The U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture are actively seeking nominations from land managers to designate new long-distance mountain biking trails on federal public lands. Under Section 121 of the EXPLORE Act, specifically through the Biking on Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act framework, these agencies have opened a formal proposal period where qualified nominations can shape the nation’s future mountain biking infrastructure.
The deadline for submissions is August 3, 2026, marking the end of an opportunity for trail advocates, local land managers, and cycling organizations to propose routes that meet federal standards. This initiative represents a significant shift toward formalizing remote mountain biking opportunities on public lands. Rather than developing new trails from scratch, the federal agencies are prioritizing the designation of existing routes that already serve cyclists, combined with identification of areas where new trails could be constructed. The Bureau of Land Management, which leads this effort alongside other agencies, is looking for trails that connect communities and showcase the geographic diversity of American mountain biking.
Table of Contents
- What Are Federal Agencies Looking For in Long-Distance Mountain Biking Trail Nominations?
- Understanding Land Manager Eligibility and Wilderness Restrictions
- The BOLT Coalition’s Role in Shaping Early Nominations
- How Land Managers Can Submit Nominations Before the August Deadline
- Practical Constraints and the Challenge of Existing Trail Documentation
- Coordination Across Federal Land Management Agencies
- What Happens After August 3, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Federal Agencies Looking For in Long-Distance Mountain Biking Trail Nominations?
The Interior and Agriculture departments have established specific criteria that any nominated trail must meet to be considered for designation. Each trail must be at least 80 miles long, ensuring that routes selected represent substantial, multi-day riding experiences rather than local day rides. This length requirement distinguishes these designated trails from typical trail systems found near towns and cities, instead focusing on remote routes that demand serious commitment and planning from riders.
The agencies are targeting the designation of at least 10 long-distance biking trails that already exist as established routes on federal lands, using combinations of existing trails and roads. Simultaneously, they’re seeking nominations for at least 10 areas where future long-distance biking trails can be developed or completed. This dual approach recognizes that some regions have excellent riding foundations ready for official recognition, while others present opportunities for new trail construction that could take several years or more to implement. For example, a historic mining road network on Bureau of Land Management property might qualify as an existing route, while a corridor across National Forest System lands might be nominated for future development if key connecting segments were built.
Understanding Land Manager Eligibility and Wilderness Restrictions
Five federal land-managing agencies are eligible to submit nominations: the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation. Each agency manages distinct landscapes with different management mandates, creating a diverse portfolio of potential trail designations across multiple ecosystems and regions.
However, there is one absolute restriction that shapes where trails can be located: routes cannot be designated within federally protected wilderness areas. This wilderness exclusion is a significant limitation for some regions where pristine backcountry might otherwise offer exceptional riding. Wilderness areas, by law, are reserved for non-mechanized recreation and limited access, meaning mountain bikes are fundamentally incompatible with these protected zones regardless of trail quality or demand. A rider interested in a remote high-altitude loop through a designated wilderness area would find that such a route is ineligible for federal designation, pushing advocates toward alternative corridors on adjacent lands. The restriction also means that agencies must carefully map nominated routes to ensure they avoid wilderness boundaries, which can require substantial geographical research and coordination with land management specialists.
The BOLT Coalition’s Role in Shaping Early Nominations
The BOLT Coalition has already provided preliminary direction to the federal agencies by proposing 13 trail nominations as candidates for inclusion in the long-distance trail catalog. These proposals represent a curated selection from advocates who have studied federal lands and identified routes that meet the criteria while offering genuine mountain biking value. The coalition’s early submissions signal which trails are likely to be strong contenders when the nomination period closes on August 3, 2026, and they provide a template for what successful proposals look like in practice.
By publicly backing specific routes, the BOLT Coalition has effectively highlighted where future official designations might concentrate. These 13 proposals span different regions and land management jurisdictions, suggesting a geographic distribution of opportunity across the country. Riders and land managers in regions not represented by these initial proposals now have a clear benchmark for understanding what makes a nomination competitive, even if they disagree with specific choices or want to advance alternative routes.
