Polaris and BLM Award Grants for Off-Highway Projects
A new partnership initiative provides over $500,000 for 10 recreation projects across six states.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in National Parks
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Polaris and the Foundation for America's Public Lands have awarded 10 grants totaling over $500,000 to improve off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. These funds will support infrastructure and safety enhancements across Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
Why it matters
The investment aims to promote safe motorized recreation while improving trail access and essential facilities for public land users. By partnering with local organizations, the initiative seeks to better maintain the areas that host OHV communities.
The grants support 10 specific projects across six states, bringing the total number of OHV projects supported by the partnership to 17. Planned improvements range from new trail construction and campground development to the installation of entrance kiosks.
The players
Polaris
Polaris is a manufacturer of off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and motorcycles based in the United States.
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior responsible for managing public lands.
Foundation for America's Public Lands
The Foundation for America's Public Lands is a nonprofit organization that supports the stewardship of federal public lands.
The details
Projects include installing new signage, building restrooms, developing new trail connectors, and hosting safety training programs. These site improvements are executed in collaboration with local groups such as Tread Lightly! and Friends of Dunes.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Polaris and the BLM invested $200,000 in Utah OHV projects.
October 2026: The partnership announced the $500,000 grant awards for 10 projects.
November 2026: Safety training and clean-up activities are scheduled at the Imperial Sand Dunes.
Travel Outlook
These infrastructure improvements follow the pattern of cooperative management established by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to facilitate public recreation on federal lands. The grants represent a broader trend of private-public partnerships designed to maintain multi-use access across the National System of Public Lands.
Visitors to these BLM recreation areas can expect improved signage, clearer trail markers, and updated campground facilities following the completion of these projects. Travelers should check local BLM field office websites for potential short-term trail closures during the construction and improvement phases.
The takeaway
Investing in infrastructure like kiosks and signage helps balance the increased demand for off-road recreation with environmental stewardship. Visitors are encouraged to utilize new training and signage resources to ensure they are riding safely and responsibly on public lands.
What happens next
Safety training and clean-up events for the project are scheduled for November 2026 at the Imperial Sand Dunes.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in recreation by visiting the National Parks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Powersports Business.
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