., golf carts, bicycles, roller blades, wheelchairs, maintenance vehicles, etc.) approaching from either the front or rear, by pulling to the right, off the asphalt surface where reasonably possible, and at least 150 feet in advance, and coming to a complete stop.
  8. Any violation of the general rules and regulations or these special rules and regulations for use of “E-Bikes” on the Tanglefoot Trail shall be punishable as provided by state law.

Comments are closed.