Utah Trail News & Updates

  • 06/18/2024 – The initial 20 miles of the proposed Utah Trail were hiked in the Mount Naomi Wilderness, following established trails.

  • 01/01/2025 – The founders drafted the initial Bylaws of the Utah Trail Association (Corporation).

  • 02/01/2025 – The Articles of Incorporation were finalized.

  • 02/05/2025 – The Articles of Incorporation were officially filed with the Utah Department of Commerce.

  • 02/09/2025 – The Utah Trail Association website was launched at utahtrail.org.

  • 02/11/2025 – The Articles of Incorporation were refiled with the Utah Department of Commerce to address compliance updates.

  • 02/12/2025 – The Utah Divisions and Commercial Code accepted our application to be recognized as a Non-Profit in the State of Utah.

  • 02/19/2025 – The Utah Trail Association filed IRS Form 1023 to gain Federal Recognition as a Nonprofit Organization in the United States.

  • 02/26/2025 – The Utah Trail Association began initial outreach to federal and state land agencies to discuss the feasibility of the Utah Trail and identify a preferred route. Conversations regarding land use agreements, NEPA processes, and approvals have officially begun.

    02/28/2025 – First contacts were made with Manti-La Sal National Forest and Bryce Canyon National Park, marking the beginning of formal discussions about integrating the Utah Trail with existing public lands.

    03/17/2025 – Utah Trail Association Biweekly Update: Manti-La Sal National Forest deferred the proposal to USFS headquarters. Bryce Canyon National Park agreed to study the possibility of integrating 40 miles of backcountry trails. Legislative outreach also began, with contact made with multiple state and federal leaders.

    03/31/2025 – The U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Region 4 invited the Utah Trail Association to present its trail vision and explore partnership opportunities across USFS districts along the proposed route.

    04/13/2025 – The Utah Trail Association unveiled a new brand identity: Vast. Rugged. Unforgettable. The association also updated its founding year to 2025 to reflect its official federal recognition.

    04/14/2025 – Despite federal resource challenges, land agency support remains strong. The Association will move forward independently, modeling early development strategies after the Arizona Trail, combining existing infrastructure to deliver a true thru-hiking experience by 2030–2035. Preparations are underway for trail cleanups, pilot hikes, and a revised trail proposal in fall 2025.