MAJOR UPDATE Sept. ’25: BLM Proposal to Reopen Closed Trails | Press Release | Action Alert
Taking back our public lands
SAVE MOAB
After the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) closed 800 miles of Utah routes in 2008, anti-access groups weren’t satisfied. They sued the BLM, and in 2017, the BLM settled the lawsuit which required them to reassess over 10,000 miles of trails they already surveyed. By 2023, the the BLM closed another 317 miles of backcountry roads and campsites around Moab’s Labyrinth Rims and Gemini Bridges areas—cutting access to scenic views, dispersed campsites, and world‑class off-road routes.
Promptly after the updated plan was announced in 2023, BlueRibbon Coalition filed a federal court challenge against the closures as a violation of NEPA, the Dingell Act, and other laws with the ultimate goal to reopen these trails and campsites. As of July 2025, we are still awaiting a decision from the courts.
Our work hasn’t stopped over these last two years. The below information is the latest in the fight to take back Moab along with ways on how you can help. Consider a tax-deductible donation that will support our fight to save these cherished lands, which orginally made its mark on the map as the mecca for motorized recreation.
Breaking the Balance
A Map Worth A Thousand Words
Prior to 2008, millions of acres surrounding Moab were already restricted to motorized recreation. Nonetheless, motorized recreation enthusiasts respected those restrictions and cherished the trails that were open.
Since 2008, the clear targeting of off-road trails and free campsites has unbalanced the scale of “well-managed” public land for “multiple-use” recreation as directed by Congress.
The map here shows the hundreds of miles of trails that were closed in the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Plan. Many of the unnamed trails are spur routes that lead to spectacular campsites overlooking canyons.
BlueRibbon Coalition has been part of the fight to keep Moab’s trails open since 2008. We are doubling down on our commitment to fight as long as it takes to reopen these trails!
A timeline of our long-standing fight can be found below.
Moab is For Everyone
More Than 4×4’s
The 2023 route closures in Moab impact more than just 4×4 off-road rigs and UTVs; they also affect dirt bikers, mountain bikers, overlanders, and dispersed camping enthusiasts. Some of Moab’s most iconic trails, scenic viewpoints and unrivaled campsites have been restricted from mechanized recreation.
Notable closures include popular trails such as Hey Joe Canyon, Deadman Point, Dead Cow Loop, Day Canyon Point, Ten Mile Canyon, Hell Roaring Canyon, Mineral Canyon, and several Green River overlooks. Many of these routes were cherished staples for annual off-road club excursions, including events like the Easter Jeep Safari.
Showcasing What’s At Stake
Lost Trails Guidebook Vol. 2
Volume 2 of our Lost Trail Guidebook series features trails threatened with closure in Utah and Arizona— including beloved trails that were closed around Labrynth Ridge & Gemini Bridges in Moab. All proceeds will aid in our fight to keep these trails open— and in some cases— reopen them altogether.
Trails To Be Conquered… Again!
Have you conquered any of these closed —for now— trails? Don’t let them be forgotten. We’ve partnered with All Roads Taken for commemorative, American-made metal vehicle badges to keep the memory of these closed Moab trails alive.
All proceeds from badge sales go directly to BlueRibbon Coalition.
The Heart of Moab
More Than Vehicles
Opening these trails isn’t just for us. The city of Moab was built on off-road recreation. The BLM’s decision to close over 1,000 miles of trails in Utah since 2008 was the culmination of a decade spent signaling hostility towards the tourism economy that keeps Moab in business. Businesses and locals that we rely on for food, rest and service suffered. Many of these businesses have cited the closures and hostility towards off-road recreation enthusiasts as the primary reason.
Moab serves over 3 million tourists each year— with motorized recreation enthusiasts as the primary driver. With a population just over 5,000 residents and an economy deeply rooted in tourism, any dip in visitors will have drastic effects. Our recreation experiences benefit from having a strong community located in the midst of our favorite public lands. So, let’s get these routes open and tell the world Moab is back in business.
What Can We Do?
Don’t Let Them Win
For now, radical environmental groups think they’ve won. Anti-access groups are emboldened and pushing for more closures.
But, we haven’t given up since 2008 and new developments within this administration has put wind in our sails. Reopening these trails would severely weaken their legal standing in other fights. With the recent federal actions, we’re at a critical juncture. Your support gives us the muscle to keep fighting.
A donation or membership today will help fund legal battles, advocacy efforts, and grassroots campaigns to save these unrivaled public lands for future generations.
Utah Grand Reopening T-Shirts
Support our fight to Save Moab with our Grand Reopening Utah T-Shirts. We’ve partnered with Offroad Outfitters for these 4.2 oz. 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton shirts. A great shirt for a great cause!
