• Home
  • Store
    • AZBackroads Store
    • Cart
    • Subscriptions
    • Hats
    • Hoodie
    • Wall Art
    • Downloads
  • Membership
    • Member Dashboard
    • Expeditionist Only
    • Change Password
    • Forgot Password?
    • Support Us
    • Pick A Membership
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Connect With Us
    • Report A Trash Dump
    • AZBCE Ambassadors
    • Our Allies
  • The Backcountry
    • Arizona 4×4 Routes
    • Wildfires & Restrictions
    • Forest Alerts
    • The Guide to camping
    • Trail Etiquette
    • Arizona state trust land permit

Welcome Guest! Please consider becoming a member!

Sign Up Now!

Dispersed Camping and River Access Hit Hard in the AZ Strip

April 22, 2022

The Bureau of Land Management quietly released their final decision on a travel management plan that will close 641 miles of motorized roads near Littlefield and Colorado City in the Arizona Strip.

Written By

Kevin Allard

The Bureau of Land Management quietly released a final decision on a portion of a proposed transportation network in St George Basin, Colorado City, and Littlefield Arizona on March 9th, 2022. This proposal consists of two areas in the vicinity of Littlefield Arizona, and a separate area in the St Geroge Basin and Colorado City area.

These areas are among the most prized adventure destinations in all of Arizona with some very popular destinations. At the same time, 90% of the area is the least visited public land in the state, dominated by massive sandstone formations and the deepest canyons in Arizona that are only accessible by 4×4 vehicles. 90% of the area is an isolated wasteland, with the occasional sighting of a loan rancher.

Most of the roads in the area dead-end at canyon overlooks at multiple points between the Grand Canyon and the Utah Border. These areas provide public access to multiple recreation opportunities that are dispersed throughout the area including dispersed and primitive camping.

The final decision released in March applies to the Littlefield, Arizona portion of the plan. The final decision on the St. George Basin and Colorado City portion was approved in 2018.

Out of a combined 1,544 miles of roads in the project areas, only 903 miles will remain open with a total of 641 miles closed to motor vehicles or limited for other uses. Out of the 641 miles, 316 miles will be permanently closed to all uses.

These closed roads are primarily short side roads that lead to dispersed camping sites or river access areas along the Vergin River. Likewise, several sections of road that connect entire trail systems, are closing.

Littlefield, Arizona | 50% of Roads Closed

Our whole group overheated ascending the Vergin Mountains through Elbow Canyon.

206 miles of roads will be closed around Littlefield and Mesquite Arizona with only 218 miles remaining open. Out of the 206 miles of roads closed, 140 miles will be closed to mechanical use, and the remaining designated for other uses.

Most of the closed roads in this plan are river access areas and campsites along the Virgin River outside of the towns of Mesquite and Littlefield. These river access areas can be found on USGS topo maps as early as 1954 and cannot be closed per Revised Statute 2477 and Arizona Revised Statute 37.931.

Likewise, multiple roads are closing within the Paiute Wilderness which brings into question the legitimacy of the wilderness designation. This plan shows that the towns of Mesquite and Littlefield are surrounded by designated Areas of Environmental Concern that introduce further restrictions in the future.

This decision will restrict use during certain times of the year on several roads in the region. Access will be limited to seasonal use on Elbow Canyon which provides access to the Parashant National Monument from the west. This road is a nice drive suitable for any 4×4 vehicle.

Road designations around the small towns of Littlefield, Mesquite, and Scenic.

St. George Basin and Colorado City

The final decision for the St. George Basin and the Colorado City sub-reagin was released in 2018. The area consists of 1,117 miles of roads. In 2018, the Arizona Strip Field Office released its final decision to close 466 miles, leaving only 651 miles open to the public.

A majority of these roads are short side roads that lead to primitive dispersed campsites and beautiful lookouts. There are also several roads closing that travel through canyons, cross rivers, and provide access to historical places.

St George Basin road designations

A big loss recreation

This final decision will impact all public land users by closing long-established roads that provide access to dispersed recreation opportunities. A majority of these roads are valid and established rights of way that were granted by the U.S. Congress in 1865. These public rights of way are under the authority of state law and have existed for more than 130 years.

