Federal Judge Orders Moab Roads To Remain Closed… For Now

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By Riley Ridge
Staff Writer, The Trailhead Network

A federal judge has upheld the decision to keep 317 miles of roads near Moab, Utah, closed to motorized vehicles, which has sent ripples of frustration through the heart of the off-road advocacy.

Quick Read
  • BLM’s decision aims for balance but faces backlash from off-roaders and Utah state officials.
  • Critics argue closures ignore public input, and historical significance, and violate R.S. 2477.
  • Off-roading community vows to continue legal fight against the BLM’s decision.
  • Utah Legislature passes HB471 in response, emphasizing state and county rights over public road access.

The closure, enacted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), affects over 300,000 acres in the Labyrinth Rims/Gemini Bridges Travel Management Area northwest of Moab. This decision is part of the BLM’s final travel management plan, which aims to balance recreational use with environmental and cultural preservation. However, the closure of 317 miles of previously open routes has been met with staunch opposition from off-roading enthusiasts, who argue that these paths represent some of the region’s most cherished and historically significant trails.

Critics of the BLM’s decision, including the BlueRibbon Coalition and the State of Utah, argue that the closures are a blow to the off-roading community and a stark example of federal overreach. They claim the closures were decided without sufficient regard for public input or the impact on the local off-roading culture and economy. Furthermore, opponents contend that the decision violates R.S. 2477, a 19th-century law that allows for establishing roads on public lands.

Despite the setback, the off-roading community’s fight is far from over. Legal challenges to the BLM’s decision continue, with advocates pushing for a reconsideration that better accommodates motorized recreation while protecting the area’s natural and cultural resources.

The recent legislation passed by the Utah Legislature, HB471: Public Lands Possession Amendments, reflects the state’s support for this cause. This law asserts the state and counties’ rights to maintain access to public roads, challenging any closures deemed to lack due process. This move underscores the deep-seated belief in the right to explore and enjoy public lands, a sentiment that resonates strongly within the off-roading community.

As this story unfolds, the debate over land use and access rights in Moab is a microcosm of a larger national conversation about the balance between recreation and conservation. For off-roaders, the fight for access is not just about preserving trails but safeguarding a way of life that celebrates the spirit of adventure and the freedom to explore the rugged beauty of the American landscape.

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