Everything you need to know

Users Guide

Location

How to get there

Standing Boy Trails is located in north Columbus, with access to parking areas off Old River Road. Coming from town, turn left (west) onto Old River Road and then the parking areas will be on your left (south).   

There are two access points: (i) the Biking Trailhead and Overflow Parking and (ii) the Hiking Trailhead. 

The Biking Trailhead and Overflow Flow Parking are shortly after you cross Standing Boy Creek.  The Hiking Trailhead is slightly further down Old River Road. Both are accessed by turning off Old River Road onto gravel roads.  Some big, laser-cut metal signs for Old River Road are in the works.  For now, please rely on Google Maps.

The Biking Trailhead can be a bit tight for larger vehicles and is not a pull-through lot.  Drivers of those vehicles will be happier in Overflow Parking.

The Hiking Trailhead is currently a small grassy field, but a 25ish car gravel lot, kiosk, and portable toilet are coming.  For hikers and runners, the advantage of the “Hiking Trailhead” is that it is adjacent to the hiking-only trails and provides shorter access to the river.  From Overflow Parking, the Hiking Trailhead and hiking-only trails can be accessed via Primary Goods (multiuse) or Clovis (foot traffic only). 

There is a portable toilet at the Biking Trailhead.  Currently there is no potable water at either trailhead.

Purchase a Parking Pass

Parking

Parking Pass Required

The trails were constructed with over two million donated dollars and thousands of volunteer hours.  The trails, along with the parking areas and trailheads, are maintained and managed solely by Standing Boy, Inc.(SBI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  

One-hundred percent of the parking fee goes to SBI and is the chief source of revenue with which SBI manages and maintains the trails, trailhead, and access roads.  SBI does not receive government assistance.  State Park passes are not valid at Standing Boy.

For administrative efficiency, the parking pass utilizes license plates.  Solely from a standpoint of personal economics, a parking pass makes sense if you visit twenty or more times during the year.  If you and another member of your household are both visiting this frequently, then we would encourage you to become a Supporter or Patron, which will entitle you to multiple parking passes.  If you get in a bind with a car in the shop or similar, infrequent circumstances, then just leave a note on your dash with your license plate number.  We plan to address the parking fee in more detail as we flesh out the website, but initially the parking fee will be solely administrated by volunteers and we need it to be highly efficient. 

SUPPORTERS AND PATRONS

In addition to the parking fee, we are asking avid trail users, as well as those that see the value of the trails to our community, to give beyond the purchase of a parking pass by becoming a Supporter ($250) or Patron ($500). In addition to parking passes, Supporters and Patrons will get inside information on the trails and future plans, projections on trail openings, and, as we build out this program, other goodies and events.  Please take the time to learn more.

Learn More

trail map

and basic trail info

CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE

We have Hiking-Only (foot-traffic only), Multiuse (foot traffic and biking), and Gravity (downhill, bike-only) trails. Additionally, a number of old roadbeds (“Troads”) are signed and well-trafficked. A number of the troads only allow uphill bike traffic. The Multiuse and Gravity trails are designated similar to ski resorts: green is easiest, blue is moderate, and black is most difficult.

Please carefully study the Trail Map and review Trail Rules and Terms and Conditions. While the trails are well-signed and there are a handful of maps out on the trail systems, we strongly encourage the use of apps to help you navigate while you’re out on the trails.

Trailforks

Trailforks QR Code

MTBProject

MTB Project QR Code

AllTrails

All Trails QR Code

trail status

understanding closures

The Multiuse and Gravity Trails are closed when they are wet enough that use would cause damage.  Trail closures apply to all trail users – hikers, runners, and bikers.  

Some of the trails are designated as “Finicky Trails.”  These trails don’t handle the rain quite as well as the others and may stay closed longer after rain. If users respect these closures, it allows the rest of the trails to be open more often.  Please help us by making sure the kiosk sign matches the website and nicely explaining how this works to anyone riding closed trails.

If a large rain event is forecast, we will try to tarp Swavey’s and Sky Shark before the rain arrives.  This may necessitate us closing these jump lines the afternoon or evening prior to the day on which rain is forecast.

The Hiking-Only Trails and Troads are only closed in the very wettest of conditions.   However, when the Multiuse trails are closed, the gate to the Biking Trailhead and Overflow Parking will be closed.   We have to prioritize the protection of the substantial investment in the trails made by our donors and volunteers.

We have an awesome community of trail users and outstanding compliance with trail closures.  And it’s imperative that we keep things that way.  If you’re thinking of ignoring trail closures and disrespecting all of the donors and volunteers that have made the trails possible, know that doing so will force us to revoke your annual pass (if you have one) and suspend you from buying a day pass for some period of time.  Please don’t make us do this.   

Read More About Trail Closures...

Help us

use your common sense

Even though we work tirelessly to get the trail status right, we are not infallible. Thus, we need you to help by using your judgment.

