Plan Your Visit
Park Rules & Safety
Know the rules before you arrive. MERUS is a remote, shared-use adventure park where conditions can change quickly. Review the requirements for your activity and follow all posted signs and staff instructions.
Rules reviewed Operating conditions and staff instructions can change after a printed or saved copy is created.
Conditions and emergencies
Emergency planning
Stable park rules appear below. Use this information to prepare, and call 911 immediately for a life-threatening emergency.
Immediate danger or medical emergency
Call 911
Give the dispatcher the MERUS address, then notify park staff if it is safe to do so.
MERUS Adventure Park4510 County Road 9
Claude, TX 79019
At check-in, confirm the current park radio channel. Never delay a 911 call while trying to reach staff.
Contact the Park OfficeA weather forecast alone never confirms whether MERUS roads, park areas, or trails are open. If MERUS publishes an emergency update, it appears here and takes priority. View nearby weather and travel resources.
Prepare before you arrive
Complete these steps before your group leaves home. Product-specific instructions in a reservation, course, rental, or event may add requirements.
-
Confirm access & bookings
Applies to: Everyone
Review your booking and confirm the entry passes, reservations, and check-in instructions required for every person, vehicle, and activity in your visit.
-
Complete every waiver
Applies to: Everyone, including children and passengers
Every visitor must have a completed waiver before entering. A parent or legal guardian must complete the waiver for any participant under 18. Use the link in your booking confirmation or complete it at the Park Office.
-
Check current conditions
Applies to: Everyone
Recheck park access, trail access, the arrival road, weather, and current fire restrictions before leaving home.
-
Meet activity requirements
Applies to: Drivers, hikers, bikers, campers, and event guests
Review the requirements for your planned activity, lodging, rental, course, or event. General park rules do not replace product-specific instructions.
-
Save maps & communication plans
Applies to: Backcountry and trail users
Save the latest available guide or map for offline use. Bring the communication equipment required for your activity and confirm the current park radio channel at check-in.
-
Prepare for a remote environment
Applies to: Everyone
Bring adequate drinking water, food, fuel, sun protection, weather layers, medications, and safety equipment for your group and route.
Vehicles & required gear
Vehicle requirements apply to the activity and boundary shown below. Contact MERUS before traveling if you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies.
Applies to: Vehicles entering the 4×4 trail system
4×4 trail eligibility
Most 4×4 trails require a true four-wheel-drive vehicle with a low-range transfer case. AWD vehicles are accepted only by exception when lifted and equipped with off-road tires and recovery points and operated by experienced drivers.
Applies to: Every 4×4 trail vehicle
Required safety equipment
Carry a working GMRS radio, a working fire extinguisher, and a current paper or offline digital MERUS park trail map in every vehicle entering the 4×4 trail system. Confirm the current radio channel at check-in.
Applies to: Every guest trail vehicle
Vehicle standards
Carry proof of current liability insurance. Vehicles must have a muffled exhaust; straight pipes and open headers are not allowed. Maximum tire size is 43 inches. Custom full-size vehicles and buggies must have a firewall; contact MERUS before bringing a custom build.
Applies to: General public and member visits
Guest vehicles not permitted
Motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs and side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and golf carts are not permitted as guest trail vehicles. Full-size vehicles are required.
Plan to recover your own vehicle Applies to: 4×4 trail vehicles
- MERUS is a self-recovery park. Carry recovery equipment appropriate for your vehicle and chosen route.
- Staff assistance may be available when conditions and staffing allow; fees may apply.
- Contact MERUS for recovery assistance and follow staff instructions.
Shared-use trail safety
On the trails
Drivers, hikers, bikers, and runners share a remote trail system. Slow down, communicate, and choose routes conservatively.
Applies to: Drivers, hikers, bikers, and runners
Stay on designated routes
Stay on designated trails and activity areas. Do not create new routes or bypass obstacles unless MERUS has explicitly designated an area for that use. Never enter a closed area, and follow posted signs and staff instructions.
Applies to: Motorized trail users
Slow down & yield
The park-wide maximum is 20 mph. Slow to 5 mph when passing hikers, bikers, or runners, yield to nonmotorized users, and minimize dust.
Applies to: All trail users
Use trails only during trail hours
Trails close at 10:00 PM. No night wheeling is allowed after 10:00 PM. Closures and temporary access limits may begin earlier when conditions require.
