Arkansas was the first to adopt the purple paint law back in 1989, and now over 20 states, including Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina, follow similar practices. The purple color stands out against natural backgrounds, making it ideal for catching a hiker’s or hunter’s eye.

The law helps protect property without damaging trees with nails or signs. When marking land, people are advised to use specific paint types—avoiding oil-based options on trees—and follow spacing guidelines to clearly define the boundary. If you’re exploring rural areas or unfamiliar regions, spotting these painted markers could save you from unintentionally trespassing, or worse, getting fined.