The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation recently celebrated the successful completion of the 2024 trail maintenance season. Statewide trail crews completed 126 projects and improved more than 500 miles of trails across Utah.
“This year’s achievements reflect the unwavering commitment of our entire trail crew to enhancing the accessibility, safety and sustainability of our state’s renowned outdoor spaces,” said Carly Lansche, trails and planning program director for the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. “We are deeply grateful to our dedicated crews, partners and volunteers, whose hard work ensures that Utah’s trails remain safe and accessible for everyone to enjoy.”
Throughout the season, the statewide trail crew’s four regional teams – located in northern, central, southwest, and southeast Utah – undertook extensive trail maintenance tasks, including vegetation removal, tread repair, and clearing hazardous or downed trees. Most of this year’s work took place on U.S. Forest Service lands, with invaluable support from volunteers who contributed 436 hours – equivalent to nearly 18 days – of labor.
2024 Trail Season Highlights and Statistics:
- Trail mileage: 500+ miles of trail maintained, including 302 miles of motorized and 105 miles of non-motorized trails.
- Project breakdown: 126 projects statewide, 52% focused on motorized trails and 48% on non-motorized trails.
- Crew hours in the field: 10,000+ hours dedicated to enhancing trail conditions.
- Volunteer contributions: 436 hours from community volunteers across six key projects.
Recent Regional Project Highlights:
- Northern Utah: At Reservoir Ridge, crews partnered with the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation to install rock retaining walls, drains and steps, improving accessibility and incorporating ADA-compliant features.
- Central Utah: Following the Little Twist Fire, the Fishlake National Forest crew collaborated on reopening a major trail essential for local recreation events and hunting access.
- Southwest Utah: Teams tackled fencing and trail projects, removing over 160 trees from the Mortenson Trail alone in partnership with the Forest Service and local BLM offices.
- Southeast Utah: The Tuk Exit Trail, a new mountain biking path in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, provided the crew with hands-on trail construction experience, fostering valuable skill development.
Looking ahead to winter, trail crews will transition to supporting Utah’s Grooming Program, ensuring that snow trails remain accessible for winter recreation enthusiasts. For the DOR’s newest Trail Crew newsletter, click here. For those interested in winter projects or seasonal roles, visit recreation.utah.gov.
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