Office of Outdoor Recreation

We help Utahns live healthy and active lifestyles through outdoor recreation.

View Office of Outdoor Recreation Grants

Outdoor recreation contributes more than $6.4B to the economy, employs more than 83,000 people, and is the primary driver behind the tourism industry. Not only does Utah outdoor recreation create $737 million in state and local tax revenues, but it's also the reason for $3.2B in wages and salaries.

In 2013, recognizing the significant contribution of outdoor products and recreation to Utah's economy and quality of life, Gov. Gary Herbert created the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation — the first such office in the nation.

The office is working to establish a nationwide recreation management standard. It's also responsible for ensuring that the state's natural assets can sustain economic growth for years to come.

The private sector is a crucial partner in Utah's success, and our state is committed to responsibly partnering with the business community.

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Natural Assets

Utah's natural wonders have attracted outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. These assets include 34 million acres of public land, five National Parks, 44 State Parks, 15 ski resorts, thousands of miles of world-class mountain bike trails, and more.

Utah Outdoor Summit

Utah's Outdoor Companies

Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG)

Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee

Utah Trails Forum

Utah’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative

Outdoor Recreation Benefits Library

Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education Grant (UCORE)

Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant (RRI)

Videos

Outdoor recreation is more popular than ever (yay!) but more people can equal more poop – and that’s a problem. In this event, will learn why this is a problem, communication strategies currently in use (such as Gotta Go Utah), and takeaways to implement in your community.

This Summit Speaker Series’ experts are:

Hope Braithwaite, Assistant Professor for Watershed Quality with Utah State University
Bekee Hotze, Forest Service District Ranger for the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Salt Lake Ranger District
Stephanie Wacha, Education Director for Friends of Cedar Mesa

The spread of COVID-19 throughout Utah has dramatically altered how the state’s residents, as well as visitors, participate in outdoor recreation. This panel discussion provides insights into how outdoor recreation participation within the state has changed throughout the pandemic. We bring together perspectives from a municipal park and trail system, Utah State Parks, and university researchers looking into visitation patterns and behaviors in Arches National Park. The discussion will focus on: (1) How the amount and type of outdoor recreation within the state has changed as a result of the pandemic; (2) What outdoor recreation planners and managers have done to respond to these changes; and (3) The unintended consequences of early policy and planning decisions (e.g., regional or county-wide visitation restrictions, facility closures, etc.).

Business Assets

In addition to the natural resources that make Utah a great fit for outdoor recreation, Utah provides fertile soil for outdoor recreation companies. Our office can refer businesses to market expansion services, international export advice, rural manufacturing incentives, business retention and relocation incentives, innovation grants, product testing, patent support, and more.