In the heart of southern Utah, where red rock canyons meet the shimmering waters of Lake Powell, a battle over public land access has sparked heated debate. The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, spanning 1.25 million acres across Utah and northern Arizona, is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. But a recent decision by Congress to overturn a Biden administration rule banning off-road vehicles (ORVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in certain parts of the park has divided locals, lawmakers, and environmentalists. At the center of this controversy are Utah Senators John Curtis and Mike Lee, who championed the resolution to restore roughly 24 miles of trails in the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit. This move, they argue, is about preserving a way of life for Utahns. However, environmental groups warn that reopening these trails could harm one of the nation’s most pristine landscapes.
The story begins with a rule enacted by the National Park Service in February 2024, following lawsuits from environmental organizations like the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) and the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). The rule closed off-road vehicle access to about 25 miles of trails, including an eight-mile segment of the Poison Spring Loop, and restricted motorized use along Lake Powell’s fragile shorelines. Environmentalists argued that ORVs and ATVs caused significant damage—polluting water, accelerating erosion, disturbing wildlife, and disrupting the quiet experience that draws millions to Glen Canyon each year. With over 250 miles of trails already open to off-road vehicles in the recreation area, they saw the restrictions as a necessary step to protect sensitive areas like the Orange Cliffs, a remote region known for its solitude and untouched beauty.
But for many Utahns, particularly those in rural communities near Glen Canyon, the rule felt like a slap in the face. Off-roading is more than a hobby—it’s a tradition woven into the fabric of life in this rugged part of the state. Families have driven ATVs and dirt bikes along trails near Lake Powell for decades, exploring routes like the Poison Spring Loop and taking in views of Gunsight Butte and the distant Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. When the National Park Service banned ORVs in the Orange Cliffs area, locals saw it as Washington bureaucrats imposing a one-size-fits-all policy that ignored their responsible use of the land.
Enter Senators John Curtis and Mike Lee, both Republicans from Utah, who introduced a resolution to overturn the Biden-era rule. On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed their resolution with a simple majority vote, following the House of Representatives’ approval of companion legislation sponsored by Rep. Celeste Maloy, also a Utah Republican. The resolution now awaits the signature of President Donald Trump, who has signaled support for rolling back conservation measures from the previous administration. For Curtis and Lee, the vote was a victory for public access to public lands. “Utahns have responsibly accessed Glen Canyon for decades, and Washington’s one-size-fits-all restrictions threatened not only that access but also the livelihoods and traditions of rural communities,” Curtis said in a statement. He emphasized that the resolution restores a balance between conservation and recreation, a balance he believes Utahns have long mastered.
Mike Lee took a sharper tone, calling the original rule a “classic case of sue-and-settle policymaking” where federal agencies caved to environmental activists without considering the needs of everyday Americans. “That’s not how representation is supposed to work,” Lee said. He pointed out that Glen Canyon is designated as a national recreation area, not a national park, meaning it should prioritize activities like off-roading. “If it says national recreation area on a map, people should be able to recreate there,” he argued.
The resolution specifically targets the Orange Cliffs Special Management Unit, a remote section of Glen Canyon where the banned trails are located. These 24 miles of park roads, including parts of the Poison Spring Loop, have historically been open to ORVs and ATVs. Supporters of the resolution, like Ben Burr, executive director of the BlueRibbon Coalition, an off-roading advocacy group, cheered the decision. Burr called the vote a “grand reopening of our public lands” and thanked Utah’s congressional delegation for their leadership. “Our members are looking forward to continuing to explore these trails and enjoying their public lands,” he said.
However, environmental groups are sounding the alarm. Hanna Larsen, a staff attorney for SUWA, described the resolution as a blow to the wild places that define southern Utah. “Congress’ actions mean that Orange Cliffs, Gunsight Butte, and Canyonlands National Park’s Maze District will be impaired by noisy, destructive off-highway vehicles,” she said. Larsen argued that the decision undermines the National Park Service’s authority to manage and protect sensitive areas. Erika Pollard, campaign director for the NPCA’s Southwest Region, echoed this sentiment. “The Orange Cliffs is a place of rare solitude and unbelievable beauty that creates the once-in-a-lifetime moments so many come to Glen Canyon to experience,” she said. Pollard stressed that the original rule didn’t close roads to all vehicles—full-size vehicles could still use them, but ORVs and ATVs were restricted to prevent damage to fragile shorelines and ecosystems.
The environmentalists’ concerns are rooted in the unique challenges facing Glen Canyon. Lake Powell, which covers about 13% of the recreation area, is shrinking due to climate change, exposing more land to potential damage from off-road vehicles. The Orange Cliffs area, with its delicate soils and sparse vegetation, is particularly vulnerable to erosion and habitat disruption. Environmental groups also point out that the noise from ORVs can shatter the tranquility that draws hikers, campers, and kayakers to this remote corner of the Southwest. With over 250 miles of trails already available for off-roading, they argue that the additional 24 miles aren’t worth the environmental cost.
The debate over Glen Canyon’s trails is part of a larger tug-of-war over public lands in Utah. The Trump administration has already begun rolling back other Biden-era conservation policies, including protections for national monuments that could open the door to mining and drilling. Just last month, the Interior Department started reviewing these protections, signaling a shift toward prioritizing resource extraction and recreational access over environmental preservation. The resolution to restore off-roading in Glen Canyon fits this pattern, reflecting a broader push to loosen restrictions on public lands.
For rural Utahns, the resolution is about more than just trails—it’s about preserving a way of life. Off-roading supports local economies, drawing tourists who rent ATVs, stay in nearby towns, and buy supplies. Curtis and Lee argue that these communities were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration’s rule, which they say threatened livelihoods without evidence of widespread environmental harm. They point to Utah’s long history of responsible recreation as proof that off-roading and conservation can coexist.
But for those who cherish Glen Canyon’s wild beauty, the resolution is a step backward. “It’s a dark day for all who love southern Utah and Glen Canyon’s wild places,” Larsen said. Environmentalists worry that the decision sets a precedent, encouraging further rollbacks of protections in other national parks and recreation areas. They also question the process behind the original rule, which was the result of legal settlements with SUWA and NPCA. Critics like Lee argue that these settlements bypassed public input, but environmental groups counter that they were necessary to enforce existing laws and protect Glen Canyon’s fragile ecosystems.
As the resolution heads to President Trump’s desk, the future of Glen Canyon’s trails hangs in the balance. For now, Utah’s off-roading community is celebrating a hard-fought win, while environmentalists brace for what they see as a loss for one of America’s most cherished landscapes. The debate is far from over, and it raises bigger questions about how to balance recreation, conservation, and the needs of local communities on public lands. In a place as vast and varied as Glen Canyon, finding that balance may be as challenging as navigating its rugged trails.
