by ElevateUT
Introducing EXPLORE Disc Golf
A new open source initiative to expand disc golf on America's public lands using EXPLORE Act authorities.
501(c)(3) nonprofit initiative by ElevateUT
Disc golf on
America's public lands.
Where the wild things fly.
The EXPLORE Act created new federal authorities for recreation on BLM land. Disc golf fits those authorities unusually well. We're building the open source tools and partnerships to make it happen -- across 245 million acres.
245M
acres of BLM land
5
existing BLM courses
21.2M
annual rounds played
Public Lands 101
What is the BLM?
The Bureau of Land Management manages 245 million acres of America's public lands — more than any other federal agency. That's roughly 1 in every 10 acres in the United States, concentrated across 12 western states.
BLM land supports recreation, grazing, energy development, conservation, and wildlife habitat. Unlike national parks, most BLM land is open to dispersed recreation with minimal infrastructure — making it ideal for low-impact activities like disc golf.
BLM already recognizes disc golf as a recreation activity and manages courses in Oregon, Utah, and Nevada. But across 245 million acres, only 5 disc golf courses exist. The EXPLORE Act creates the authorities to change that.
245M
acres managed
12
western states
80M+
recreation visits/year
Federal Legislation
What is the EXPLORE Act?
Signed into law January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act (P.L. 118-234) gives BLM new tools for recreation development. Three provisions matter most for disc golf.
Recreation Inventory
Section 112 mandates BLM inventory all recreation assets and opportunities on public lands. Disc golf courses and potential sites should be part of that inventory -- creating a formal pathway to recognition.
Simplified Permitting
Streamlined permit processes and expanded volunteer stewardship authority (Section 341) make it easier for local organizations to propose, build, and maintain disc golf courses on BLM-managed land.
Community Partnerships
Good Neighbor Authority (Section 321) enables county and nonprofit partnerships to construct and maintain recreation infrastructure -- the exact model that built every existing BLM disc golf course.
Office Finder
Find Your BLM Office
Every disc golf proposal starts with a local BLM field office. Search by name, state, or browse to find the office managing land near you. Each office page includes contact info and engagement resources.
Find BLM offices near you?
Office Types
Field Office
District Office
State Office
Other
203 offices
AK (8)
AZ (15)
CA (23)
CO (19)
ES (5)
ID (17)
MT (17)
NM (14)
NV (21)
OR (32)
UT (18)
WY (14)
Proof It Works
Case Studies
Disc golf already exists on BLM land. These courses prove the model works -- and provide the precedent for your next proposal.
Approved OR
Barnes Grade Recreation Area
A 9-hole disc golf course approved in September 2025 — the first BLM disc golf decision in the EXPLORE Act era.
Applegate Field Office 9 holes
Built UT
Ironside Disc Golf Course
The companion 18-hole course at Three Peaks — playing at over 6,700 feet through Utah's granite and juniper landscape.
Cedar City Field Office 18 holes
Built UT
Three Peaks Disc Golf Course
An 18-hole course in Utah's Three Peaks Recreation Area — BLM Cedar City's flagship disc golf partnership with SUU.
Cedar City Field Office 18 holes
Take Action
Get Involved
You don't need permission to advocate for public lands recreation. Pick a path and start building.
Build a Proposal Packet
Use our AI-powered packet generator to create a customized engagement packet for your local BLM office -- complete with EXPLORE Act references, talking points, and site analysis.
Download Resources
Access one-pagers, letter templates, talking points, and step-by-step guides for advocating for disc golf on public lands. Everything is free and open source.
Updates
Latest News
Find your land. Build your course.
245 million acres of BLM land. A new federal law supporting recreation. The only missing piece is you.