What the Dolores River Travel Plan Could Mean for Trails East of Moab
The BLM Moab Field Office released preliminary route options for the Dolores River Travel Management Plan, covering about 321 miles of routes in Grand County. No comment period is open yet, but now is the time to look at the maps.
If you wheel east of Moab, this one is worth keeping an eye on. On June 22, 2026, the BLM announced that the Moab Field Office released preliminary travel network alternatives for the Dolores River Travel Management Plan.
The basics
- When it is finished, the plan will mark routes as open, limited or closed to off highway vehicles
- It covers about 127,000 acres in Grand County and roughly 321 miles of existing routes
- The BLM said it expects to release a draft environmental assessment for public review and comment in fall or winter 2026
- That June release did not open a comment period. The state's public lands office also lists the status as preliminary alternatives released with no comment period open
The BlueRibbon Coalition, an access group, broke down the four options in the BLM's draft route reports. As they describe it, the area sits just east of Moab and includes a piece of Kokopelli's Trail. Their numbers run from about 197 miles open under the alternative that closes the most, up to about 334 miles open under the alternative that keeps the most routes available.
What it means for you
Nothing changes on the ground until the BLM makes a decision, so keep following the current route designations and signs. When the draft environmental assessment comes out, that is when your comments count. If you have a favorite route out there, look it up on the BLM's maps now so you are ready to speak up for it.
On our trips we always run current maps and stay on designated routes. It keeps everybody legal, and it helps show that wheelers can be trusted with access to these places.
