Off-roading is one of life's greatest pleasures. Getting out into nature, breathing in the fresh air, and experiencing the wild, wide world of nature from the comfort of a motorcycle, dirt bike, ATV, UTV, or 4x4 is next to perfect.
But in the last few years, our nation's public lands and trails have come under fire from both sides of the aisle, both of which want to see these trails closed. They want to do it for different reasons, sure, but the end goal is the same: no more off-roading.
It's incredibly short-sighted, as well as economically unsound, but this is the timeline we're living in.
Thankfully, companies that derive their income from off-roading (not SEMA, though), have begun to come to the defense of public land, public land access, and improving or maintaining off-road trails. One of the biggest proponents in the space has been onX Maps, with both its Hunt and Off-Road arms making much ado about the subject. And recently, the brand partnered with Toyota for its Trail Revival Project.
"onX Offroad and Toyota are proud to partner on the Trail Revival Project," states onX on its website, adding, "A nationwide community-driven, club-led initiative dedicated to ensuring public land access is preserved long into the future. Trail Revival Project events invite volunteers to clear trees and debris, repair and maintain trail infrastructure, and help restore and protect the spaces we love to recreate on."
As part of onX's Access Initiatives, the Trail Revival Project aims to basically help the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other critically underfunded government agencies tasked with ensuring public lands access to all recreators by going in, clearing and maintaining trails, cleaning up trash left by a-holes, and making sure you and I can have a good day off-roading. And that's critically needed right now as both sides are using unmaintained, ill-kept, or maintained but not to standards as a cudgel to remove our public lands access.
"At a time when access to public lands is feeling increasingly uncertain, we’re inviting the outdoor community to help protect the places they love,” says onX Brand Director Frances Kershaw, adding, "This initiative is about more than just trail maintenance—it’s about coming together to safeguard our shared landscapes for the future."
According to onX, so far only five projects have been planned across the country, the first being in Mendocino National Forest, California on May 3rd. From there, onX, Toyota and local off-roading clubs will visit Pennsylvania, Colorado, Montana, and North Carolina, with more being planned at present. Likewise, interested off-roading and adventure clubs can apply through onX for their own hosted trail projects, where they could receive grants and resources such as tools and chainsaws, and $5,000 to support the project.
You can apply your club here.
"Whether you’re out hiking, biking or overlanding, access is critical," says Mike Tripp, Group Vice President of Toyota Marketing. He added, "As brands who engage with outdoor enthusiasts, we have a unique opportunity to rally our communities to protect the places we all love."
