Obama Designates Bears Ears National Monument

Photo credit: Mike Shaw

The Bears Ears region of southeastern Utah is an iconic destination for human-powered outdoor recreation. In addition to being home to several destination national parks, such as Arches and Canyonlands, the Bears Ears region boasts world-class rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, canyoneering, whitewater paddling, and skiing. The region is also home to thousands of cultural resource sites and is sacred to Native American Tribes. However, for many years the exceptional Bears Ears landscape has weathered ongoing impacts from resource extraction and irresponsible public use, especially the looting of cultural sites.

Along with our partners at Access Fund, the Outdoor Industry Association, and The Conservation Alliance, Outdoor Alliance has worked hard over the past year to secure stronger protections for this incredible landscape.

Today Outdoor Alliance applauds President Obama’s designation of the Bears Ears National Monument. The newly-created monument provides access for human-powered recreation and outstanding opportunities for the public to experience a unique landscape.

Utah’s recreation economy depends on the many internationally renowned recreation opportunities at Bear Ears National Monument. Protecting the integrity of southeastern Utah's recreation resources is fundamental to ensuring a bright future for the growing recreation economy. Thanks to President Obama’s proclamation, this unique landscape will remain permanently protected.