EXPLORE Act: From Passage to Implementation
The EXPLORE Act is the first outdoor recreation package in U.S. history. It became law in January 2025 with unanimous, bipartisan support — and ORR was at the center of getting it there. Now we're leading the work to put it into practice: bringing federal agencies, Congress, and the outdoor recreation industry to the same table, and giving agencies the business and technology expertise they need to make sound implementation decisions.
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What does the EXPLORE Act actually do? A quick primer for reporters, congressional staff, and first-time visitors
Permitting
Makes it simpler and faster for outfitters, guides, and other recreation businesses to get permits on federal lands.
Infrastructure
Modernizes recreation facilities like campgrounds and expands broadband at recreation sites.
Data
Improves how federal agencies collect and share recreation visitation data.
Access
Expands access for more people, including people with disabilities and veterans, and adds digital passes.
ORR is leading implementation
Passing the EXPLORE Act was phase one. ORR organizes its implementation work around four actions, each backed by work already underway.
CONVENE
Bring federal agencies, Congress, businesses, technology companies, and recreation organizations together.
INFORM
Give federal agencies the practical business and industry expertise they need as implementation decisions are made.
INNOVATE
Connect agencies with recreation technology, data, and private-sector solutions.
ADVOCATE
Keep implementation moving through congressional oversight, agency engagement, and industry recommendations.
From passage to the second year
EXPLORE Act signed into law
President Biden signs the EXPLORE Act after unanimous, bipartisan passage in Congress.
DOI Secretarial Order establishes implementation framework
Secretary Burgum signs Order No. 3435, built in part on direct feedback ORR members brought to the Department. ORR members and partners join the signing at the Department of the Interior.
ORR hosts the inaugural Technology & Innovation Summit
ORR President testifies at the one-year oversight hearing
Jessica Turner testifies before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands at "EXPLORE America250," marking the law's first anniversary.
ORR convenes a national implementation briefing
FICOR agency leadership, congressional staff, and stakeholders from across the country join ORR's "One Year of EXPLORE" webinar on progress and year-two priorities.
ORR convenes FICOR and industry on data and technology
A first-of-its-kind meeting brings every federal land and water management agency together with recreation and technology companies to advance data sharing and interoperability.
Unified visitation report released; Section 133 pilots advance
The first unified federal recreation visitation report is released and Section 133 visitation pilots move forward. ORR submits comments on both.
What's happening now
The most recent milestones in EXPLORE Act implementation. Subscribe for updates in your inbox →
ORR Convenes Federal-Industry Dialogue on Recreation Data
April 13, 2026 Read moreJessica Turner Testifies on the One-Year Anniversary
January 21, 2026 Read moreORR Convenes Federal Agencies on Year-Two Priorities
January 29, 2026 Read more
What people are saying
This showcases the effectiveness of ORR bringing the industry together and the leadership of our members to accomplish real results and solutions for modernizing and improving outdoor access and infrastructure.
Without the tremendous and sustained advocacy of outside groups, we would not be having this hearing today. This is especially true of Jess Turner, who was a true champion of this legislation even back before it was called EXPLORE.
The EXPLORE Act opens opportunities and provides infrastructure to support recreational users and is vital to ensuring access to people of all walks of life who want to enjoy what nature has to offer.
We are thrilled to see Congress taking action to ensure each American has the opportunity to enjoy outdoor spaces in their own community, bolster economic growth, and advance mental and physical health benefits for all.
The EXPLORE Act includes provisions that will remove old roadblocks to access and enable more Americans to experience the joys of rock climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing on America's public lands.
Bicycling is a growing part of the outdoor recreation experience and the EXPLORE Act will make accessing the outdoors easier for bicycling and other outdoor recreation activities.
Help carry EXPLORE Act implementation forward
ORR members shape how federal agencies put this law into practice. Join the coalition leading that work.