Outdoor Alliance

09/03/2026

If you’ve hiked Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina’s Pisgah, Baker Lake in Washington’s North Cascades, or long sections of the PCT and the CDT, you’ve spent time in what’s called an “inventoried roadless area” or IRA.

Outdoor Alliance and AllTrails have mapped some of the most visited trails in the U.S. protected by the Roadless Rule. The rule protects remote, undeveloped landscapes that include popular trails, thru hikes, and backpacking destinations across the country.

The USDA is currently trying to rescind the Roadless Rule, which would roll back protections on 45 million acres of National Forest land and more than 25,000 miles of trails open to hiking, trail running, and other uses like horseback riding and mountain biking.

There’s a lot at stake, and hikers, trail runners, cyclists, and everyone who uses trails to get into the outdoors should speak up for keeping the Roadless Rule intact. See the 50 most popular trails in roadless areas via All Trails:

Here's what the rule does, why the arguments for killing it don't hold up, and what you can do before September 21.

09/01/2026

Andrew Blann is the Vice President of Arkansas Climbers Coalition, and a member of the Grasstops Collective at Outdoor Alliance.

As part of our Outdoor Allies series, Andrew talks about the successes they’ve achieved in the state of Arkansas as a local climbing organization (aka LCO). By working with land management agencies and local officials, Arkansas Climbers Coalition has been able to open new places to climb at both state and federal public lands.

“One thing I’ve learned about this work is that it's a long game. It’s all about relationship building, and it takes more than just one meeting to get things moving forward. It’s all about consistency and making the small wins something larger over time. I don’t know many Congresspeople who are climbers, but you can always find something to connect on in Arkansas because access to the outdoors and nature are very important to everyone in this state. Whatever time you do get in front of these people, take it, because it’s going to be beneficial and pay back not just for you, but also your community.”

Learn more about Andrew and his work advocating for more climbing access in Arkansas, via our Outdoor Allies series:

Andrew Blann is the Vice President of the Arkansas Climbing Coalition and a member of the first cohort of Outdoor Alliance’s Grasstops Collective. Learn more about how he got his start in advocacy, and advice for others who want to turn their love of the outdoors into advocacy.

08/28/2026

For decades, the Travel Management Rule has helped the Forest Service manage different types of recreation on the 193 million acres of public land it manages. This includes a clear process for designating what roads, trails, and areas are open to motorized use and non-motorized use.

This week, the administration announced its intent to rescind travel management regulations which could open the door for conflicts between users.

Travel management planning is a priority for multiple Outdoor Alliance member organizations, including Winter Wildlands Alliance, which works to protect backcountry skiing.

One of Outdoor Alliance’s core values is that there is room for everyone on public lands. But, we have significant concerns about the agency’s proposal including an “open unless designated closed” policy.

Learn more about the proposal and weigh in before the comment period closes, September 23:

As the Forest Service prepares to rescind Roadless Rule, it is rethinking its Travel Management Rule, which guides where roads and motorized recreation can occur on national forests.

08/26/2026

This week, Outdoor Alliance, The Conservation Alliance, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, MeatEater, and Duct Tape Then Beer are launching a campaign that will help deliver one million signatures to lawmakers on Public Lands Day.

For nearly two years, Outdoor Alliance, our member orgs and partners, and the entire outdoor recreation community have watched our elected officials try to sell off public lands, remove protections for places like the Boundary Waters and the Bears Ears National Monument, and now they’re rolling back the Roadless Rule.

We’ve had enough! We have three demands:

🛑 No more public lands sell-offs.
🛑 No more giveaways to billionaires and foreign companies.
🛑 No more backroom deals.

Our goal is one million signatures to lawmakers delivered to lawmakers on Public Lands Day. Learn more, and become one in a million:

It's time to play offense. No Sell-Offs. No Giveaways. No Backroom Deals. Sign the Petition.

08/24/2026

Last week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order that would block copper mining in the watershed of America’s most visited Wilderness, the Boundary Waters.

The Boundary Waters is beloved by the outdoor recreation community for its backpacking, paddling, hunting, and fishing opportunities.

