The Bureau of Land Management is once again reviewing off-highway vehicle route designations across portions of Central Utah, reopening debate over access in two of the state’s most iconic backcountry regions: the San Rafael Swell and the San Rafael Desert. The agency announced this week that it is seeking public comment on whether certain routes currently marked as closed or limited should be reopened to motorized use.
The move could impact hundreds of miles of trails across the red rock landscapes surrounding Green River, Emery County, and the greater San Rafael Recreation Area. For UTV and OHV enthusiasts, the reassessment represents one of the most significant public land access discussions in Utah in recent years.
What the BLM Is Considering
According to the BLM, officials are reevaluating approximately 226 miles of routes within the San Rafael Swell Travel Management Area that were previously designated as closed or limited to OHV use. Another 20 miles of routes in the San Rafael Desert are also under reconsideration.
The agency emphasized that all current route designations remain in effect during the reassessment process. No trails have been reopened yet, but the new review could eventually lead to amendments to existing travel management plans.
The San Rafael Swell Travel Management Plan, finalized in late 2024, designated approximately:
- 1,355 miles of routes open to OHV travel
- 141 miles limited to certain vehicle types or uses
- 665 miles closed to OHVs
Meanwhile, the San Rafael Desert plan currently includes roughly:
- 600 miles open to OHV use
- 47 miles limited
- 534 miles closed
The reassessment follows continued pressure from counties, OHV advocacy groups, and lawsuits challenging portions of the original travel management decisions.
Why the San Rafael Swell Matters
The San Rafael Swell is one of Utah’s premier off-road destinations, stretching across more than a million acres of rugged canyon country between Green River and Hanksville. Known for towering sandstone cliffs, winding washes, mining roads, and remote desert scenery, the area has long been a favorite for UTV exploration, overlanding, rock crawling, camping, and adventure travel.
Popular routes throughout the region provide access to areas like Eagle Canyon, Devils Racetrack, Fix-It Pass, Behind the Reef Road, and countless remote overlooks and historic mining sites. The area also contains sensitive cultural resources, wildlife habitat, wilderness study areas, and fragile desert ecosystems, making route management especially controversial.
Interstate 70 cuts directly through the Swell, offering easy access to one of the most visually dramatic landscapes in the West.
OHV Advocates Push for Reopening Routes
Organizations supporting motorized recreation say many of the closures removed long-used access routes that connected trail systems, campsites, and recreational destinations. Groups including the BlueRibbon Coalition and the Utah Public Lands Alliance argue that some closures affected roads that had been responsibly used for decades.
Advocacy groups are encouraging riders to submit detailed comments identifying specific route numbers, historic use, recreational value, and access concerns. They argue that public participation could heavily influence whether routes are eventually reopened.
Public Comment Period Open Through June 8
The BLM is accepting public comments through June 8, 2026. Riders, landowners, recreation groups, conservation organizations, and local communities can submit comments through the agency’s online ePlanning portals or by mail.
Officials specifically requested route-specific comments whenever possible, including trail numbers and details regarding access needs, recreation opportunities, or resource concerns.
For Utah’s off-road community, the outcome could shape future access throughout one of the most important OHV regions in the Southwest. Whether you ride a UTV, dirt bike, ATV, or full-size 4×4, the reassessment could determine which routes remain accessible for years to come.
How You Can Make a Difference
BLM Proposes Reopening Closed OHV Routes in San Rafael Swell & Desert
A Second Chance for Reopening Closures in the San Rafael Swell and Desert
The post BLM Reconsiders OHV Route Closures in Utah’s San Rafael Swell and Desert appeared first on UTV Guide.
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