| What it is | A trail's starting point |
| Often has | Parking, signage, maps, a register |
| Plan for | Permits, fees, parking |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
A trailhead is the starting point of a trail, where it meets a road, parking area, or another trail. Trailheads often have signage, maps, parking, and registers, and are where hikes begin and end. Knowing the trailhead and any permits or fees is part of planning a hike.
What to expect
A sign and map, parking, often a register, and sometimes restrooms or a fee station. From here you follow the blazes onto the trail.
Plan ahead
Check permits, fees, and parking before your day hike — part of Leave No Trace’s ‘plan ahead and prepare’.
Frequently asked questions
What is a trailhead?
A trailhead is where a trail starts — typically where it meets a road or parking lot, marked with a sign and often the trail's name and length. It's the point you set off from and return to, and the natural place to check the map and conditions.
What do you find at a trailhead?
Commonly a trail sign and map board, parking, a register or sign-in box, and sometimes restrooms, a fee station, or a kiosk with regulations and current conditions. Bigger trailheads may have water and information; remote ones may have only a sign.
Do you need a permit at a trailhead?
It depends on the area. Many popular trails and wilderness areas require day-use or overnight permits, sometimes self-issued at the trailhead register and sometimes obtained in advance. Always check the managing agency's rules before you go.
Sources
- Trip planning — National Park Service