From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed reopening approximately 246 miles of trails for motorized access of the iconic San Rafael Swell and San Rafael Desert travel management areas in Utah. It's critical right now that the motorized off-road community advocate for reopening routes that were closed or restricted in previous travel management plans (TMPs).
- Click here to review the BLM's proposed travel management plans (TMP) for the San Rafael Swell and San Rafael Desert and click here to submit a comment to the agency by June 8, 2026.
The San Rafael Swell in South Central Utah is one of the most beloved motorized recreation areas in the country. People come from all over the country to ride, camp, explore, race, overland and experience a part of the West that still offers a true backcountry recreation experience. The area also supports local businesses, tourism, events and rural communities that rely on outdoor recreation.
Like many public land areas across the West, the Swell also presents real management challenges. Balancing recreation access, conservation concerns, cultural resources and increasing visitation is not simple, and that balance is exactly what travel management planning is intended to address.
ORBA and SEMA commend the BLM for revisiting previous route decisions in the TMPs. The agency's efforts to reopen these trails for motorized access reinforce something that many in the off-road community sometimes forget: land management processes are ongoing, and public participation will help to shape the outcome.
Travel management decisions increasingly shape where people can ride, recreate and hold events on public land. These plans have long-term impacts on recreational access and the businesses and communities connected to it. Accordingly, it is important for recreation users, clubs, race organizations, businesses and advocates to stay engaged and participate in these discussions when opportunities arise. Constructive public input that is respectful, route-specific and grounded in actual recreation use helps BLM and other agencies better understand how these areas are being used and why they matter.
The off-road community has always been strongest when it combines advocacy with stewardship. Most riders and recreation users understand that continued access depends on responsible use, strong partnerships and staying involved in the process.
ORBA and SEMA support balanced, practical land management approaches that recognize both the importance of protecting public lands and the value of continued motorized recreation access.
The San Rafael Swell is an important recreation area, and this comment period gives the public another opportunity to help shape its future.
