E-bikes are not allowed on any non-motorized trails within BLM jurisdiction.Ĭamping: Dispersed camping is allowed without a permit on most un-leased BLM land for up to 14 days. Blm.gov/mountainbike highlights 20 mountain bike trail networkss, and includes interactive maps and trailhead information. In those areas that are not for lease, the BLM is working in conjunction with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) to create more “bike optimized” trails. However, according to data analyzed by The Wilderness Society, 90 percent of public lands are available to oil and gas developers (), while only 10 percent are set aside for recreation, conservation, and wildlife. In all, the BLM manages 248 million acres, or 10.5% of the total US land area.īiking: Unless otherwise posted, biking is allowed on all BLM land. The BLM administers more public lands than any other agency, with the vast majority (99.4%) located in the 11 contiguous western states and Alaska.

And, in 2000, the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System, better known as the National Conservation Lands, was established.

In 1996, Clinton established Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the first of its kind to be administered by the BLM. Then, in 1983, Congress designated the first BLM-managed wilderness area. For most of its history, the focus of the BLM was on resource extraction and management. The BLM is mandated to manage public lands for a variety of purposes, including “…energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and timber harvesting while ensuring natural, cultural, and historic resources are maintained for present and future use” (blm.gov). The BLM was created in 1946 through the merger of two federal agencies, the General Land Office and the US Grazing Service. Each agency’s website provides quality information about general land and trail usage and has links to particular properties/parks. When planning a bikepacking route, it is always advisable to research the specific areas through which you will be riding. To better understand public lands, here’s a snapshot of the agencies and bureaus that manage them, specific designations applied to various lands, as well as general access guidelines. *The remaining 5% of public lands fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (11 million acres) and an amalgam of various federal agencies. It’s safe to say that without access to federally managed lands, bikepacking wouldn’t exist in the US. In fact, 98% of the US-based bikepacking routes we’ve published utilize federal public lands for camping, trails, and roadways. As such, American citizens depend on public lands for recreation of all sorts. Owners often feel the need to protect their property from abuse/misuse and themselves from potential litigation, so they make it off-limits to the public. Gaining access to private lands is difficult. The remainder of the country’s total land area (2.27 billion acres) is managed and/or owned by state and local governments or by private corporations and individuals. Lands under siege and current legislationĪction items you can take to help bring awareness to the threats that face our public lands Maps and applications to identify public and private lands Agencies, land designations, and bikepacking access information

Usfs and blm campgrounds