# Trump Targets National Forest Trails for Motorized Access > Trump administration plans to open nearly all national forest trails to dirt bikes and ATVs, sparking environmental and recreation conflicts. - Title: Trump Targets National Forest Trails for Motorized Access - Summary: Trump administration plans to open nearly all national forest trails to dirt bikes and ATVs, sparking environmental and recreation conflicts. Revising the… - Keywords: trump administration, national forest trails, dirt bikes, atvs, wildlife conservation, river ecosystems, cutthroat trout, travel management rule, roadless rule, public lands, montana, forest service - Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/environment/2026/09/trump-us-forest-service-atv-dirt-bikes-off-road-vehicles-rules-trails - Author: Ellis Juhlin - Published: 2026-09-28T19:51:18+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: trump administration, national forest trails, dirt bikes, atvs, wildlife conservation, river ecosystems, cutthroat trout, travel management rule, roadless rule, public lands, montana, forest service ## New Forest Rule Proposal The Trump administration plans to revise the Forest Service’s travel management rule so trails are open unless designated closed. ## Current Trail Rules Most national forests require trails to be explicitly open for motorized vehicles like dirt bikes and ATVs, otherwise they’re for nonmotorized use. ## Environmental Concerns Wildlife groups warn that opening trails to motorized vehicles could damage river ecosystems and fish populations like cutthroat trout. > I'm totally OK with appropriate machine use in the forest. But there are just places where the ecosystem is too sensitive. ## River Restoration Success Restoration efforts in Montana’s Middle Fork Judith River improved fish populations after removing sediment from vehicle crossings. > Fish numbers are up. The work we did to remove the sediment is restoring water quality and the fish population. ## Policy Changes in Montana The Forest Service is revising rules alongside rescinding the roadless rule, which protects 45 million acres from logging and road building. ## Opposition Arguments Conservation groups say the changes lack clarity and could cause conflicts between recreationists and wildlife protection efforts. > The travel management rule is part of your experience. And your experience is not an accident. ## Supporters' View Proponents argue the changes will improve access for people with disabilities and elderly users on public lands. > This is public land, and people with disabilities, the elderly, need some sort of transportation to get out there. ## Environmental Trade-offs The proposed changes could harm river health and fish populations while increasing motorized vehicle use on sensitive ecosystems. ## Public Comment Period The Forest Service extended its public comment period for the rule change to October 6 after backlash over short timelines. ## Historical Context The travel management rule has been in place since the 1970s to balance recreation and conservation on public lands. ## Ecosystem Impact Motorized vehicle use in river corridors causes erosion, sediment runoff, and threatens fish spawning habitats. > The fish population was estimated to be less than 10 percent of what we’d expect of a river that size and character. ## Restoration Efforts Collaborative projects in Montana have rebuilt riverbanks and reduced vehicle crossings to improve fish populations. > We rebuilt 1,000 feet of riverbank, reduced the number of crossings by 80 percent, and built a new section of the off-highway vehicle and jeep trail. ## Policy Rollbacks The administration is rolling back environmental protections, including the roadless rule and Endangered Species Act changes. ## Stakeholder Concerns Wildlife advocates fear the changes will undermine conservation efforts and harm public lands for future generations. > This administration does not appear to value what our public-land system is rooted in. ## Key takeaway Revising the travel management rule could harm river ecosystems and fish populations while increasing motorized access on public lands.