All proceeds from t-shirt sales go directly to BlueRibbon Coalition.
JEEP
4RUNNER
BRONCO
SxS
DIRT BIKE
About BlueRibbon Coalition
Since 1987, the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) has fought to preserve recreation access to America’s public lands. Serving members in all 50 states, BRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit driven by grassroots energy. We work across all outdoor recreation sectors—4×4, ATV, snowmobiling, UTV, public watercraft, e‑biking, and more—to ensure every adventure is possible .
We’re among the few national groups with a storied history of defending access in court—including a U.S. Supreme Court victory— to preserve recreation on public lands.
Every dollar and membership helps us:
- Investigate and research public land policy & proposals
- Fund lawsuits and legal defense
- Rally grassroots action and cultivate advocates
- Ensure strong representation in rule-making and planning
- Expand trails, dispersed camping, and overall access
Our work is ongoing and encompassing. We’re currently involved in other initiatives, including:
- Challenging route closures in San Rafael Swell
- Challenging route in closures Chuckwalla, California
- Advocating accessibility via the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act
Timeline of Action
Our fight to Save Moab.
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BLM Releases 2008 Moab Resource Management Plan
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finalized the Moab Resource Management Plan (RMP), closing approximately 800 miles of routes (40% of ~2,000 miles inventoried) across the 1.8-million-acre Moab Field Office.
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Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) Files Lawsuit Against BLM RMP
SUWA and other anti-access groups sued the BLM, challenging the 2008 Moab Resource Management Plan (RMP) for inadequate environmental protections, leading to the closure of ~800 miles of routes across the Moab Field Office.
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BlueRibbon Coalition Acts As Defendant Intervenor
BlueRibbon Coalition intervenes in the lawsuit as a defendant-intervenor to support the BLM’s position and defend the 2008 Moab RMP (along with the other challenged plans).
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Settlement Agreement Reached
The BLM, Department of the Interior, environmental groups, and recreation advocates including Blue Ribbon Coalition settled the 2008 lawsuit, mandating revised travel management plans for 11 Utah areas, including Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges TMA, to comply with NEPA and FLPMA.
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BLM Initiates Public Scoping for Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges TMA
The BLM began public scoping to develop a new travel management plan for the 303,993-acre TMA to balance recreation and environmental protection according to settlement.
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BLM Releases Draft Environmental Assessment (EA)
The BLM proposed four alternatives for the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges TMA, ranging from keeping 1,056 miles open to closing up to 437 miles. BlueRibbon Coalition mobilizes public to keep Moab trail open. BLM receives over 10,000 public comments.
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BLM Closes 317.2 Miles of Routes Near Moab
The BLM closed 317.2 miles of routes (28% of 1,128 miles inventoried) to motorized use, citing protection of riparian habitats, wildlife, and cultural resources, with closures effective October 28, 2023.
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BlueRibbon Coalition & State of Utah File Appeals
The BlueRibbon Coalition, alongside Colorado Offroad Trail Defenders and the State of Utah, filed an appeal with the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), alleging the BLM’s 2023 TMA plan violated NEPA, contained mapping errors, ignored public comments, and infringed on R.S. 2477 rights. BRC requested a stay to halt the closures, arguing significant economic […]
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IBLA Denies Stay Requests
The IBLA rejected requests to halt the 317-mile closures pending appeal, keeping the trails closed while legal challenges continued.
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BRC & ORBA File IBLA Appeal
BlueRibbon Coalition, Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) and SEMA file an IBLA appeal, alleging the BLM’s 2023 plan violated NEPA by failing to provide adequate public review and ignoring cumulative recreational impacts. The IBLA agreed to hear the appeal, with litigation ongoing as of July 2025, but no final ruling has been issued.
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Federal Judge Upholds Closures
A federal judge denied a preliminary injunction sought by motorized groups, including those aligned with BRC, affirming the BLM’s 2023 closures, with SUWA intervening to defend the decision. The ruling was a setback for the BRC, but their IBLA appeal (January 2024) continued separately.
Now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. Your continued support allows us to continue our fight to Save Moab.
Articles & Action Alerts
Latest Moab Updates
How To Submit Meaningful Moab Comments to Reopen Closed Trails: Due October 24th!
Recently, the Bureau of Land Management announced that they would be reassessing a substantial portion of the routes that were closed in Moab’s Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges...
Victory for Public Access: 200 Miles of Moab Bike Trails Now Open to Class 1 E-Bikes
Today, we get to celebrate another major win in the Grand Reopening of our public lands. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has officially opened over 200...
Support the Grand Reopening of our Off-Road Trails in Moab
How do you make a substantial comment? Read our primer here. The Bureau of Land Management has released a proposal to reassess to re-open routes in the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini...