As the snowline retreats, the locals thaw out and become eager to hit the trails. By Memorial Day weekend, flocks of visitors start to arrive who are also eager to explore the area's hyped natural wonders. Soon, trails in areas such as Hyalite Canyon (the most heavily visited recreation area in Montana) are packed. Hikers mix with mountain bikers, who mingle with dogs, who encounter horses, who come across people searching for a fishing hole….

Despite everyone’s best intentions, mixed use and crowding is causing tension. I recently witnessed a heated argument between two couples who were out for a hike when their dogs got into a tiff. The dogs seemed to shake it off quickly but the hikers started yelling at each other, which escalated to the point of threats being lobbed back and forth. The situation was magnified when a troop of kids hiked by with looks of disbelief on their faces.

Despite some folks’ preconceived notions of fighting in the Wild West, this is not the Montana way. The nonprofit One Montana, as part of its’ Montana Way Program, helped launch the Outside Kind Alliance with a dozen other key organizations including Gallatin Valley Land Trust and Bridger Ski Foundation.

The primary goal of Outside Kind is to share best practices, principles, and tips for enjoying the outdoors together. Whether you wish to encourage your friends and family or visiting guests to hike kind, wag kind, run kind, etc., Outside Kind offers consistent and clear guidelines around outdoor activities and positive local ethics. 

As One Montana's Executive Director Sarah Tilt puts it, “Montana is blessed with incredible natural resources that are enjoyed by all of us. With this enjoyment comes a responsibility to take care of these assets, and that’s where Outside Kind comes in. This effort is… all of us, as outdoor users, doing the right thing for the right reasons.” Luckily, being kind is an easy concept: simply saying hello creates a friendly atmosphere and encourages others to engage in a similar manner. It turns out being kind is contagious (science even says so!)

So be kind, happy trails start with you. Create a culture of kindness on the trails; kindness to the wildlife, kindness to fellow trail users, and kindness to the trail itself.

Here are a few simple guidelines:

• Hike Aware: Obeying applicable leash laws is our responsibility—Know the leash requirements of your area parks and trails.
• Hike Inclusive: Smile and say hello. Interact with other trail users.
• Hike No Trace: Don't get caught empty-handed—always bring dog waste bags with you. Don't leave poop bags on the trails—no poop left behind, people or pooch.
• Hike Smart: Be a trail steward—Know trail conditions and have a plan B if you find the trail you want to hike is muddy.
• Hike Low Impact: No cutting corners—stay on designated trails.
• Hike Safe: Know the weather, and bring layers and maybe a snack.
• Hike Prepared: Be aware of the trail conditions and if there is water for dogs or not. Carry supplemental water to keep your pup hydrated, if needed.
• Hike Committed: Give back by volunteering for trail clean-up and other activities. Give back to a local trail organization.

Check out Outside Kind to learn more about this broader effort and how it is being replicated in other communities. Also be sure and take the amusing Outside Kind Quiz, which lets locals and visitors alike test their knowledge about outdoor etiquette and ethics.