A bill to authorize the use of off-highway vehicles in certain areas of the Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would allow off-highway vehicles (OHVs) — such as ATVs, dirt bikes, and similar motorized recreational vehicles — to be used in certain designated areas within Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. Currently, national parks generally restrict or prohibit the use of off-highway vehicles to protect natural resources and the visitor experience. This legislation would create an exception, permitting OHV use in specific parts of this park.

The bill would primarily affect recreational OHV riders and enthusiasts who want to use Capitol Reef's terrain for motorized recreation, as well as the park's current visitors who come for hiking, sightseeing, and other non-motorized activities. Local communities and tourism businesses in the surrounding area of south-central Utah could also be impacted, either through increased visitor traffic from OHV users or changes to the park's character and appeal.

It is worth noting that the bill does not open the entire park to OHVs — it specifies "certain areas," meaning designated zones would be identified for this use. The National Park Service would likely play a role in determining how the policy is implemented. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where a subcommittee has already held hearings, but it has not yet advanced further in the legislative process.