Safety

Recreate Responsibly

NPS / Matt Turner

The park is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

Please note the following cautions:

• Be alert for traffic when crossing the roads and in parking areas.
• Swimming, wading, and fishing are not allowed in the Pogue. In the winter, ice conditions on the Pogue can vary extensively and create hazardous conditions. Walking, skiing, snowshoeing or skating on the Pogue is never advised.
• Hiking trails vary in difficulty. Many trails have uneven footings. Choose a route that is within your ability, stay on the trails, and take the trail map with you. Learn more about hiking safely at Outdoor Activities.
• Ticks and mosquitoes are present in the park and may carry bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. Staying on the main roads and trails will drastically reduce your risk exposure to ticks. Learn more about tick and mosquito safety and prevention from the Center for Disease Control.
• Hikers should yield to horses. Slowly and calmly step off to the downhill side of a trail. If you approach from behind, calmly announce your presence and intentions. Horses and other pack stock can frighten easily, so avoid sudden movements or loud noises.
• Those skiing or snowshoeing must be self-sufficient and confident in their abilities as there is limited ski patrol in the park. To learn more, visit Winter Sports.
• Call 911 in the event of an emergency. Local Emergency Medical Services will respond to any medical emergency.

For more information about visiting the national park during the pandemic, please see Recreate Responsibly During COVID-19.

Other Considerations

• Pets on a leash are welcome until winter snows arrive and the carriage roads are used only for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. During the rest of the year, please make sure pets are on leash at all times.
• The use of motorized vehicles and bicycles on the carriage roads and trails is specifically prohibited in the Deed of Gift - a permanent condition of the generous donation that transferred most of Mount Tom to the National Park Service and the American people. Since the park opened in 1998, people have been understanding and respectful of this limitation and have enjoyed the carriage roads and trail in many other ways.
• The trails are open for equestrian use. Most trails are suitable for horseback riding, but please avoid taking your horse up the Precipice Trail and North Peak Trail. Horse Trailers can be parked at the Prosper parking lot or Billings Farm and Museum overflow lot. (If you are bringing a carriage, please make sure to call ahead to make arrangements 802-457-3363 x0).