Reservations & Group Use Policies

Group Use Policies

• Leave No Trace (LNT). Leave the area better than you found it.
• Remove all markers, flagging tape, MRE waste, brass, etc.
• Everyone should be personally responsible for picking up their own trash.
• Fires must be completely extinguished and unburned wood dispersed. No fires under trees, on trails, or cutting of live trees.
• Human waste needs to be buried following LNT best practices and at least 200 feet from water sources and trails.
• Shelters must be torn down and dispersed when done.
• Training activities need to be quiet from 10 p.m.-6 a.m.
• Do not block trails for other users.
• You will have 24 hours after the completion of your event to get all equipment and trash off the mountain. Failure to do so will incur a minimum fine of $250 for your organization.

Use of Motorized Vehicles

• Vehicles used on Norwich University Forest must be authorized by the Director of Recreation and are to be used only for official and approved training purposes to move resources and sustainment.
• Use of vehicles outside of an approved training or event is prohibited and will incur loss of privileges for your group.
• Full-sized vehicles are not permitted on the Red Trail past the Facility Operations shed.
• Snowmobiles, ATV, UTV, and Side by Side (SxS) use on the mountain must be mentioned in your reservation request.
• Snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, and Side by Side (SxS) use is prohibited on Town of Northfield Property and trails.
• Request for gate access at Slate Ave, Byam Hill, and Dole Hill needs to go through NU Public Safety
• Vehicular access to Cheney Field (Town of Northfield property) needs to be approved by the Northfield Town Manager.
• Damage done to the trails or double tracks due to vehicular use will be repaired at your group’s expense.  If multiple groups/vehicles are involved, the repair cost will be divided equally.
• Snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, and SxSs are not allowed on the single-track hiking/biking trails. They are allowed only on the double track trails (Red, around the Quarry, and the access trail by the paintball shed that leads to the Red trail)
• Speed limit of 5 MPH on the mountain.
• Snowmobile and ATV riders must wear helmets.
• You may not exceed the manufacturer's rated capacity of the vehicle.
• You may not load people into the vehicle's bed or in a trailer.
• Vehicles must yield to all trail users.
• If you are planning to use a Snowmobile, ATV, or SxS for medical evacuation, please contact and schedule NUEMS, as they have an ATV and trailer that can support the safe transport of a patient.
• Any accidents or injuries involving vehicle use must be reported to NU Public Safety.
• Non-Norwich University personally owned vehicles are required to be properly registered and insured.
• Failure to comply with these policies will result in immediate termination of privileges and may result in additional disciplinary action in accordance with the Norwich University Student Rules and Regulations.

Northfield Town Forest Policies

• Camping and fires are not permitted. Special permission can be granted by the Northfield town manager. Minimum two weeks prior to FTX. The SOC Director can help connect you.
• Human waste needs to be packed out. Permitted groups camping on Cheney Field will need to provide portable toilets for the event at their own expense.
• No cutting down trees.
• No shelter building.
• No camping or off-trail activities above the pinch point on Northfield Town property (see attached map).
• Leave no trace.