PRESS RELEASE: BlueRibbon Coalition and State of Utah Secure Major Milestone: BLM Announces Proposal to Reopen 160 Miles of Iconic Moab Trails Following Years of Litigation

#FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE#

BlueRibbon Coalition and State of Utah Secure Major Milestone: BLM Announces Proposal to Reopen 160 Miles of Iconic Moab Trails Following Years of Litigation

Salt Lake City, UT – September 24, 2025 – In a major step forward for public lands access and outdoor recreation enthusiasts nationwide, the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), and the State of Utah today are encouraged by the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) announcement to reassess the closure of 160 miles of cherished backcountry routes in the Moab area. This decision, stemming directly from a multi-year legal battle, restores vital access to world-class off-road trails, scenic overlooks, and dispersed camping spots in the Labyrinth Rims and Gemini Bridges Travel Management Areas (TMAs)—areas long revered as the mecca of motorized recreation.

The announcement marks the next step forward in an extensive legal odyssey that began over a decade ago. In 2008, the BLM’s Resource Management Plan for the Moab area shuttered approximately 800 miles of routes, representing 40% of the routes in the area. Anti-access groups, led by The Wilderness Society and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), sued the BLM for not closing enough routes, culminating in a 2017 settlement that mandated reassessments of over 10,000 miles of trails across the state of Utah. Despite overwhelming support from the recreation users and the State of Utah to keep these trails open, the BLM’s 2023 decision closed an additional 317 miles of routes, effective October 28, 2023.

Together with the Colorado Offroad Trail Defenders, and represented by attorneys from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the BlueRibbon Coalition challenged the closures in federal court.

Today’s announcement proposes to reopen 50% of the closed routes, including popular routes like Hey Joe Canyon, Deadman Point, Dead Cow Loop, Day Canyon Point, Hell Roaring Canyon, Mineral Canyon, key Green River overlooks, and many other backcountry access routes. These trails sustain not just 4x4s, UTVs, and dirt bikes, but also mountain bikers, overlanders, hikers, BASE Jumpers, and campers, while bolstering Moab’s annual influx of 3 million visitors and supporting its recreation economy. The BLM proposes to reevaluate the closed routes, and after this reevaluation process, they will determine which of these routes should be reopened. Popular routes like Tenmile Wash is not on the list for reevaluation along with many others, and the BLM is accepting public comment on this reassessment proposal for 30 days.

“Everyone who loves to recreate on public lands should be supporting this reassessment,” said Matt Miller, Senior Attorney at Texas Public Policy Foundation, the law firm that led the case. “After years of closures and courtroom battles, we’re proving that persistence pays off. These trails aren’t just dirt paths—they’re the lifeblood of American adventure, and today’s announcement opens the door to a resolution of our concerns.”

The optimism is tempered by resolve, as anti-access organizations are sure to challenge any reopenings in court. Anti-access wilderness advocates, emboldened by prior wins in the previous administration, are poised to file lawsuits alleging insufficient environmental safeguards—a tactic they’ve employed since 2008 to chip away at access.

“We’ve weathered their storms before, and we’ll do it again,” affirmed Ben Burr, Executive Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition. “The pending reversal of these closures weakens their playbook across the West. But the fight for public lands never truly ends. With supporters and members like ours, we’ll defend every mile of our trails, every campsite, and every cherished experience for future explorers.”

BRC calls on the off-road community, local businesses, and public lands advocates to stay engaged. Donations and memberships fuel ongoing efforts, including submitting feedback on the current proposal, monitoring implementation, and preparing for inevitable counter-litigation. Visit blueribboncoalition.org to join the momentum.

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About BlueRibbon Coalition

Since 1987, the BlueRibbon Coalition has championed recreation access on America’s public lands through grassroots advocacy, legal defense, and policy expertise. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving all 50 states, BRC unites 4×4, ATV, snowmobile, UTV, watercraft, and e-bike enthusiasts to ensure every adventure endures. With a storied record—including a U.S. Supreme Court victory—BRC investigates policies, funds lawsuits, rallies action, and expands trails for all. Learn more at blueribboncoalition.org.