Read Our Letter to the Department of the Interior and Elected Officials

 Learn More Details and Add Your Name to Take Action by Visiting BlueRibbon Coalition’s Action Alert

Significant progress has been made toward preserving access to BLM and SITLA lands in the Virgin area. We have held two productive meetings with the Town of Virgin, the Washington County Attorney, and the PLPCO Assistant Attorney General for Washington County to explore viable paths forward.

As a reminder, there are two separate access rights-of-way in this area: the historic RS 2477 route and a prescriptive easement crossing Lot 10 of the Zion’s Edge subdivision. While there are valid legal claims supporting both routes, all parties generally agree that maintaining reliable access through at least one of these corridors would be sufficient.

Having multiple options improves the likelihood of preserving access, but it also adds complexity, as each potential solution affects different property owners in different ways. To allow time to work toward a voluntary and mutually acceptable resolution, we have agreed with the Town of Virgin to temporarily delay our appeal hearing.

In the meantime, all “No Trespassing” signs have been removed, and access—both motorized and non-motorized—is currently open and allowed.

UPLA submitted comments on BLM’s plan to close all the free dispersed camping near the SR9, and supplement camping by building developed camping and improving some designated camping on the South Side of the Virgin River. Another part of their plan is to close some areas near Gooseberry Mesa for restoration, and build a developed campground there.

UPLA looked at the plan, and is concerned about efforts that will end Free, dispersed camping in both area. You can read our comments here

Public comments close on December 24, so if this concerns you, please go to the BLM EPlanning website for details and to submit your comments.

UPLA now has the most extensive collection of GPX tracks throughout Utah and surrounding areas. It’s hard to count, but it’s safe to say we literally have thousands of route tracks within Utah from many different sources. Recent additions to our collection include:

• Arapeen
• Bears Ears
• Bear Lake-Northern Utah/Idaho
• Canyonlands/Maze
• Great Western Trail-AZ, UT, WY, ID
• Hanksville/Torrey
• Paiute OHV Trails including Fremont and Pausaugant
• Vernal
• 360 Google Street View Trails that show you video of the trails

These tracks are available to Members by visiting Trail Maps – Utah Public Lands Alliance. If you’re not a Member yet, there’s a link to choose and activate a membership right away.