The Dirty Mule atlas grows when wheelers contribute. If you know a trail or place that should be on the map, submit it.
How to suggest
From the main atlas page, click Suggest a place [VERIFY exact button label]. A form opens for:
- Name — the trail or place name. Use the locally-known name where possible.
- Type — trail, campsite, fuel, food, lodging, water, viewpoint, caution (hazard worth noting), or other.
- Location — coordinates (or address; the system geocodes addresses)
- Description — a paragraph or two. What’s it like? What kind of vehicle handles it? Any seasonality?
- Photos — at least one is strongly encouraged; a contribution with photos is much more likely to be approved.
What happens after submission
Your suggestion goes to a moderation queue. An admin reviews:
- Is the location accurate and on a publicly accessible spot?
- Is the description specific and useful?
- Are the photos legitimate (not from elsewhere)?
- Does it duplicate something already in the atlas?
Outcomes:
- Approved — appears in the public atlas, attributed to you. You get a notification and the “trails contributed” stat ticks up.
- Approved with edits — same as above, but admin tweaked something (typo, formatting, etc.).
- Rejected — usually for missing info, duplicate of an existing entry, or location/photos that can’t be verified. You’re notified with a brief reason.
- On hold — admin wants more info. You’re asked to add detail or clarification.
Tips for getting your suggestion approved
- Be specific about location. Drop a pin or paste coordinates — addresses are less reliable for remote spots.
- Photos help massively. One photo of the access road or the campsite establishes legitimacy.
- Describe access. What kind of vehicle can get there? What’s the surface like? Are there seasonal closures?
- Don’t over-promote. Stick to factual description. Marketing language (“absolutely epic!!!”) makes the admin work harder to figure out what’s actually going on.
What not to suggest
- Private property without permission
- Closed or off-limits trails
- Locations the local community has asked to keep off public maps
- Places you haven’t actually been (and can’t verify firsthand)
Editing a contribution after approval
Once approved, you can suggest edits from the trail or place page itself. Same moderation flow.