Beardall said off-roading allows him to see wilderness he otherwise wouldn't be able to access because of his disability. Rainer Huck, USA-ALL president, says he has ridden in the forest since he was 15 for the same reason. He favors the red rock canyons of southern Utah as his favorite place to ride.

"The claims of all this tearing up and destruction are greatly exaggerated," he said. "I ride off-road 10,000 miles a year. There are trails that I've been riding for 30 years that haven't changed, they look the same."

"It's really a shame when you see place after place being closed. A lot of these places will rarely be seen, because it's too far for most people to hike."

The Uinta National Forest has actually increased the number of roads designated for off-road use in the last 10 years, said Clark. There are now 300 miles of trails open to motorcycles and ATVs and another 1300 miles of roads in the forest.

Clark said there are also plans to create loops by connecting trails. The hope is that by creating more trails there will be less illegal use.

"We recognize it's a valid use and we try to provide for it," she said. "We just have to balance the needs of the environment as well."

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E-mail: jhyde@desnews.com