For decades, Moab’s trail system provided access to world-class riding, camping, and exploration across southeastern Utah. In recent years, sweeping land management decisions have eliminated that access by closing hundreds of miles of routes that supported generations of recreationists and local traditions.
The movement to Save Moab exists because of what has already been lost — and what is still at risk of disappearing forever.
What Has Been Lost
- Iconic motorized trails such as Dead Cow Loop and Tenmile Wash, cutting off historic dirt bike riding routes that defined the Moab experience for generations.
- Spur roads to canyon-rim campsites along the Green River, restricting access for overlanders and families who relied on these routes to responsibly enjoy public lands.
- Developed backcountry camping areas, including sites near Slicksides Arch, where public and volunteer investments were rendered unusable by road closures.
- Hundreds of miles of exploratory and connector routes, essential for navigation, access, and dispersed recreation.
- Hundreds of miles of established rights-of-way, formally claimed by the State of Utah, that were removed from public use.
If these routes are not reopened, they face permanent obliteration or reclamation—ending access not just temporarily, but for good.
An All-Of-Government Strategy to Reopen Moab
Ensuring long-term access to Moab’s trails requires fighting at all levels of government, and that is exactly what we’re doing at BlueRibbon Coalition. We are the only organization leading the fight to reopen these trails simultaneously through the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government.
1. Executive Branch: Holding Federal Agencies Accountable
From the beginning, the closures have been challenged through the Bureau of Land Management’s own administrative processes. Recently, the BLM announced it would reassess the routes that were closed.
Thousands of substantive public comments were submitted in response—demonstrating overwhelming support for reopening access to Moab’s public lands. This reassessment represents a real opportunity for the current Administration to correct course and restore access.
2. Judicial Branch: Prepared to Defend Access in Court
A legal challenge to the closures has been underway since day one. That case is currently paused to allow the BLM’s reassessment process to move forward. But we remain ready to resume this challenge if needed.
If routes are reopened, it is likely that anti-access groups will attempt to block that decision through litigation. There is clear precedent for subverting this inevitable challenge: During the Biden Administration, reassessments in the San Rafael Desert resulted in over 100 miles of routes being closed, a process those same groups defended as legitimate at the time.
If reassessments are acceptable when they lead to closures, they must also be acceptable when they lead to reopening routes. We are prepared to respond to any legal action that could lead to the long term closure of these routes.
3. Legislative Branch: Protecting Routes Permanently
Administrative decisions can change. Court rulings can be appealed. The most durable solution is Congressional action.
Recent momentum in the U.S. Senate—including hearings on the Historic Roadways Protection Act—signals growing recognition that long-standing routes deserve permanent protection. This legislation would safeguard historic backcountry roads in Utah and prevent future unilateral closures.
Leading on Every Front
There are multiple paths to reopening Moab’s routes and reopening them for good. BlueRibbon Coalition is leading the way on every one of them:
- Administrative advocacy with federal agencies
- Active and ready litigation
- Congressional engagement for lasting legislative protection
No other organization is advancing all three strategies at once.
Momentum is shifting, but the outcome is not guaranteed. Being prepared for every scenario is essential.
Year-End Support to Keep the Fight Moving Forward
As the year comes to a close, support is critical to sustaining this multi-front effort. A year-end fundraising goal of $25,000 will directly fund continued legal, administrative, and legislative work to restore access in Moab.
To encourage participation, from now until the end of 2025:
- Supporters can receive DOUBLE entries to win a custom Dead Cow Loop Edition GasGas EX 300
- A limited supply of Save Moab hats is available and will be included as a free gift while supplies last
Saving Moab Is About the Future
This effort is not about expanding access—it’s about keeping historic access alive. These routes have existed for decades and have been responsibly used by generations of Americans.
If you believe Moab’s trails should remain open for future generations, your support makes that possible.
Together, these routes can be saved.
SUPPORT OUR LEGAL CENTER
Our legal work is possible because of individual members and supporters like you. With your support, we were able to hire our first full-time attorney last year—leading to the most impactful period of legal success in our organization’s history. Your backing has empowered us to win critical battles for public access, but there’s more to challenge and anti-access groups continue to file lawsuits at an unprecedented rate. Continued support ensures we have the legal strength to defend our rights and keep our public lands open.
