Picture pulling into Evanston, Wyoming, with your side-by-side loaded on a trailer, opening your onX mapping app, and discovering dozens of off-road trails within reach — from the scenic Lewis Ridge Road with its sweeping mountain views to the challenging Cross Border Excursion that winds between Utah and Wyoming.
But there's a problem: getting to many of these trails means navigating around Interstate 80, which cuts right through town.
Now, thanks to legislation passed a couple years ago, that barrier is on its way to being lifted.
More tourists are arriving in places like Evanston armed with onX or other mapping apps, eager to access the extensive trail networks that surround the community. According to onX, the area offers more than 30 beginner-friendly off-road trails, including the 22.9-mile North Slope Road, the scenic East Fork Bear River trail, and numerous routes through the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
In 2023, the Wyoming Legislature took up this connectivity issue and passed legislation making it legal for off-road recreational vehicles to operate in interstate rights of way. On Monday, the Wyoming Department of Transportation held a public hearing to announce and take public comment about the rule changes.
The proposed Chapter 33 rule establishes requirements for ORV operation within interstate rights of way and crossings, helping communities like Evanston become more established ORV tourism hubs by connecting previously isolated trail networks.
"Prior to the 2023 change, it was illegal for ORVs to be in the interstate right of way or cross with an interstate right of way," said Sandra Sanderson, WYDOT's outdoor recreation coordinator. "What that statute did was just allow it to be permissible, contingent upon our rule."
Trail Access
For ORV enthusiasts studying their maps around Evanston, the rule change promises to unlock connectivity that has long been blocked by I-80's path through the region.
"These rules will provide more options when it comes to connecting OHV routes across Wyoming," Chris Floyd, deputy director of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, told Cowboy State Daily. "For example, OHVs are currently not allowed to cross over or under interstate highways, and these rules would allow for that to happen in certain cases."
Floyd noted that interstate rights of way sometimes provide "the only viable option of last resort when it comes to connecting communities and riders to public lands and trails, and these rules would provide a process to do that when necessary."
For Evanston, the rule change could be transformational.
Tim Ray, owner of Addicted Power Sports in Evanston, explained the potential impact: "That gives us full access to all the other trails in southwest Wyoming. So that ties us into the Fort Bridger and the Valley trails. And then from there you can go all the way into Rock Springs."
Ray sees the connectivity as a major economic opportunity for his community.
"They can come here and stay in the hotels, gas stations, and then you can go see all the sights and all the monuments and everything like that around here,” he said.
Strict Safety
The proposed rule establishes stringent safety requirements for both ORV operators and infrastructure to ensure safe passage near interstate highways.
Operators must have valid driver's licenses, proper vehicle licensing or decals, liability insurance of at least $25,000, and required safety equipment including brakes, horns, mufflers, and mirrors.
Interstate crossings must be grade-separated, meaning ORVs can only cross above or below the interstate rather than at road level. Traffic volume is limited to a maximum of 1,000 vehicles annually, and proper signage is required for safety and compliance.
For ORV routes running adjacent to interstates, the rule mandates that trails stay outside clear zones, include physical barriers between the route and interstate roadway, avoid using existing interstate infrastructure and meet all state and federal regulatory requirements.
"We have to figure out how to separate the freeway from the trail because we can't have vehicles coming onto the freeway from side-by-sides or four wheelers," Ray said. "I'm sure it'll be all posted and there'll be some kind of fence, or there'll be some kind of barrier between that trail and the freeway."
Tourism Growth
The economic implications are substantial for Wyoming's growing ORV tourism market. According to a 2021 study, ORV trail users contribute $365 million annually to Wyoming's economy.
"With more riders enjoying the outdoors each year, we have to use all of the tools at our disposal to make sure that our trail systems provide the kinds of experiences that the users desire," Floyd said.
The popularity of mapping apps like onX has made it easier for tourists to discover and plan ORV adventures in places like Evanston. The onX platform showcases trails ranging from easy family-friendly routes like the 1.1-mile Birch Creek Reservoirs trail to more challenging adventures like the technical Rockslide Safari route up Elizabeth Mountain.
The rules establish that interstate right of way can only be used as a "last resort" option, requiring applicants to demonstrate that other alternatives have been exhausted. All costs for construction and maintenance fall to the Wyoming State Trails Program rather than WYDOT.
WYDOT anticipates the Wyoming Transportation Commission will consider adopting the rules in October, following review of public comments received during Monday's hearing.
Wyoming's efforts to improve ORV connectivity come as the national off-road vehicle market experiences substantial growth. According to Precedence Research, the U.S. off-road vehicles market was valued at $11.3 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $17.72 billion by 2034.
David Madison can be reached at david@cowboystatedaily.com.
