Everything you need to know

Users Guide Original

Location

How to get to standing boy trails

Standing Boy Trails is located in north Columbus, with access to parking areas off Old River Road.

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

Coming from town, you will turn left or west onto Old River Road. The Biking Trailhead and Overflow Flow Parking will be the first access point on your left and the Hiking Trailhead will be the second. From Overflow Parking, the Hiking Trailhead can be accessed via Primary Goods (multiuse) or Clovis (foot traffic only).

Currently, there are portable toilets at the trailheads but no water. Parking passes are required. See below for information/purchasing.

Biking and overflow Trail

Parking

Parking Pass information

The trails were constructed with 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.

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.

Trail Info

basic trail information

We have Hiking (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

MTBProject

AllTrails

Status

trail closures and status

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,” and may stay closed longer after rain.

The Hiking Trails and Troads are only closed in the very wettest of conditions. But 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.

Support

We Still Need Your Help

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.

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 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.
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.
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.

Biking

Electronic Bikes

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. And 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.

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 to and respectful of 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

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 respects 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.