Unsanctioned Trail Building Can Hurt the Push for Greater Access
Trails advocacy for better trails and greater access is a marathon, not a sprint. Even with improved collaboration between land managers and trail organizations, the regulatory process can take years. These processes often move slower than the public desires, and this frustration sometimes leads to individuals building their own, unsanctioned, bike-optimized trails.
While unsanctioned trails may offer short-term enjoyment for a small fraction of a larger trail user group, the long-term implications for the trail system, the environment, and access advocacy can be negative, even if the unsanctioned trail is only used for one season.
In the 1970s and 80s, unsanctioned trail building may have served a purpose, but today, it undermines the hard-won trust, time, and investment of land use agencies working toward more inclusive trail systems. Unsanctioned trails often lack the sustainable design required to protect the ecosystem. These types of trails also can have unintended consequences on trail system planning.
Land managers must spend money and resources to dismantle unsanctioned trails, gather evidence, and monitor the area after trail removal. Instead, those already-scarce resources could have been used to support the trail system, including potentially opening more singletrack trails to off-road cyclists through the change-in-use process.
Learning from Others: Central Oregon vs. The Bay Area
To provide more context on this important topic, we are sharing a relevant article “Do Unsanctioned Trails Hurt Mountain Biking?”originally published in Summer 2023 by Portland-based Trail Builder Magazine.
Author Travis Reill examines the unintended consequences of unsanctioned trail building in Central Oregon. While the location is different, the dynamics are similar to those we face at Mount Diablo State Park.
In both regions, unmet public needs for better trails and greater access often lead to actions by a few that jeopardize the official change-in-use process for many.
We are grateful to Trail Builder Magazine for granting us permission to share the article here and on our Dig Days Resource Library web page.
Bringing It Closer to Home
At Mount Diablo Trails Alliance, we are working hard to help achieve a more inclusive and welcoming trail system at Mount Diablo State Park, through the Shared Stewardship model and the Change-in-Use process. The guiding forces are the stewardship and access goals of the approved 2016 Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for Mount Diablo.
Engagement, collaboration and patience are important to the building of an inclusive trail system, whether on federal, state or regional park lands. When land managers and trail organizations work together, the construction of new trails or re-designation of existing trails to multi-use/bike friendly through change-in-use can strengthen a community’s opportunities for recreation and more direct connection to nature.
We Recognize the Community’s Frustration
It has been nearly 10 years since the 2016 Road and Trail Management Plan for Mount Diablo State Park was approved, yet the goals for expanded off-road cycling and ADA-compliant trails remain unrealized.
The group most impacted by current restrictions is our youth. While some adults may choose to ride posted "No Bikes" trails, scholastic mountain bike teams are strictly forbidden from doing so by their agreements with land managers.
To get more minors on trails legally, we must follow a responsible, collaborative path.
How to Help Get More Youth on Bikes on Singletrack Trails Legally
If you want to help secure more singletrack access for today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders, here is how you can take action:
We are seeking 2,000-plus signatures by March 1, 2026, affirming widespread community support of our Better Trails | Greater Access strategic plan goals for all trail user groups at Mount Diablo State Park, especially off-road cyclists and park visitors with accessibility needs.
The Trails 2035 Petition will be presented to the California State Parks Diablo Range District Superintendent as part of our Phase II change-in-use (CIU) submission in Winter 2026.