Massive news out of the Utah Transportation Conference where Governor Spencer Cox announced a master plan to build thousands of miles of new trails across the state in what will be called the Utah Trail Network.
Gov. Cox addressed the crowd on Tuesday at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah, where he detailed the plan featuring 2,600 miles of new paved trails along with 500 miles of existing trails. The Utah Department of Transportation reports the new network will connect all 208 towns and cities in the Beehive State and 95% of Utah residents will live within one mile of the network.
“Utah builds for the future. We’re moving from vision to action with a statewide trail network plan so Utahns age 8 to 80 can walk, bike, or roll between the places they live, learn, and work.” –Governor Spencer Cox
In addition to connecting towns and cities. the new network will connect all 6 National Parks and 25 State Parks in Utah.
No timeline was established on Tuesday for groundbreaking or completion but it was established The Utah Trail Network would be funded through the The Active Transportation Investment Fund which was created by the 2023 General Session SB185. The Active Transportation Investment Fund currently has a balance of $138,708,393.
Governor Spencer Cox Statement:
“Today we released our plans for the most extensive trail system in the world: The Utah Trail Network. 2,600 miles of new paved trails and 500 miles of existing trails to connect Utahns of all ages and abilities to their destinations and communities. Once complete, 95% of all Utahns will live within one mile of the Utah Trail Network. Over time we will connect 208 Utah towns and cities, 33 universities and community colleges locations, 74 high-capacity transit stations, 6 national parks and 25 state parks. I’m grateful to live in a state where we still dream big and build big.” –Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox
Earlier in 2025, the Utah Transportation Commission approved nearly $95 million in funding to build and plan 19 new paved trails or complete existing trail gaps across the state. Several are already scheduled to start construction next spring with a flexible time window dependent on contractor schedules, supply availability and other factors like weather.
images from utahstateparks