In the plan, the federal government notates its authority under the Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA). However, in three separate sections, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act specifically recognize that all valid existing land use rights are not affected by FLPMA. In other words, The Federal Land Policy Management Act does not apply to any right of way, water right, grazing right, or any other land use right that existed at the time of its passage in October of 1976.

A right of way inherently provides a fundamental human right to have free movement across the land of the United States. The very idea of a right of way is to provide a passage where the public can freely travel across land owned by another. It is a servitude imposed by common law on the underlying landowner and recognizes the free movement of people across the surface of the earth.

It is a well-known fact that the federal government has no authority over these roads and we must stand against any further regulation. Early federal regulations and the supreme court have always applied state law when dealing with rights-of-way because the federal government has limited legislative jurisdiction over public lands in the Western U.S. per the U.S. Constitution.

How To Take Action

View The Project Site

We suggest you contact your political representatives in the state Legislative District 5, Mohave County, and Congressmen Gosar ASAP and ask them to oppose this proposal and force an immediate withdrawal.

Mohave County Board of Supervisors

Mohave County is known to protect our right to way across public lands. They are our most valuable resource. Please contact the Mohave County Clerk of the Board ASAP.

(928) 753-0731

Congressman Paul Gosar

Congressmen Gosar is also known to protect our right to access public lands. Please contact his Prescott office below.

(928) 445-1683

State Legislature

You can email the Arizona legislature in District 5 using the form below. Please be respectful and ask them to oppose this decision.

Littlefield Travel Management Plan Final Decision

0

Message from a concerned citizen regarding motorized use of public roads.

%your signature%

You can add formatting using markdown syntax – read more


This message was sent from a call to action on the AZBackroads.com website. You may view the page HERE. You may also view this proposed action by the Bureau of Land Management HERE
 
Kevin Allard
Author: Kevin Allard

Kevin is an American outdoorsman born and raised in rural Arizona who grew up exploring the Arizona backcountry with his father. Today, he and his son travel to the most remote regions of Arizona, scavenging for the remains of early western pioneers. As a lifelong outdoorsman, Kevin has learned to stick close to his roots while engaging in important advocacy work regarding motorized access to public lands. You can find his work in many local and nationwide publications, including The Western Journal, 4Low Magazine, and his website AZBackroads.com.

Share this:

  • Click to share on SMS (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

We Need Your Help To Keep Our Backroads Open!

Please become a member today!

Learn More
  • Dispersed Camping and River Access Hit Hard in the AZ Strip

  • ACTION ALERT | Massive Changes to the Tonto Forest

  • ShareTrails | Day Use Restrictions Proposed for Tuweep Area of the Grand Canyon

  • SB1377 | Massive changes to the Arizona OHV fund

  • Correction! | ACTION ALERT | Proposal Prohibits Dispersed Camping in the Verde Valley

  • Action Alert | OHV Fund for statewide Interoperability?

  • ACTION ALERT COMMENTS OPEN | Pinal County Palo Verde Regional Park

  • ACTION ALERT COMMENT NEEDED | Proposed Closure Of Castle Hot Springs Rd

  • Breaking! Final Decision Withdrawn | Black Canyon Travel Management Plan | 57% of roads CLOSED

  • Action Alert | Contact the city of Sedona in support of motorized access

Please become an AZBackroads.com Member

As a member, you unlock access to:

  1. an incredible collection of GPS tracks.
  2. a collection of over 1,300 Points Of Interest.
  3. and commentary from the author, free merch, and a discount on all products in our store.

We Need Your Help

Learn More

AZ Backcountry Explorers

  • About Us
  • Connect With Us
  • Report A Trash Dump
  • AZBCE Ambassadors
  • Our Allies
  • Take Action Now
  • Privacy & Return Policy

Store

  • AZBackroads Store
  • Subscription
  • Hat
  • Hoodie
  • Wall Art
  • Download
  • Cart

Membership & Account

  • Member Dashboard
  • Expeditionist Only
  • View Profile
  • Change Password
  • Log out
  • Support Us

The Backcountry

  • Help Save Apache Trail
  • Arizona 4×4 Routes
  • Wildfires & Restrictions
  • Mapping Adventure
  • Forest Alerts
  • THE Guide to Camping
  • Trail Etiquette
  • AZ State Trust Land Permit

This site is built and maintained by Arizona Backcountry Explorers. All Right Reserved. Copyright 2022.