Applies to: All trail users
Choose within your ability
Match the route to your experience, vehicle or equipment, weather, and group. A saved rating or map is planning guidance; current conditions can make a route more difficult.
Applies to: Bicyclists using electric assistance
E-bike eligibility
Pedal-assist e-bikes must be primarily pedal powered. Fully electric e-bikes are not permitted. Confirm current route eligibility before arrival.
Campground & visitor conduct
MERUS is a family-friendly working ranch and shared recreation space. Location-specific signs and staff instructions take priority.
Applies to: Everyone
Family-friendly conduct
Be courteous to guests, staff, neighboring landowners, and wildlife. Aggressive or lewd behavior, inappropriate language, public intoxication, vandalism, and unsafe conduct are not permitted.
Applies to: Members
Membership access
Do not share membership access cards or codes. Membership access applies only to the qualifying family members and caregiver covered by that membership, and every person still needs a completed waiver. Contact MERUS before bringing a guest who is not included in your membership.
Applies to: Everyone
Quiet hours, alcohol & drugs
Quiet hours begin at 10:00 PM. Alcohol is not permitted on trails or during driving activities, and open alcohol is not permitted in vehicles or public parking areas. Illegal drug use is not permitted anywhere in the park. Follow the current location-specific alcohol rules posted for campsites, events, the Cantina, and the Silo.
Applies to: Guests bringing dogs
Dogs
Keep dogs leashed and under your full control, clean up all waste, and never leave a dog unattended in a cabin. Book only a cabin identified as pet-friendly.
Applies to: Recreational and commercial drone operators
Drones
Do not fly over campsites. Follow all FAA requirements and confirm the current permitted takeoff and flight areas before use. Professional or commercial photography and video require prior written permission from MERUS.
Applies to: Guests bringing or participating with firearms
Firearms
Follow all posted notices, applicable law, and current MERUS staff instructions. Contact the Park Office before arrival if you have questions about firearms or an authorized hunting activity.
Fire, weather & canyon stewardship
Treat the baseline rules below as minimum requirements. A current restriction or closure may be stricter.
Applies to: Everyone
Fire rule
Wood, charcoal, and other live-fuel fires are prohibited. Propane cooktops and propane fire pits are allowed only when current park conditions permit. Confirm the fire status with staff before use.
Applies to: Everyone
Weather & closures
Weather can make roads, trails, and park areas unsafe. MERUS may close or limit access until conditions improve. Recheck before travel and follow staff and posted closure instructions onsite.
Applies to: Everyone
Protect the canyon
Do not feed or approach wildlife. Do not collect or damage plants, animals, rocks, timber, artifacts, relics, or natural and cultural features. Pack out all trash, leftover food, pet waste, and hygiene products. Follow the current human-waste instructions provided by park staff.
Emergency, breakdown & recovery
Cell service can be unreliable. Keep this address and the current radio protocol with your group, and never delay a 911 call for an immediate emergency.
- Call 911 for immediate danger For an immediate medical, fire, or safety emergency, call 911 first.
- Give the MERUS address Tell the dispatcher: MERUS Adventure Park, 4510 County Road 9, Claude, Texas 79019.
- Notify park staff if it is safe Call the Park Office or use the current radio channel provided at check-in. Do not delay a 911 call while trying to reach staff.
- Follow onsite instructions Follow staff directions, posted closures, and emergency instructions. Do not enter a closed road, trail, or park area.
Breakdown or stuck vehicle
MERUS is a self-recovery park. Carry recovery equipment appropriate for your vehicle and route.
Contact MERUS staff for recovery assistance. Assistance depends on conditions and staffing, and fees may apply.
Call (806) 944-5393Final check before leaving home
- Correct passes, reservations, and check-in plan confirmed
- Every visitor waiver completed
- Activity and vehicle eligibility confirmed
- Required communication and safety equipment packed
- Available guides or maps saved for offline use
- Current park, road, trail, weather, and fire conditions rechecked
Printed and saved copies can become outdated. Recheck the web page and current MERUS instructions before each visit.
Unsure about a rule or your equipment?
Contact MERUS before you travel. The team can help you confirm vehicle eligibility, activity requirements, and current operating instructions.
