SALT LAKE CITY (April 25, 2025) – The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) has announced the selection of Wade Allinson as the new Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program Manager, following a competitive search process that attracted a strong pool of highly qualified candidates with decades of experience in OHV recreation and management.
“Wade brings an unmatched depth of knowledge and passion for responsible OHV recreation,” said Jason Curry, director of the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. “His track record of trail development, public lands stewardship and collaboration with state, federal and local partners, and clubs and organizations, makes him a great addition to our team and to Utah’s OHV community. We are thrilled to welcome him to the role.”
In his new role, Allinson will lead DOR’s OHV Program, which oversees safety, education, trail planning and maintenance, grants administration, policy coordination and interagency partnerships. His leadership comes at a crucial time as Utah continues to see record growth in OHV use and works to balance access, stewardship, safety and education, and community engagement.
Allinson has nearly four decades of experience in outdoor recreation, natural resource management and law enforcement. He most recently served as Recreation Manager on the Manti-La Sal National Forest, where he supervised a team of 14 and oversaw the Arapeen Trail System – Utah’s second-largest OHV network. In that role, he managed five federal and state recreation grants totaling over $150,000 and coordinated work projects with volunteers, counties and trail groups.
Previously, Allinson spent 29 years with the Utah Department of Corrections, ultimately serving as Region Chief for Southeastern Utah. He also served on Utah’s OHV Advisory Council for eight years, reviewing state and federal OHV grant proposals and helping guide funding decisions for millions of dollars in trail development and safety initiatives.
A lifelong OHV enthusiast, Allinson is a founding member of the Arapeen Trail System, a certified ATV Safety Institute instructor and a longtime member of several OHV and search and rescue organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology from Weber State University.
“Utah’s OHV community is part of the cultural fabric of our state, and I’m honored to take on this role in support of that legacy,” said Allinson. “I’m committed to building partnerships, promoting rider safety and ensuring that Utah’s world-class trail systems remain accessible and sustainable for generations to come.”
The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, part of the Department of Natural Resources, oversees a broad portfolio of programs that support and expand outdoor recreation across the state. These include Utah’s OHV and Boating Programs, planning and trail development, and outdoor recreation grants. The division’s focus areas include improving recreational access, enhancing safety, supporting stewardship and strengthening the state’s outdoor recreation economy.