At Juniper Overland, we believe that being a responsible off-roader isn’t just about having fun—it’s about ensuring that future generations can enjoy Colorado’s trails just as much as we do today. Thoughtful land stewardship plays a critical role in keeping OHV trails open. When we make an effort to stay on designated routes and care for the land, we help prevent trail closures that can result from environmental damage. Protecting these trails benefits everyone, from casual weekend explorers to dedicated OHV enthusiasts, and ensures the longevity of our public lands for all.

That’s why we’re excited to sit down with Sam Logan from Stay The Trail, a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. Sam’s insights not only shed light on the mission behind Stay The Trail but also provide a roadmap for how we can all help preserve the natural beauty of Colorado’s trails.

Dylan (Juniper Overland): Sam, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us today. Let’s start with the basics—can you give us a quick overview of what Stay the Trail is all about?
Sam (Stay the Trail): Absolutely. Stay The Trail is really focused on one thing: keeping motorized roads and trails open in Colorado. We do that through education, promoting responsible trail use, and encouraging stewardship. It’s all about doing things the right way so we can keep enjoying these spaces for years to come.

Dylan: That’s great! How did you first get involved with Stay The Trail? What drew you to the mission?
Sam: Well, I’ve been a dirt bike kid pretty much my whole life, with some four-wheeling mixed in. The mountains and the outdoors are my happy place, and when you add wheels and horsepower into the mix, it’s just perfect. But in high school, I started noticing that some people weren’t treating these spots right. I realized that all the places I loved to ride and camp could disappear if people didn’t change their behavior.

In college, I learned about Stay The Trail through some information on a new land-use program. I was immediately interested, dug deeper, and eventually became an intern. That was over ten years ago, and I’ve been involved ever since.

Dylan: Wow, that’s quite a journey! What would you say are the key challenges that Stay the Trail is addressing right now in Colorado?
Sam: There are a lot of challenges, but one of the biggest is the increase in recreation since the pandemic. We saw a huge influx of new users on the trails, especially motorized users. Many of these folks had never spent much time in the mountains before, so they don’t always have the basics of outdoor and off-road etiquette down. That’s where our education efforts come in.

We put boots on the ground to engage with people directly where they recreate. Whether it’s at staging areas, on the trails, or through stewardship and volunteer projects, we’re out there working to educate people about responsible trail use.

Dylan: That makes total sense. I imagine you also work with local communities and government agencies. How do those partnerships help promote responsible OHV use?
Sam: Oh, for sure. The public roads and trails we all love are managed by federal agencies, so we’ve built strong relationships with groups like the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and local towns. These partnerships are crucial because they allow us to work directly with the land managers to improve, maintain, and educate users—all with the goal of keeping trails open and healthy.

Dylan: Do you have a favorite project or initiative that stands out from your time at Stay The Trail?
Sam: Yeah, I’d say one of my favorites is a statewide mapping campaign we recently launched. We noticed a real need for better maps, especially the ones you see at staging areas. Working with local land managers and OHV trail crews, we’ve been able to develop and publish new maps that are specifically focused on off-roading. So far, we’ve got seven new maps out there and two more in the works. It’s been great seeing how much people appreciate having clearer, more useful information when they’re out on the trails.

Dylan: That sounds like a huge step forward. So, what’s next for Stay The Trail? And how can our readers get involved and help out?
Sam: Looking ahead, we really want to emphasize that the motorized community is incredibly diverse. We’ve got 4x4s, ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes—you name it. But it’s so important that we all work together. We’re incredibly lucky in Colorado to have hundreds of public roads and trails open for us to enjoy.

The big picture is this: stay on the trail, don’t damage resources, spread the message, and have fun. Readers can get involved by volunteering for trail cleanups, donating to support the cause, or even just being a responsible trail user and encouraging others to do the same.

Dylan: I love that message—it's simple but impactful. Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us, Sam. We’re excited to get the word out and continue supporting Stay The Trail!

If you’re passionate about preserving Colorado’s beautiful public lands and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same access to motorized trails, consider getting involved with Stay The Trail. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the message of responsible trail use, we all have a part to play.

Here is a link to learn more about Stay The Trail and donate to their efforts to keep your trails open: https://staythetrail.org/

Stay tuned for our follow-up post, where we’ll dive deeper into responsible overlanding tips with Sam as we co-host a video at 14er Fest!