**The 2026 Mountain West Trails Conference will take place May 18-20 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, hosted by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation in partnership with the Utah Trails Forum. Stay tuned for more information!**
Utah Trails Conference 2025
Utah Trails Conference 2025
Kanab, Utah | April 23-24, 2025
Wanted: Utah Trailblazers! We’re calling on passionate trail enthusiasts, builders, and advocates to join us for the Utah Trails Conference 2025 in Kanab, Utah on April 23-24.
This year’s gathering will celebrate the spirit of trailblazing with two days of exploration, learning, and innovation:
- April 23: Gear up for a day in the field with outdoor workshops, hands-on activities, and immersive training sessions designed to hone your trail-building skills. End the day with the annual Kick-Off Dinner! This year's dinner, presented by Kane County Water Conservancy, will be at Jackson Flat Reservoir, with live entertainment provided by the Chris Paul Band.
- April 24: Dive into a day of engaging content focused on trail building, maintenance, and laws that affect our outdoor spaces.
Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday, April 23
Field Workshops (bagged lunches included)
Day 1 of the conference will start with longer form field workshops in the form of technical trainings, educational programs and sightseeing tours. Planned workshops include:
9:30 AM: Check in for Field Workshops* (bagged lunches included)
*Attendees should plan to check in at the Kanab Center between 9:30am and 10:15am to check-in for your field workshop, pick up your bag lunch and arrange carpooling with other attendees.
10:30am: Depart for Field Workshops. Planned workshops include:
- Trail Layout and Design for Arid Landscapes
- Backcountry Horseman Packing Workshop
- Great Trails: An Introduction to the NOHVCC Great Trails Workshop and Guidebook
- Universal Design in Trail Building: Adaptive Mountain Biking
- Building Effective Partnerships - Grand Staircase Escalante Partners
- E-bike tour of the new Tilted Mesa Trail Network
- NICA Race Venues - Site design, construction and maintenance considerations
- Developing a trail ambassador program
- East Zion MTB Field Trip
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Tour
- Forest Bathing
- Pink Sands Jeep Tour
3:30 - 4:00 PM: Return from field workshops
6:00 PM: Dinner at Jackson Flat Reservoir
Day 1 will conclude with a dinner at beautiful Jackson Flat Reservoir, an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions to the Utah trails community and a chance to network with trail professionals and enthusiasts from around the state. will conclude with a dinner at beautiful Jackson Flat Reservoir, an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding contributions to the Utah trails community and a chance to network with trail professionals and enthusiasts from around the state.
Thursday, April 24
Refuel after a busy day of field workshops, network with friends and enjoy the keynote speaker(s).
7:00 - 8:00 AM: Breakfast provided at the Kanab Center
8:00 - 9:00 AM: Keynote - Sunny Stroeer "Voices from the Wild: How the Stories We Tell Shape Access to the Lands We Share - Celebrating 25 Years of National Conservation Lands"
9:30 - 10:30 AM: First Sessions
- Partnering with communities and land managers for diverse user groups.
- Ebikes - Utah's current trends and trajectory
- Fundraising strategies for small non-profits
- Educating OHV Enthusiasts New & Old
11:00 - 11:45 AM: Second Sessions
- Build a Trail Mix Committee
- Cultural Clearance Process for Trail Projects
- Preserving Utah’s Climbing Legacy
- Navigating the next steps: Examples of using AllTrails tools for funding, education, and resourcing
12:00 - 12:50 PM: Lunch provided at Kanab Center
1:00 - 1:45 PM: Third Sessions
- Backcountry Horsemen of Utah - Equine Partners in Service
- Trails and Trailheads in BLM National Monuments
- Utah Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail
- Building Sustainable Natural Surface Trails in Steep and Ustable Soil Conditions
2:15 - 3:00 PM: Closing and Opportunity Drawing
ALL DAY: Networking and Exhibitor Hall
Between sessions, you will have ample opportunities to make new connections and catch-up with old colleagues. It will also be a chance to visit our diverse array exhibitor booths, gather swag and top off on snacks and refreshments.
2025 Session Speakers
2025 Sponsors
Dinner Sponsors
Trail Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Exhibitors
Product Support
Sponsorship Inquiries
Hotels & Event Lodging
Holiday Inn Express
217 S 100 E, Kanab, UT 84741
(435) 644-3100
$139/night ($50 discount)
To book: call and mention the Utah Trails Conference or Powerhouse Events.
Best Western Red Hills
125 W Center St, Kanab, UT 84741
(435) 644-1675
Call to book. There is a block reserved for conference attendees.
Hampton Inn Kanab
98 S 100 E Kanab, Utah 84741 USA
(435) 644-8282
Click here to book at a discounted rate. Valid for stays between 4/23 - 4/25 . There is a block reserved for conference attendees, must reserve by 3/24/25.
Canyons Boutique Hotel
190 North 300 West, Kanab, UT 84741
(844) 322-8824
Call or book online. Use code TRAILS25 for 15% off between April 22-26.
Canyons Lodge
236 North 300 West, Kanab, UT 84741
(435) 644-3069
Call or book online. USe code TRAILS25 for 15% off between April 22-26
Welcome to Kanab - Magically Unspoiled!
Discover uncharted vistas, friendly people, exquisite cuisine, and exploration beyond your wildest dreams. Visit Kanab, and other charming towns in Kane County, Utah. Prepare to be blown away, because everything worth imagining is right before your eyes.
Get to Know the Area
Kick up some dirt, take in the fresh air, and discover Southern Utah with its many scenic wonders. With Kanab, Orderville, Duck Creek, and the rest of Kane County as a basecamp, you can explore the thrilling slot canyons of the Grand Staircase, the ever-shifting vistas of the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, a world-famous view of The Wave, and so much more.
Kanab and the surrounding communities are nestled in the middle of 3 National Parks, all a short drive from Kanab - Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon-North Rim. Make Kanab your basecamp and plan to visit all of them! From Kanab: Zion National Park - 40 miles Bryce Canyon National Park - 77 miles Grand Canyon North Rim National Park - 78 miles
Find A Place To Eat
Kanab's unique food scene is shaped not only by the local produce, but also by the locals themselves. Award-winning chefs have made Kanab their home while serving up traditional French, new American, vegan cuisine, and more. Leave the crowds behind, make Kanab your basecamp for Southern Utah adventures and dining.
