Forest Service Opens Comment on Travel Management Rewrite Favoring More Motorized Access
On August 24, 2026, USDA Forest Service published a Federal Register notice of intent to revise travel management toward a national presumption that existing roads, trails, and access points stay open unless closed for documented reasons. Comments were due September 23, 2026.
Maya TorresAug 24, 2026 · Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 6 min read
On August 24, 2026, the USDA Forest Service published a Federal Register notice of intent (91 FR 54686, Document 2026-17211) to prepare an environmental impact statement and revise 36 CFR part 212 travel management rules for National Forest System lands.
The proposed policy direction would establish a national presumption that existing roads, trails, and access points are open to appropriate public use unless closed for documented reasons — flipping the long-familiar closed-unless-open framing many dual-sport and OHV riders navigate on Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs).
Importantly for weekend planners: current MVUMs remain in effect until revised. The notice of intent does not instantly reopen every dotted line on last year’s GPS track log. Riders still must follow the MVUM in force for the forest they ride.
Written comments were due by September 23, 2026, under Docket FS-2026-0100. The action follows Executive Order 14408, which rescinded older off-road vehicle executive orders. Regional coverage (including Wyoming Public Media) framed the proposal as potentially expanding motorized and e-bike access, with expected pushback from wilderness stakeholders and support from motorized-access coalitions.
Trail Roamer’s practical takeaway for dual-sport riders: (1) comment on the docket while it is open, (2) keep downloading current MVUM PDFs the week you ride, and (3) treat social-media “it’s always been open” claims as non-authoritative. Street-legal plates do not unlock non-motorized singletrack.
Pair this story with any Roadless Rule coverage in your feed — that is a separate August 2026 USDA proposal with its own comment deadline and does not itself rewrite MVUM designations overnight.
Sources
- Travel Management; National Forest System Lands (91 FR 54686) — Federal Register · accessed 2026-09-04
- Latest Trump Move Could Mean More E-Bikes and ATVs in National Forests — Wyoming Public Media · accessed 2026-09-04
FAQ
- Does this immediately reopen closed trails?
- No. The notice of intent starts an EIS/rulemaking process. Existing MVUMs stay in effect until a forest revises them under the eventual rule.
- Where do I comment?
- Federal Register materials point to Docket FS-2026-0100, with written comments due September 23, 2026 (per the August 24, 2026 notice).
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