QUICKLINKS
Safety First
Trails Map
Cape Fear Trails Signage Guide
Cape Fear Trails Implementation Toolkit
Contact For Questions
Share the path.
Shape the experience.
Cape Fear Trails is here to keep our region’s paths friendly, fun, and frustration-free. Trail etiquette isn’t about rules for the sake of rules. It’s about the small, thoughtful moves that make a big difference. A quick heads up before you pass. Riding where you’re meant to ride. Keeping an ear out and an eye up. When we all bring a little awareness to the trail, everyone gets a smoother, safer, more enjoyable experience.
Led by the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) in collaboration with regional agencies and member jurisdictions, Cape Fear Trails supports a connected trail network that serves both communities and the people who use it every day. The Signage Guide was shaped by input from planning partners and trail users across the Cape Fear region, helping clarify expectations and address common challenges. Love your trails? Help others love them too! When sharing, be sure to tag us and use the suggested hashtags: #CapeFearTrails #PublicSpacesSharedPlaces
Share the posts. Shape the culture.
Eight simple reminders. Zero lectures.
Download the entire toolkit to save and share your favorites on social media, spread the word through email or newsletter templates, and provide handouts in your community, because trail etiquette works best when everyone’s in on it.
Safety first. Fun always.
Trail etiquette keeps things friendly. A little safety know-how keeps things rolling. Before you head out, remember the following to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.
- Rock the helmet! Your brain is a big deal. Here’s how to wear it right.
- Be bright when light is low. Lights and reflective gear aren’t just accessories.
- Signs aren’t suggestions. Follow posted rules and trail guidance.
- Do an ABC Check. A 30-second check can save a long walk home. Watch how here.
Explore the Cape Fear Trails Map
Build it right. Brand it right. Cape Fear Trails Signage Guide
The Cape Fear Trails Signage Guide establishes clear, practical standards for the implementation of signage and pavement markings across the region’s growing network of off-road trail facilities. Developed in collaboration with WMPO member jurisdictions, the guide supports a consistent, high-quality, and regionally branded trail experience. It incorporates Cape Fear Trails branding standards, applicable national standards for regulatory and warning signs and markings, and locally branded wayfinding signage and pavement marking recommendations tailored to our region.
The guide focuses on branding and placement best practices. It also provides the technical direction and materials needed for member jurisdictions and planning partners to successfully design and produce Cape Fear Trails wayfinding signage. The guide can be used during project planning, new trail development, or updates to existing facilities to help create a safe, intuitive, and cohesive experience for trail users of all ages and abilities. Materials to assist member jurisdictions in successfully producing Cape Fear Trails wayfinding signage, including branded templates and related resources, are available below.
For assistance in preparing signs, please reach out to Greer.Templer@wilmingtonnc.gov for assistance.
Implementation Resources
Ready to put the guide into action? The Cape Fear Trails Implementation Resources includes the branded assets and design files needed to implement signage consistently and confidently across the region.
This downloadable resource package includes the official Cape Fear Trails logo, map icons, route markers, sign icons, and sign previews, all organized into clearly labeled folders for easy use. Whether you’re designing wayfinding signage, updating pavement markings, or incorporating trail branding into project materials, these files provide the building blocks to get started.
Download the complete Implementation Resources below to access the full set of resources.
Keep the Momentum Moving
Cape Fear Trails is more than a message. It’s a shared commitment. From the Trail Etiquette Toolkit that helps spread awareness, to the Signage Guide that sets clear regional standards, to the Implementation Toolkit that puts the right tools in your hands, each piece works together to support a safe, welcoming, and recognizable trail experience across the Cape Fear region.
For questions about the Cape Fear Trails Etiquette Toolkit, please contact: Tessa.Jones@wilmingtonnc.gov
For questions about the Cape Fear Trails Signage Guide or Implementation Toolkit, please contact: Greer.Templer@wilmingtonnc.gov