TAKEAWAY
With local input, a comprehensive database of Utah’s outdoor recreation assets is now being compiled to help develop a statewide recreation strategic plan.
In 2021, the state’s park system reported over 11.6 million visits, and national parks in Utah had another 11.3 million.
Utah is home to some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation destinations in the world. While outdoor recreation assets improve residents’ quality of life and bolster the state’s tourism economy, they are also at risk of being degraded as the number of people hiking, biking, and camping continues to boom. In 2021, the state’s park system reported over 11.6 million visits, and national parks in Utah reported another 11.3 million (Figure 1F.1). The number of people setting out on adventures into Utah’s backcountry will almost certainly rise in the years to come, as the state’s population swells from 3.5 million in 2022 to a projected 5.5 million in 2060.
Realizing a need to chart a strategic and unified path forward, the state legislature created the Utah Outdoor Adventure Commission in 2020 and tasked it with developing an authoritative, comprehensive, and up-to-date database of outdoor recreation assets within Utah. The commission was asked to use the database for development of a statewide outdoor recreation strategic plan. The Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism at Utah State University has partnered on the project, leading both the development of the outdoor recreation asset database and the strategic planning effort.
The institute has held regional workshops, inviting a wide range of recreation leaders—state and federal land managers, elected officials, private industry representatives, and the public—with a goal to better understand the shared challenges, opportunities, and needs being experienced around the state. This input will ensure the statewide strategic plan is responsive to the needs of local stakeholders. A diverse portfolio of outdoor experiences, fueled by state investments in outdoor recreation, will help ensure Utahns continue to live active and adventurous lifestyles for decades to come.