  1. During the late spring and summer months when the trail system is generally dry and we get lots of pop-up showers, we are not going to close the trails after a brief rain if we think all they need is an hour or two to dry out. So during these months, please give the trails a little time after brief rains, even if they are not closed.
  2. If the trail status is “open” even though it should very likely be “closed” based on recent amounts of precipitation, please don’t go to the trails.
  3. If you get out there and we jumped the gun on reopening the trails, please get off the trails and let us know. While we often do physical checks of the trail prior to reopening, it not always possible and, when it is, we obviously cannot check all of the trails.

We are working on implementing a texting app that would allow users to send a text that would trigger alerts to a handful of key volunteers.  This will enable better communication and response times if we open the trails too soon after a rain, the gate malfunctions, etc.

E-MTB'S

WELCOME FOR NOW

Currently, all class 1 e-bikes are allowed at Standing Boy. However, we highly encourage the new class of lighter-weight, moderately-powered e-bikes for our rolling, multi-use trails. It’s possible that in future, only these types of e-bikes will be allowed.

Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are not allowed under any circumstances. Use of Class 2 or 3 e-bikes (or Class 1 e-bikes that have been modified) will result in the revocation of your annual parking pass (if you have one) and your ability to purchase a daily pass will be suspended for a period of time. Please don’t make us do this.

Read more about E-MTBs...

hunting

Quota hunts

Quota hunts are conducted on the property Friday through Sunday on the following weekends. The trails are open regular hours during archery hunting but are closed until 10:00 during the youth firearm hunts. Please be welcoming and respectful to the hunters.

Archery hunts for deer

  • The first weekend in October
  • The first and second weekends in November
  • The first weekend in December

Archery hunts for turkey

  • The fourth and fifth weekends of the state season*

youth firearm hunts for turkey

  • The second and third weekends of the state season*

* For 2023, the state season for turkey is April 8th through May 15th.  More information can be found at the DNR website.

Rules

Rules

  • Respect Trail Closures
  • Do Not Alter the Trails
  • Do Not Litter or Cut Corners
  • Take Complete Responsibility for Your Safety
  • When you Encounter Others, Be Courteous and Use Common Sense
  • Only One Earbud
  • Maintain Control of your Dog
  • Wear Appropriate Protective Gear – Always wear a modern, mountain bike helmet suitable for the riding you are doing. Depending on your skill level and the trails you are riding, consider knee pads, elbow pads, a full-face helmet and other body armor. If in doubt, wear it. 
  • Use an Appropriate Bike in Good Repair
  • Ride Under Control and Within Your Abilities at All Times
  • Scout Before You Send – There’s some pretty gnarly stuff out there. Plus, the trails are not regularly inspected and conditions change constantly. 

By entering this property, you affirm and make the following understandings, representations, and agreements, for which your use of this property constitutes adequate consideration.

You understand that:
–  This property is a natural environment that entails numerous inherent risks, including but not limited to steep slopes, holes, roots, rocks, unstable or slippery surfaces, falling objects such as branches and trees, poisonous plants, dangerous wildlife, and adverse weather conditions.
–  Many of the trails are designed, constructed, and maintained to difficult physical and technical challenges, which involve high levels of risk, including serious injury or death. 

–  Trail characteristics and conditions change regularly as the result usage, erosion, trail work, and other similar factors, the trails are not regularly inspected, and it may be some time before volunteers identify and are able to address damaged sections of trail. 

–  Since this property is open to the public, you or your property may be injured by the negligent or intentional actions of other persons. 

–  If you have induced a legally incompetent person (including but not limited to a minor) to be upon this property, you are wholly responsible for their conduct and safety. 



You represent and agree that 
–  You have reviewed and fully comprehend this agreement and the rules of the trail, and you will abide by the rules of the trail at all times. 

–  This agreement applies to all activities undertaken on this property, including but not limited trail construction and maintenance or other similar volunteer activities. 

–  You are in good health and have the requisite physical fitness, outdoor knowledge, and (if applicable) bike riding experience and skills to enjoy this property in a safe manner. 

–  You release and indemnify the Owners from any and all liability or responsibility, including but not limited to attorney’s fees and costs, for all injuries or damages directly or indirectly related to use of this property by yourself or legally incompetent persons you have induced to be on this property. 

–  The term “Owners” includes the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Columbus Consolidated Government of Muscogee County, Georgia, Standing Boy, Inc., the Chattahoochee Valley Area chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, and all partners, affiliates, officers, members, employees, volunteers of any of the foregoing. 

–  You consent to jurisdiction and venue in Muscogee County, Georgia. 


thank you

much obliged

Rules can be frustrating, and one of things we like about being on the trails is the feeling of freedom from all of the constraints of modern life.  But if we want to have nice things, somebody’s got to be in charge and we’ve got to have some rules.  

We appreciate our user community accepting and abiding by the rules.  Builders and other advocates from out of town are always impressed with how well everyone complies with trail closures, stays off new trails until they’re open, doesn’t litter, and otherwise respects the trails and property.    

Thank you!  And please know that we’re always aiming for the minimum effective dosage of rules and try our best to avoid rules that aren’t necessary or don’t make any sense.