BLM Announces Temporary Land Closures for 2026 Parker 400 Race

The Bureau of Land Management’s Lake Havasu Field Office has announced that selected public lands in and around the Parker 400 racecourse will be temporarily closed or restricted to the public from 11:59 p.m. Jan. 12 until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 18, 2026. Access points will be designated as closed, restricted, or spectator areas and will be marked with signs, fencing or barriers to guide visitors.

The closures are being implemented as a safety precaution for the UNLTD Parker 400 event and to support the safe movement of race participants and attendees. Under BLM procedures, special recreation permits for events of this scale require organizers to comply with all federal, state and local laws, ordinances, orders and regulations. The agency framed the restrictions as temporary measures intended to ensure safe and successful events while balancing public use of the lands.

For La Paz County residents and visitors, the restrictions mean that routine recreation and access plans may need to be adjusted during the specified week. The announcement affects public land use in and around the racecourse, where normally accessible terrain will be limited to designated spectator zones or closed off entirely. Signage and physical barriers will be in place at key access points to indicate where entry is prohibited or limited.

The Parker 400 draws participants and spectators who can provide an economic boost to nearby businesses, but large events also require land managers to weigh community access against safety and logistical needs. The BLM’s action highlights the agency’s role as the steward of a vast public estate: the agency manages about 245 million acres of public land, primarily in 12 western states including Alaska, and administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate nationwide. The BLM’s mission to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of public lands informs decisions that restrict access temporarily for events or resource protection.

A 2026 Parker 400 Closure Map (PDF, 4.0 MB) accompanies the announcement to help residents and visitors identify impacted areas. Anyone seeking clarification on boundaries, permitted spectator areas, or enforcement during the closure period should contact the Lake Havasu Field Office at 928-505-1200. Planning ahead for alternate recreation routes and checking the map can help minimize disruption during the race week and ensure compliance with the temporary restrictions.