What About Other Routes In Utah?

The Utah Trail Association was founded to establish the Utah Trail — a trail that is vast, rugged, and unforgettable, created specifically for hikers, backpackers, and equine riders.

  • The Great Western Trail

    While we recognize the historical significance of the Great Western Trail, our mission does not align with efforts to revive it. The Great Western Trail was originally designed as a multi-use route allowing motorized access, and over time, it became fragmented, inconsistently maintained, and disconnected from the type of wilderness experience we are building.

    The Utah Trail is an independent project — not a restoration of a past trail, but the creation of a new, non-motorized, continuous route designed specifically for foot and equine travel only. Although we may utilize short, non-motorized segments that overlap where appropriate, our vision is fundamentally different: a trail crafted to highlight Utah’s backcountry in a way that is immersive, challenging, and enduring.

    The Great Western Trail is part of Utah’s history.
    The Utah Trail is Utah’s future.

  • The Hayduke Trail

    While we respect the adventurous spirit that led to the creation of the Hayduke Trail, it does not align with the mission of the Utah Trail Association. The Hayduke was never formally established through proper protocol with land management agencies, nor was it developed with official partnerships at the federal, state, or local levels.

    The Hayduke Trail is not recognized as a National Scenic Trail (NST) or a State Scenic Trail (SST), nor are there any active efforts to secure such designations. It remains an unofficial, conceptual route — a line drawn across the map by private individuals without coordinated planning for trail sustainability, user access, or long-term preservation.

    In many cases, the Hayduke crosses fragile desert ecosystems, private property, or lands where hiking access was never formally negotiated. It was not built with the necessary agreements, stewardship models, or infrastructure needed to support future generations of hikers.

    The Utah Trail is different.
    We are working directly with public land managers, respecting environmental protections, building relationships, and planning for the long-term establishment of a true designated trail — one that could, in time, meet the rigorous standards for NST or SST recognition.

    The Hayduke Trail is an adventurous idea.
    The Utah Trail is a lasting reality.

  • The Uinta Highline Trail

    The Uinta Highline Trail is one of Utah’s premier backcountry hikes — and we fully recognize its beauty and challenge. However, it serves a different purpose than what the Utah Trail Association is working to build.

    The Uinta Highline is a regional trail, confined almost entirely to the Uinta Mountains in northeastern Utah. It spans approximately 100 miles and highlights a single range’s alpine environment. It is not designed as a statewide or long-distance route that connects the many diverse landscapes Utah has to offer — deserts, canyons, plateaus, forests, and mountains alike.

    Moreover, the Uinta Highline is not seeking National Scenic Trail or State Scenic Trail designation, nor is it intended to serve as a unified cross-state experience. It remains an iconic regional trail, not a fully connected part of Utah’s broader trail network or long-distance trail system.

    The Utah Trail is different.
    It is being built to connect the vast, rugged, and unforgettable terrains across the full span of Utah — from desert lowlands to alpine high country — and to be accessible to hikers, backpackers, and equine riders alike over a true, statewide route.

    The Uinta Highline Trail captures a single chapter of Utah’s landscape.
    The Utah Trail seeks to tell the entire story.

Why Our Route?

The Utah Trail stands apart because it is being built the right way, from the ground up. Unlike other routes, we have already taken the critical steps to secure partnerships with land managers and landowners — including the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), State of Utah agencies, and local counties and municipalities. We are not simply drawing a line across a map or forcing a vision onto public and private lands. We are inviting these agencies and communities to be true partners in building something lasting, something that reflects shared stewardship and respect for Utah’s landscapes.

We are in it for the long game. We are willing to take the time to meet agency standards, to conduct environmental reviews, and to ensure the trail is sustainable, accessible, and protected for generations to come. Rather than rushing a vision forward without support, we are focused on creating a model of collaboration, one where land managers, local leaders, and outdoor advocates feel ownership in the success of the trail.

In addition to land partnerships, we are actively taking steps to forge alliances with local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations. By building a broad coalition of supporters — from conservation groups to recreation advocates — we are laying the foundation for a trail that is not only completed but celebrated and cared for long into the future.

The Utah Trail is not just a route; it is a legacy in the making.