The country northwest of Moab between Highway 191 and the Green River is some of the prettiest wheeling around, and a lot of folks were disappointed when routes there closed in 2023. Here is where things stand.

What the BLM is doing

On September 24, 2025, the BLM Moab Field Office announced it is reassessing route designations in the Labyrinth and Gemini Bridges Travel Management Area. In particular, it is looking at whether some routes now closed or limited to off highway vehicles should be changed to open.

  • Under the 2023 plan, the BLM designated about 700 miles of routes open, about 100 miles limited and about 300 miles closed
  • The public comment period ran from September 24 to October 24, 2025
  • All 2023 route designations stay in effect during the review. If the BLM decides changes are needed, it will issue a new decision amending the plan

Local support

The Moab Times reported that the Grand County Commission voted 4 to 3 on October 21 to send a letter supporting the review. The county's volunteer Motorized Trail Committee listed 38 routes as priorities to reopen, reroute or open seasonally, including Dead Cow Loop, Tenmile Canyon, Hey Joe Canyon and Hell Roaring Canyon. The paper also noted the vote was split, and some commissioners wanted certain canyons kept closed because of riparian and cultural resources.

The Moab Times said the BLM had not released a timeline for any changes, and the state's public lands office still lists the plan as under reassessment with comments closed.

Our take

We would love to see some of those classic routes back, done in a way that protects the canyons. Until the BLM issues a new decision, stick to the 2023 route map. Driving a closed route is the fastest way to lose the argument for reopening it.

Planning a trip up toward Gemini Bridges? We run current maps and can build a private day around what is open right now.