“Outdoor recreationists from all over the world value the Boundary Waters for its clean water, recreation opportunities, and Wilderness character—all of which are threatened by proposed copper mining upstream. While the fight to protect this landscape is far from over, the recent Executive Order is a critical step towards permanent protections for outdoor recreation and healthy ecosystems in the Boundary Waters," said Jamie Ervin, Policy Director at Outdoor Alliance.

The Executive Order includes six directives, including a proposal for Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources to draft legislation that would permanently ban sulfide-ore copper mining in the watershed. Learn more:

After months of watching Washington strip away federal protections for the Boundary Waters, Minnesota just answered back. A new Executive Order (EO 26-10), signed August 18 by Governor Tim Walz, shuts the door on sulfide-ore copper mining in the watershed that feeds the Wilderness using every tool t...

08/22/2026

08/21/2026

Northeast Washington’s Kettle Crest area draws outdoor enthusiasts in all seasons to experience mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding.

Last month, Outdoor Alliance Washington joined Evergreen Mountain Bike Association and staff from Congressman Michael Baumgartner’s (WA-05) office.

Attendees discussed the importance of reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund and Roadless Rule protections. Following the conversation, the group went for a short mountain bike ride on a trail that had been cleared of downed trees by volunteers the previous day. This kind of work would be supported by legislation like the Legacy Restoration Fund.

“Evergreen’s ongoing stewardship of Kettle Crest is an example of what’s possible when mountain bikers come together to preserve access and ensure a sustainable future for the places and outdoor experiences we love,” shared Jesse Cunningham, Evergreen’s Advocacy and Trail Program Manager.

Learn more about our work in the state of Washington, and national policies that would protect and sustain outdoor recreation nationwide:

Outdoor Alliance Washington partners recently participated in Kettle Fest with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. Learn how Outdoor Alliance Washington is building connections in Eastern Washington to support stewardship and protect public lands.

08/20/2026

ACTION ALERT! The USDA has opened up a 30 day comment period as it moves forward to rescind the Roadless Rule.

Roadless areas are some of the last undeveloped backcountry landscapes in our National Forests. They are places where people hike, climb, bike, paddle, ski, hunt, and explore.

These areas also provide clean air and water, and they’re backbone of a $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy that supports local economies, and over 5 million jobs across the country.

We have until September 21 to defend the rule and protect backcountry recreation. Learn more, and let decision makers know that you want to see the Roadless Rule to stay in place:

Now is the time to speak up for backcountry recreation. The USDA is taking its final steps to roll back protections on 45 million acres of national forest land.

08/18/2026

Public lands managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management support some of the country’s most iconic outdoor recreation opportunities.

These forests, deserts, rivers, mountains, and backcountry landscapes are where millions of Americans hike, hunt, fish, camp, climb, paddle, ride, ski, and connect with the outdoors every year. But many of these recreation landscapes are increasingly at risk.

Outdoor Alliance has released a new report titled, Public Lands At Risk, that highlights outdoor recreation across the country that’s currently threatened. Some of the places and activities include:

*Mountain biking, trail running and horseback riding in Oregon’s Coast Range
*Hunting, fishing, hiking and camping in the Sawtooths in Idaho
*Backcountry skiing, birding and OHV access in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains

These places, and other public lands across the country are foundational to the $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy and support millions of jobs across the country. But their value cannot be measured by economics alone. Learn more:

A new report from Outdoor Alliance spotlights 20+ special places that are at risk amidst the loss of balanced public-lands management.

08/11/2026

This week, the entire Outdoor Alliance staff is out of the office 👋 and out on public lands.

From biking in Roadless 🌲 forests, to spending time with our families on beaches 🌊 across the country, our team is deeply connected to the outdoors because of our love of place.

This year, our work protecting public lands has been challenging, which is why it’s so important for us to put our OOO reply on and go experience the places 🏜️ we’re working so hard to protect. And it’s not just for us—it’s for our kids, families, communities, and future generations.

While we’re away ✌️ we know Outdoor Alliance member organizations, partners, and people like you will keep fighting and advocating for the places we love to get outside.