Today, after nearly a decade of work from the outdoor community, the EXPLORE Act passed through Congress and is on its way to the President’s desk to become law!

The EXPLORE Act, a bipartisan recreation policy package, takes important steps to expand and improve outdoor recreation opportunities. The highlights include the Biking on Long Distance Trails Act (BOLT) to identify and create more long-distance bike trails, the Protecting America's Rock Climbing Act (PARC) to safeguard Wilderness climbing, the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR) that will improve recreational permitting for outfitters and guides, and permanent direction for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership and FICOR.

Adam Cramer, Outdoor Alliance’s CEO, said “Outdoor Alliance is thrilled to celebrate the passage of the EXPLORE Act in Congress today. We are deeply grateful to the many champions of outdoor recreation who made this possible, including Senator Manchin, Senator Barrasso, Representative Westerman, and Rep. Grijalva. We also particularly want to thank Senators Wyden, Cantwell, and Heinrich, and Reps. Curtis and Neguse whose leadership, alongside many other champions, laid the groundwork for this recreation package. The EXPLORE Act will significantly enhance outdoor recreation on our public lands and waters, which is especially vital as participation continues to grow each year.

The passage of EXPLORE sends a clear message that outdoor recreation and our public lands are bipartisan priorities. Signing this bill into law represents a meaningful investment in our shared outdoor heritage and the vibrant outdoor recreation economy it sustains. We look forward to continuing to advocate for the protection and enhancement of outdoor recreation and public lands for generations to come. And we are very grateful to members of the public who took the time and effort to let their representatives know how important it was to them to pass this meaningful legislation. That helped make the difference."

Outdoor Alliance and its partners have been instrumental in developing and advocating for the EXPLORE Act over the last ten years, working first with Senator Wyden’s office to develop the Recreation Not Red-Tape Act as well as with The Mountaineers and other partners on the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act (SOAR), led by Sen. Heinrich.

The EXPLORE Act, passed through the House earlier this spring, was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate this afternoon. The passage of the EXPLORE Act would not have happened without years of sustained outreach, support, and advocacy from the outdoor recreation community.

Thank you for being a part of making this success happen. You can use the tool below to thank lawmakers for passing the bill, and help to set the stage for more recreation and conservation legislation to pass in the next Congress:

EXPLORE Act Passes and Will Become Law!