<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>This story, originally published by</em> <a href="https://grist.org/regulation/trump-wants-to-open-nearly-all-national-forest-trails-to-dirt-bikes-and-atvs/">Grist</a> <em>in collaboration with</em><em><em> </em><a href="https://montanafreepress.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Montana Free Press</em></a><em>/</em><a href="https://mountainjournal.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Mountain Journal</em></a><em> as part of the </em><a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Report for America Local News Initiative</em></a>, <em>is reproduced here as part of the</em> <a href="http://www.climatedesk.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Climate Desk</a> <em>collaboration.</em></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><span class="section-lead">There are many</span> ways to enjoy the outdoors, but thrill-seekers visiting the nation’s national forests often turn to motorized recreation. They might ride ATVs along dirt trails, snowmobile down winding tracks, or go off-roading in 4x4s. The United States Forest Service’s approach to all such forms of recreation on trails can be summed up in four words: closed unless designated open.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Unless a trail is explicitly designated as open to off-highway vehicles, such as side-by-sides and dirt bikes, it can only be used for nonmotorized recreation. Most national forests have travel management plans that outline when a trail is open for nonmotorized use like mountain biking, horseback riding, or hiking, and when it’s open to off-highway vehicles. These plans tend to be exhaustive and list which types of motorized or nonmotorized access are allowed on every trail, two-track, and road. The strict guidelines are a result of a Forest Service policy called the travel management rule.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In late August, the Forest Service announced its plan to revise the rule so that trails are open unless designated closed. This change would mean forest managers would be expected to prioritize motorized access on service roads, trails, and even backcountry airfields.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The US Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Forest Service, stated that the move will <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/24/2026-17211/travel-management-national-forest-system-lands" rel="noopener" target="_blank">increase recreation access and “simplify regulatory requirements</a>.” However, this change has faced opposition from sportsmen, backcountry horsemen, conservation organizations, and nonmotorized recreation groups, who argue that opening all Forest Service trails to motorized access could negatively impact ecosystems and wildlife.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“I’m totally OK with appropriate machine use in the forest. But there are just places where the ecosystem is too sensitive.”</p></blockquote></figure>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Hillary Eisen, the federal policy director for Wild Montana, expressed concerns about the vagueness of the Forest Service’s announcement, stating that without clear guidelines, motorized users could end up anywhere on the landscape. She emphasized that any feature that could be interpreted as a trail or road might be open to all types of use unless explicitly closed.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Chris Edgington, a watershed project manager with Montana Trout Unlimited, highlighted the environmental damage caused by off-highway vehicle use on the Middle Fork of the Judith River in Montana. He noted that excessive vehicle crossings led to erosion and sediment buildup, harming fish populations.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Edgington collaborated with various groups to address these issues, successfully restoring parts of the river and improving fish populations. He cautioned that a full repeal of the travel management rule could create significant problems for river health and restoration projects.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“This is public land, and people with disabilities, the elderly, need some sort of transportation to get out there.”</p></blockquote></figure>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Forest Service is currently accepting <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document/FS-2026-0100-0001" rel="noopener" target="_blank">public comments on the plan to revise the rule</a> through September 23. These proposed revisions are part of broader policy changes affecting the 193 million acres of land managed by the Forest Service.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Eisen pointed out that the roadless rule, which prevents road building and commercial logging on certain Forest Service land, is also under review. She noted that public backlash has prompted the Forest Service to extend the comment period for the roadless rule until October 6.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Supporters of the proposed changes, such as Kerry White from Citizens for Balanced Use, argue that making trails open unless designated closed would enhance recreational opportunities. White emphasized the need for better access for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, Eisen cautioned that these changes coincide with a broader rollback of environmental protections under the Trump administration. She expressed concern that the administration does not value the foundational principles of public land management.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Edgington reiterated the importance of maintaining thoughtful regulations to balance forest use and protect resources. He expressed concern that lifting protections could undermine conservation efforts funded by taxpayer dollars.</p>