BLM’s Dinosaur North Travel Management Plan: What Off-Roaders Need to Know

The Dinosaur North travel management plan puts hundreds of miles of public-land routes near Vernal, Utah, on the table. The Bureau of Land Management released a draft designating roughly 700 miles of routes as open, limited, or closed. Because the public comment window closes July 23, 2026, off-roaders have a short runway to weigh in.

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What the Dinosaur North Travel Management Plan Is

The Dinosaur North plan is a draft decision from the BLM’s Vernal Field Office. It covers public land in Daggett and Uintah counties, north and east of Vernal. The agency must decide which routes stay open to motor vehicles, which carry limits, and which close. In short, it sets the road map for off-road access across this corner of Utah.

The BLM is revising these routes because of a 2017 legal settlement. Under the settlement, the agency agreed to redo travel plans across millions of acres of Utah public land. As a result, dozens of areas, including Dinosaur North, now move through fresh review. Conservation groups and access advocates both watch the work closely.

The draft evaluates roughly 700 miles of existing routes across more than 220,000 acres. Each route lands in one of three buckets: open, limited, or closed. Therefore, the final mix decides how much of the network you keep for trail riding, hunting access, and reaching dispersed campsites.

Key Facts at a Glance

Here is how the proposal breaks down on the details off-roaders care about.

The Four Dinosaur North Plan Alternatives

The BLM presents four paths, and each one keeps a different share of routes open. Because the agency picks from these options, the labels matter to anyone who rides or hunts the area.

Alternative A is the no-action choice. It keeps the current network roughly as is. Alternative B is the conservation option, and it closes the most mileage. Reports tied to the draft point to about 420 miles of routes closing under the most restrictive path.

Alternative C sits in the middle as a balanced approach. It trims some routes while keeping core access. Alternative D is the access option, which keeps nearly all routes open. The BlueRibbon Coalition backs Alternative D because it preserves the widest network for riders and hunters.

Why the Dinosaur North Plan Matters to Off-Roaders

Route designations decide where you legally drive. When the BLM closes a route, reaching a trailhead, a hunting unit, or a backcountry campsite often gets harder. For this reason, the decision reaches well beyond trail riders.

Dispersed campers feel these changes too. Many free sites sit at the end of two-track roads, so a closed route cuts off a favorite spot. If you camp on public land near Vernal, review the route map before you plan a trip. Our guide to dispersed camping in Utah covers how access rules shape where you sleep.

The trend extends across the state. Near Moab, for example, the BLM closed 317 miles of backcountry routes in 2023. Because Utah travel plans keep moving through review, staying informed protects the access you rely on. Our walkthrough on how to find free camping on BLM and USFS land helps you adapt as maps change.

How the Comment Process Works

The BLM accepts public comments on the Dinosaur North plan through July 23, 2026. You submit comments online by selecting the “Participate Now” option on the project’s BLM ePlanning page. Alternatively, you mail comments to the BLM Vernal Field Office at 170 South 500 East, Vernal, UT 84078.

Specific comments carry the most weight. The agency asks commenters to provide new, technical, or factual details tied to the routes and alternatives. For instance, you might note a route you use for hunting access, a campsite it reaches, or a road condition the analysis missed. A digital map helps you cite exact routes, so see our roundup of the best off-road GPS apps before you write.

What Happens Next

After the comment period ends, the BLM reviews the input and finalizes the route network. The agency expects a final decision by November 2026. Until then, the current routes stay legal to use.

Plans like this one shape access for years, so the outcome carries weight for the whole region. Responsible use also keeps trails open longer. Sticking to existing routes and packing out waste reduces the closures tied to damage, a point our Leave No Trace camping guide explains in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Dinosaur North travel management plan comment deadline?

The BLM accepts comments through July 23, 2026. The 30-day window opened on June 22, 2026. After it closes, the agency reviews input before a final decision.

How many miles of routes does the Dinosaur North plan affect?

The draft evaluates roughly 700 miles of existing routes across more than 220,000 acres of public land. Each route is designated open, limited, or closed. Under the most restrictive alternative, about 420 miles would close.

Why is the BLM revising travel plans near Vernal?

A 2017 legal settlement required the BLM to redo travel plans across large areas of Utah. As a result, the Vernal Field Office is reviewing these routes now. Several other Utah areas move through the same process.

How do I submit a comment on the proposal?

Use the “Participate Now” tool on the project’s BLM ePlanning page, or mail comments to the BLM Vernal Field Office in Vernal, Utah. Specific, route-level details help the agency more than general support or opposition.

Will the plan close dispersed camping access?

It depends on which alternative the BLM selects. Many dispersed sites sit along two-track roads, so closing a route cuts off a campsite. Reviewing the route map before a trip helps you avoid a closed access road.