Hikers on a hillside trail surrounded by greenery and wildfowers

Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE Act)

Enacted on January 4, 2025, the  EXPLORE Act (Public Law 118-234) represents a historic bipartisan commitment to expanding outdoor recreation on public lands and waters, supporting rural economies and communities while enhancing the American quality of life. Its provisions seek to modernize outdoor recreation infrastructure, expand accessibility, streamline permitting, and foster partnerships while protecting natural resources for current and future generations. 

Secretary’s Order 3435, issued on June 25, 2025, established the Department of the Interior’s framework for implementing the EXPLORE Act. The Order ensures strong internal management and timely compliance, as well as meaningful stakeholder engagement and private sector coordination, to maximize the Act’s impact and maintain the highest standards of stewardship.

BLM’s Role Under the EXPLORE Act

As the nation’s largest public lands manager, the BLM plays a significant role in implementing the EXPLORE Act’s provisions alongside other federal land management agencies. Among other actions, the BLM is:

  • Expanding opportunities for recreation: Collaborating with the Departments of Interior and Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive inventory of recreation resources on federal lands, identify underutilized areas, and plan for future demand.

  • Advancing recreation priorities: Addressing a variety of activities including biking, rock climbing, target shooting, filming, and more to ensure that our federal lands can meet the needs of today’s visitors.

  • Modernizing recreation permitting: Simplifying Special Recreation Permit (SRP) processes for outfitters, guides, and organized groups by reducing administrative barriers, speeding up application reviews, and ensuring consistency across BLM offices.

  • Improving accessibility: Expanding accessible trails and recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities, military servicemembers and veterans, and youth to ensure equitable access to public lands.

  • Supporting Gateway Communities and reducing overcrowding: Improving data collection and monitoring to better manage visitation and reduce congestion, benefiting visitors as well as communities near BLM-managed lands.

  • Enhancing technology and connectivity: Advancing broadband connectivity at recreation sites to enable improved visitor services across federally managed public lands.

  • Improving interagency coordination: Participating in the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation (FICOR) to coordinate on recreation policies, emergency responses, technology adoption, and partnerships that improve access and visitor experiences.

Line drawing glyph of a press release document

BLM EXPLORE Act News and Highlights