Oil and gas leases threaten Old Spanish National Historic Trail in Utah

Utah Lease Sale Threatens 1800s Trail

A coalition of conservation groups is pushing back against a federal oil and gas lease sale in southeastern Utah, warning that at least 24 proposed parcels would cross or sit dangerously close to the Old Spanish National Historic Trail.

The 2,700-mile route once carried traders and pack mules through some of the most brutal terrain in North America.

Now the groups say the Bureau of Land Management is moving forward without following the legal protections Congress put in place for the trail more than two decades ago.

24 Parcels Cross the Trail Route

The proposed Utah 2026 Second Quarter lease sale includes at least 24 parcels that cross or lie near the Old Spanish National Historic Trail’s Northern Route in southeastern Utah.

Conservation organizations say these parcels put historic landscapes, cultural resources, and scenic values at risk.

The groups argue the Department of the Interior and BLM have not completed the legally required planning or environmental analysis before offering these lands for drilling.

Without those steps, they say the agencies cannot determine whether oil and gas development would interfere with the trail’s purpose.

Federal Law Requires Trail Protection

The National Trails System Act requires federal agencies to avoid activities that would substantially interfere with the nature and purpose of designated historic trails.

The coalition says this is a statutory directive, not optional guidance.

Under the law, oil and gas leasing should not be allowed if it would harm a national trail, and the groups argue it is entirely practicable for BLM to simply skip these parcels.

They want the agency to retract the affected leases and finish required trail protections before considering any drilling nearby.

Traders Hauled Wool 2,700 Miles

The Old Spanish Trail connected Santa Fe, New Mexico to Los Angeles, California and stretched roughly 2,700 miles across six states.

Traders used the route from about 1829 to 1848, hauling woolen blankets and tanned hides west and bringing horses and mules back east.

The trail crossed high mountains, deep canyons, and arid deserts, earning a reputation as the longest, crookedest, most arduous pack mule route in American history.

There were no wagons on this trail because the terrain was too rough for wheels.

Antonio Armijo Opened the Route

In 1829, Spanish merchant Antonio Armijo led 60 men and 100 pack mules from Abiquiu, New Mexico to California. He succeeded in blazing a direct route that had frustrated explorers for over a century.

Armijo’s woolen goods found eager buyers in textile-starved California, and the horses and mules he brought back became working stock for miners, farmers, and the military across northern Mexico and the American frontier.

Other traders quickly followed, developing alternative routes depending on weather and water.

Congress Protected the Trail in 2002

President George W. Bush signed legislation in December 2002 making the Old Spanish Trail the nation’s 15th National Historic Trail.

The designation put the trail under joint management by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.

Federal agencies are now required to preserve the trail’s character and work with state governments, local agencies, and private landowners along the route.

Few physical traces of the original traders’ path remain, but the trail is commemorated with historical markers and road names across all six states it crossed.

54,000 Acres Near Parks Also at Stake

The same lease sale would open 54,000 acres across 39 parcels to development near Arches National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, and within the Moab Master Leasing Plan area.

These public lands support wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and cultural resources that draw visitors from around the world. The Moab region alone generates about $262 million annually in tourism revenue.

Conservation groups and local officials have repeatedly opposed oil and gas leasing near these parks, and BLM has deferred similar proposals in the past after public outcry.

Drilling Brings Documented Health Risks

Research has linked proximity to hydraulic fracturing operations with a range of health problems.

Studies show people living near drilling sites face higher rates of asthma attacks, particularly during the production phase.

A 2022 multi-year study found children born within 2 kilometers of an unconventional oil or gas well had nearly double the chance of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Other research has documented links to low birth weight, reproductive problems, migraine headaches, and respiratory symptoms in communities near fracking operations.

Air Pollution Travels Beyond Well Sites

The health impacts extend beyond the immediate drilling area. Toxic petroleum hydrocarbons including benzene, a known carcinogen, have been found in air near wells.

Researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health found cancer risks were higher for people living within half a mile of drilling sites.

The conservation coalition warns that the Utah lease sale would bring park workers and visitors into proximity with these operations, exposing them to fracking-related air pollution that has been connected to lung disease, cancer, and blood disorders.

Certified Sites Let Visitors Connect

The National Park Service and BLM have certified eight official sites along the Old Spanish Trail where visitors can learn about its history.

These include the John Wesley Powell River History Museum in Green River, Utah, which sits near where the trail crossed the Green River.

Arches National Park has interpretive panels about the trail in its visitor center, and the 12. 7-mile Moab Canyon Pathway follows the historic route.

The trail passes through communities and wild areas across different land ownerships, so visitors need to plan carefully and research access before exploring.

Coalition Wants Parcels Withdrawn Now

The conservation groups are calling on BLM to retract the affected lease parcels and complete all legally required trail planning and protections before considering any leasing that could permanently damage the Old Spanish National Historic Trail.

The comment period for the June 2026 lease sale closed on January 15, 2026. But the fight over drilling near one of America’s most storied trade routes is far from over.

For now, it remains unclear whether the coalition’s letter will prompt additional environmental analysis or lead to deferrals.

Explore the Trail at Green River, Utah

The John Wesley Powell River History Museum in Green River sits near the spot where the Old Spanish Trail crossed the river, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the trail’s Utah history.

The museum features interpretive panels about the trail under a shaded outdoor pavilion overlooking the Green River.

Inside, exhibits cover the broader history of the Colorado Plateau, including a 25-minute film about Powell’s 1869 river expedition.

The museum is located at 1765 E.Main Street in Green River and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m.

Admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 5 to 12.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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