Forest Service proposal would flip trail access rules to favor motorized use
The Trump administration is proposing to reverse the Forest Service's 'closed unless designated open' policy for off-highway vehicles, making nearly all national forest trails and roads open to motorized recreation by default. Conservation groups and outdoor advocates warn this could harm wildlife habitats and carbon-storing ecosystems. The agency says the change would simplify regulations and expand public access.
The Travel Management Rule, established as a Forest Service policy, currently requires each national forest to maintain detailed travel management plans specifying which trails accommodate motorized vehicles like ATVs, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides versus non-motorized activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. These plans cover roads, two-tracks, and trails across forest lands.
The proposed revision would shift the default stance, meaning forest managers would prioritize motorized access across service roads, trails, and backcountry airfields unless specific closures are enacted. Critics, including Wild Montana's federal policy director Hillary Eisen, describe the announcement as vague and poorly written, warning that without clear guidelines, motorized users could interpret any trail-like feature as open for their use.
This proposal could significantly reshape how millions of Americans experience national forests. Motorized recreationists would gain broader access, potentially boosting rural tourism economies. However, wildlife habitats and carbon-storing ecosystems may face increased disturbance, affecting species that depend on undisturbed forest areas. Non-motorized users—hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers—could find their experiences diminished as trails become shared with vehicles. The rule change may also create administrative challenges for forest managers tasked with designating closures rather than openings, potentially leading to inconsistent enforcement across regions.