Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation Grant Programs

Pete CodellaArticles

The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) assists communities in building recreational infrastructure projects that provide Utahns and visitors opportunities to be active in the outdoors through the Utah Legislature-funded Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG). 

Since 2015, the grant has supported more than 155 outdoor recreation projects in 22 counties around the state. The UORG program has been awarded to more than 25 different outdoor activities, and 60% of UORG funds have been awarded in rural Utah.

New trails and other outdoor recreational investments often spur local economic development. Rural Utah communities have discovered having nearby recreation opportunities brings additional economic growth for support services like lodging and meals, adds to the quality of life for local citizens, attracts new residents and often leads to increased property values.

Grant Opportunities

New in 2020, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation is pleased to announce two new grant programs that complement existing funding opportunities.

Recently Completed UORG Projects

Listed below are three recently-completed UORG projects.

Old Fort Ponds Community Fishery (Vernal, Utah)

Vernal has a new community fishing pond where all ages can enjoy fishing. The ponds, funded in part by the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant, are home to both recreation and education and host fishing clinics, teach visitors about wetlands and get kids excited to be outdoors.

Click here for a drone introduction of the ponds.

Three Mile Creek Gun Range Short Range Pistol Venue, Trail and Park (Perry, Utah)

Perry City recently finished improvements and an expansion to the Three Mile Creek Shooting Sports Complex. The facility is used by both locals and visitors and has hosted state shooting championship competitions. The Utah Outdoor Recreation grant helped fund trail wayfinding signage, a short-range and more. 

Bridger Bike Park (Logan, Utah)

The recently-opened Bridger Bike Park is Cache Valley’s first dedicated mountain bike park. It features a wide range of pump tracks, dirt jumps and technical trail features that engage and thrill bicycle riders of any age and ability. Bridger Bike Park was made possible in part by the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant and strong partnerships between Logan City, Cache County and the nonprofit group Cache Trails Alliance.

Click here to see bike riders in action.

2020 Applications

Applications for the 2020 cycle open Jan. 15, 2020. For more information, please visit business.utah.gov/outdoor or email tmckee@utah.gov or indianielsen@utah.gov.