age requirement

“I am 17 years old and I am interested in doing a short backpacking trail (a couple of nights) with my friends. Is there usually an age requirement to legally use a trail? Thanks for the help.”

“I have never seen any age restrictions, anywhere. If you are in a local government jursidiction, you might check curfew laws.”

“thanks! I was just checking because I know I can't bet a regular park campsite, and I wasn't sure if the laws were the same for backpacking trails also.”

“first off where are you thinking of going?? what kind of park? from my experience you wont have any trouble at any campgrounds, parks, or forests. just make sure you pay that parking fee and whatnot...”

“I dunno, but perhaps have some type of parental permission slip along? Might be dorky, but it couldn't hurt if any questions do come up from "authority types."”

“Yeah, I never heard of any rules like that either, if your going to be in a national park they usually post all of their rules fairly conspicuously.

lizs has a good idea - you never know what a ranger or forest service type might ask about.”

“ive never had any ranger approach me so long as i wasnt doing anything stupid...are you a stupid person....do you do stupid things...if so then dont even bother going to begin with cuz if the ranger doesnt kick your ass i will...but since i know you arent im sure you ll have fun...”

“If you go out of your home state, be sure and get some sort of letter from your parents saying where you intend to go, has your address and phone number, etc., just in case. Some states have funny laws about juveniles w/o their parents or a guardian.”

“a ranger with roving duties will approach you whether or not you're doing anything wrong, to see if you need help with anything, or to inform you about anything such as wildlife, hazards you might encounter etc. this is what i get for studying to be a ranger...”

“I lot of hospitals will not do some medical treatments unless a parent signs for it.
When I was take my underage nephews backpacking without their parents, I have a signed release from their parents giving me permission for their care.

Don't know how that will work or even apply for a group of y'all without any adults.
I guess y'all better not get hurt. ;-)”

“I don't know where you're going. In New Hampshire at any state campgrounds there must be an adult (over 18) to register. In the back country as long as you are doing ok and following the rules I don't think anyone would bother you.”

“If you go with Ice Tea he needs a signed note from his mother or he can't attend.”

“Take a few people over 18...
however there are other rules..
no drinking..
drugs..
but what are rules?”

“ Back Country Rules

Other Rules”

“The Medical Release form is absolutely critical if you're under 18. Please please take one, & make sure anyone else in your party has one if they're under 18. There are situations where a medical facility CANNOT legally treat you without parental permission.”

“lol to Sirpete. Just to clarify, at some point it came up that Ice Tea's FRIEND's mother was all concerned with him going out with a bunch of people he didn't know to go backpacking... with Ice Tea being underage. So the TTers finally determined it might be in everyone's best interest to have a release form signed by his mother.

Just makes sense in this world where everyone is sue-happy and, as mentioned above, signed releases are needed for EVERYTHING. >:-O”

“I also think in Tea's case there were adults taking a minor across state lines...”