Utah lawmakers are advancing two legislative measures that could expand public access to outdoor recreation through state-managed campgrounds and potential land acquisitions.
The bills, which passed unanimously in the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, establish frameworks for both initiatives.
House Bill 34 (HB34), introduced by Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, would allow the state to develop campgrounds without designating them as full-fledged state parks.
The approach aims to alleviate overcrowding in Utah’s state parks, which saw more than 1.3 million visitors in fiscal year 2024. The bill outlines a local approval process involving city councils or county commissions, as well as state legislators from the area.
“This bill does not create any state campgrounds. It simply creates the process by which we would evaluate and potentially approve state campgrounds,” Eliason said in a report by KSL.com.
“It is a bottom-up approach versus top-down, which we are all too familiar with.”
Eliason highlighted Utah Raptor State Park, scheduled to open later this year, as an example of how collaborative land-use planning can enhance recreational infrastructure.
That park was established through a coordinated effort involving multiple landowners and government entities. A similar cooperative strategy could be employed for future state campgrounds.
The second measure, Senate Bill 158 (SB158), proposed by Sen. Keven Stratton, R-Orem, directs the Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to conduct a survey of federal lands that could be leased or purchased by the state.
The bill limits the potential acquisitions to 30,000 acres annually, with an emphasis on public-benefit uses such as parks, fire stations, or other infrastructure projects.
“What this bill does is it’s an information gathering and a unifying voice within the state, under direction of (Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office) to track and provide resources and allow that (information) to be drawn upon,” Stratton said.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, these measures could create new opportunities by expanding recreation sites and distributing visitor traffic more evenly across the state.
With new sites potentially opening through local and state partnerships, campground owners can proactively collaborate with nearby businesses to enhance guest experiences and create additional revenue streams.
As the March 2024 MC Hospitality Highlights report suggests, identifying service gaps—such as equipment rentals, guided tours, and local events—can help operators differentiate their offerings.
If Utah’s campground expansion moves forward, industry professionals can leverage partnerships with local businesses to provide unique amenities, host special events, and drive regional tourism, ultimately maximizing economic and experiential benefits.