How Land Managers Can Submit Nominations Before the August Deadline
The nomination process is structured primarily for land managers rather than individual cyclists or advocacy groups, though stakeholders can certainly encourage their regional land managers to participate. Each nominating agency must prepare documentation that establishes how a proposed trail meets federal standards, including mapping its route across specific parcels of land, confirming its length reaches the 80-mile minimum, and detailing whether it uses existing infrastructure or represents a development opportunity. The Bureau of Land Management’s press release and formal nomination guidelines provide the technical specifications required.
Agencies must work quickly to meet the August 3, 2026 deadline, meaning land managers who have not yet begun preparation are working on a compressed timeline. The nomination process typically involves coordinating with local district offices, gathering historical trail use data, securing input from recreation specialists, and potentially consulting with state forestry or wildlife offices depending on the land involved. This coordination can be time-intensive, creating pressure for land managers to prioritize their strongest candidates rather than submit marginal nominations that are unlikely to advance through federal review.
Practical Constraints and the Challenge of Existing Trail Documentation
While the federal framework invites nominations for existing routes, documenting those routes can prove more difficult than expected. Some remote mountain biking trails, particularly those that have developed organically over decades, may lack formal records, maintenance plans, or clear legal authorization for continued use. A riding community might have used a particular ridge route for years without ever having worked with the relevant land manager to formalize its status, creating ambiguity about whether it qualifies as an established trail eligible for designation.
The exclusion of wilderness areas also creates practical complications for certain regions. In mountainous states where wilderness designations are extensive, the available corridors for long-distance biking routes may be limited or fragmented, making it difficult to piece together the required 80-mile stretches. Additionally, land managers must consider whether a nominated route can sustainably handle increased use following official designation, as recognition can accelerate trail degradation and require additional maintenance resources that may not be available.
Coordination Across Federal Land Management Agencies
The involvement of five different federal agencies introduces both opportunities and coordination challenges. The Bureau of Land Management administers about 245 million acres, the U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres, and these vast landscapes offer potential for long-distance trails. The National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation manage smaller land bases but control terrain in strategic locations that could connect otherwise fragmented trail systems.
A single trail might traverse lands managed by two or even three different agencies, requiring all of them to align on nomination and management approaches. When trails cross jurisdictional boundaries, each agency must agree on the nomination and commit to consistent management standards. This inter-agency coordination can slow the nomination process but also ensures that designated trails receive unified support once formal recognition occurs. Some of the strongest nomination candidates likely involve agency partnerships that have already established cooperative trail management frameworks.
What Happens After August 3, 2026
Once the nomination period closes, the federal agencies will evaluate all submissions against established criteria, including trail quality, geographic diversity, regional balance, and feasibility of either immediate designation or realistic development timelines. Not every nominated trail will advance; the agencies are aiming for at least 10 existing routes and at least 10 development areas, suggesting they expect to receive more nominations than they can accommodate in the initial round.
The agencies will use feedback from the BOLT Coalition and other stakeholders to guide their selection process. Routes already backed by advocacy organizations and land managers may receive priority, though this is not guaranteed. For riders and cycling enthusiasts, the August 3 deadline represents the closing window for influencing which remote mountain biking experiences will receive federal recognition and potential support for maintenance and development in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do individual cyclists need to submit nominations, or only land managers?
Only land managers from eligible federal agencies can formally submit nominations. However, cyclists and advocacy groups can contact their regional land managers to encourage nominations of routes they want to see designated.
Can trails in wilderness areas be nominated?
No. Federal law prohibits mountain biking in designated wilderness areas, so nominated routes must be located outside these protected zones.
What is the minimum length for a nominated trail?
Trails must be at least 80 miles long to meet federal designation criteria.
Which federal agencies can submit nominations?
The Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation are all eligible to submit nominations.
Will all nominated trails be designated?
No. The agencies are targeting at least 10 existing trails for designation and at least 10 areas for future trail development. Not all nominations will advance.
