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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah boasts a myriad of hiking and biking trails, which attract both locals and tourists from around the world each year.
From Zion National Park to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, outdoors enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of scenic routes while on vacation or in their own backyard.
Each year, new trails are under construction, and 2015 will see several more trails open across the Beehive State.
Chris Haller, the trails program coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources, said the new trails will offer diverse opportunities for people who want to access them.
“We believe that we need to provide those opportunities for people to participate in recreational activity in order to get them involved in what they’re passionate about,” Haller said.
Haller said Utah trails are equally important for adults, children and pets.
The unique flavor that exists across our state not only makes our home life a lot better, but also provides a tourist industry that is thriving in Utah.
–Chris Haller
“The unique flavor that exists across our state not only makes our home life a lot better, but also provides a tourist industry that is thriving in Utah,” Haller said.
The Utah State Parks receive a grant through the recreational trails program each year, and each trail takes approximately two years to complete. Each trail’s cost varies, depending on its width and surface, and most trails cost between $16,000 and $65,000 to finish, Haller said.
Here are a few of the trails slated to be complete in 2015.
Box Elder County
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge: Two new boardwalks over wetlands and one mile of new hiking trail
Bamburger Trail: A little more than one new mile trail that will eventually connect Willard to Perry. Trailhead: Immediately east of I-15 on Gentile Street, ends at Gordon Avenue.
Grand County
Grand County: 40 new miles of mountain biking trails
Summit County
United States Forest Service Heber Kamas Ranger District: One new mile for hiking on the Notch Trail
Related:
From burgers to 'Bloodiest Runner' award: Top 10 trail races in Utah
Thanks to the beauty, availability and diversity of varying landscapes, Utah provides many unique locations to host trail running races.Uintah County
Kiwanis Park: More than one mile of new hiking/biking trail within the county
Wasatch County
Wasatch Mt. State Park: Two trails connecting into 21 new miles of the Wasatch Over Wasatch Trail
Jordanelle State Park: Parimeter Trail extension for two miles on the east side of the reservoir
Wayne County
Goblin Valley State Park: Mountain biking trail
Weber County
Powder Mountain: First-ever biking trails
