The Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) is beginning the process to revise its land management plan, and the recently released Draft Forest Assessment confirms what we have been saying for years — recreation, including motorized use, is a critical part of the Forest’s identity and economy. As the most visited national forest in Wyoming, with the number of registered off-road vehicles in the state doubling between 2005 and 2020, the BTNF has an obligation to meet the needs of a growing recreation community.
The assessment shows clear demand for more motorized opportunities. Currently, 74 percent of the forest is closed to summer motorized use. Another 3 percent of the forest is closed to all recreation simply because it borders the National Elk Refuge. This is not an acceptable balance for a multiple use forest.
Winter recreation is also booming as outfitted use such as snowmobiling, avalanche instruction, and skiing increased by 146 percent between 2013 and 2022. Yet, less than 39 percent of the forest is available for snowmobile use. If the BTNF wants to accommodate current and future use, the new plan must prioritize expanding areas for dispersed camping, e bikes, and snowmobiling. That is what the best available science and user demand are telling us.
The assessment also states that non-motorized areas should be managed to give primitive opportunities. However, many of these lands do not carry a primitive designation. Without that designation, they should not be managed as if they were primitive. The Forest Service also designates 2B areas for motorized recreation, these areas should be expanded, not reduced.
The BTNF already has 1,297,789 acres of designated wilderness, 111,700 acres of wilderness study areas, and 1,417,493 acres of inventoried roadless areas. Wilderness evaluations will occur later in this process, but there should be no new recommended wilderness. Wyoming’s wilderness areas have already been designated, and the existing footprint is more than sufficient.
Access is also at stake. The assessment reports 2,168 miles of road on the forest, but only 1,561 miles are open for public use. Another 998 miles of user created routes exist. The total road system has been shrinking, largely from decommissioning roads no longer used for timber harvest. Maintenance funding is declining, while public demand and costs are rising. The Forest Service admits that road crews can only address a fraction of the maintenance needs each year. Volunteer agreements with local recreation groups should be a top priority to keep these critical access routes open for the public and for fire suppression needs.
The trail system has grown in recent years, but demand is outpacing supply. There is especially high interest in more summer motorized trails, and the assessment itself notes that user specific trails help provide quality recreation experiences while reducing conflict between different user groups. The current forest plan is almost silent on e-bike use and other evolving recreation technology, this must be addressed to give clear guidance for future management.
Finally, this assessment repeatedly references climate change as a driver of management decisions. Many of the executive orders used to justify those references have already been rescinded. The Forest Service must ensure that this planning process complies with the full range of current executive and congressional directives including those that promote access, recreation, and multiple use.
BRC will be engaging heavily in this process to ensure that motorized recreation is not just protected, but expanded, in the new Bridger Teton forest plan. The public has a once in a generation opportunity to shape how this forest is managed. Comments are accepted through August 24, 2025.
