From rural trails to city parks and off-road routes, outdoor recreation in Utah just got a historic boost. The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation announced this week it has awarded a record-breaking $23.2 million in grant funding—supporting 142 projects across every one of Utah’s 29 counties.
“This is a landmark year for outdoor recreation in Utah,” said Jason Curry, director of the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR). “These grants are more than just investments in recreation—they’re investments in community health, mental health, rural economies, and long-term stewardship of Utah’s lands.”
The grants were awarded through three programs: the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG), the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation (OHVR) Grant, and the federally funded Recreational Trails Program (RTP).
By the Numbers
- UORG: $17.9 million awarded to 84 projects
- OHVR: $3.3 million awarded to 32 projects
- RTP: $2 million awarded to 26 projects
The UORG program supports a wide range of outdoor amenities, from trail construction and water access to playgrounds and community park upgrades. The OHVR Grant funds critical improvements in OHV trail safety and access, while the RTP continues to bolster Utah’s motorized and non-motorized trail systems through federal dollars.
“In addition to record funding and reach, we saw a significant increase in the overall volume of applications this cycle,” Curry said. “Even more impressive was the quality of proposals. It speaks to the dedication, creativity, and innovation within Utah’s outdoor recreation community.”
Every County, Every Corner
From the red rock deserts of Southern Utah to the alpine peaks in the north, this funding reaches the full spectrum of Utah’s outdoor landscape. While project details vary—from backcountry trail signage to adaptive recreation infrastructure—the goal remains the same: increasing safe, sustainable access to the outdoors.
Since its inception in 2015, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant has now contributed more than $83 million to recreation infrastructure. The OHVR program, established in 2020, has funded over $19 million in OHV-related projects.
“This kind of statewide impact is what we envisioned when we created the Division of Outdoor Recreation,” Curry added. “It’s about creating opportunities for every Utahn to live a healthy and active lifestyle—wherever they are.”
For a full list of this year’s grant recipients, visit recreation.utah.gov/grants.
