Utah State Parks recorded more than 12 million visits during fiscal year 2026, marking the third consecutive year the agency has surpassed that milestone. The surge in outdoor recreation comes as state officials continue to monitor the broader economic impacts of tourism across the state's various landscapes.
State Park Visitation Trends
The fiscal year 2026 data, covering the period from July 2025 through June 2026, represents the third-highest year of visitation in the agency's history. According to Utah State Parks, the annual number of visitors has more than doubled over the last decade, rising from 5 million to 12 million annual visits.
Scott Strong, the Director of Utah State Parks, stated that as interest in the outdoors continues to increase, the agency remains committed to providing recreation opportunities, well-maintained facilities, and park rangers to assist visitors. The agency currently operates 46 state parks across Utah, encompassing reservoirs, red rock formations, mountainsides, and museums.
This high level of engagement follows a significant operational shift for the agency. While the Utah Legislature established the State Parks and Recreation Commission in 1957, the division operated under a traditional, taxpayer-subsidized model for much of its history. However, economic realities in 2010 forced a transition from a heavily subsidized agency to a largely self-sufficient enterprise. Today, all fees paid at a Utah State Park are directed back into the agency to fund its operations.
Top Performing State Parks
Sand Hollow State Park emerged as the most visited location in fiscal year 2026, recording 1,408,754 visits. Dead Horse Point State Park followed in second place with 1,130,864 visits. Snow Canyon State Park ranked third with 919,545 visits, closely followed by Wasatch Mountain State Park, which saw 910,046 visitors.
Other high-traffic locations included Antelope Island State Park with 875,790 visits, Jordanelle State Park with 828,300 visits, and Deer Creek State Park with 635,592 visits. Bear Lake State Park and Willard Bay State Park recorded 631,502 and 560,945 visits, respectively, while Goblin Valley State Park saw 517,915 visitors.
Growth and Economic Research
Significant growth was observed in several parks, particularly Snow Canyon State Park, which saw an increase of 162,088 visits. Wasatch Mountain State Park also experienced a surge, adding 131,204 visitors. Utahraptor State Park reported an increase of 114,078 visits, while Goblin Valley State Park saw an increase of 58,145 visits. Sand Hollow State Park, despite already being the most visited, grew by an additional 51,349 visits.
This growth in visitation aligns with broader economic research conducted by the Utah Office of Tourism. As of July 13, 2026, the office maintained various research dashboards and reports to monitor the industry. These resources include data on visitor-generated tax revenue, lodging metrics, and the economic impacts of specific sectors like agritourism and the ski industry.
Tourism Impact Monitoring
The Utah Office of Tourism utilizes measurement-driven research to monitor industry metrics, marketing effectiveness, and the economic benefits provided to Utah communities. Research efforts include studying the economic impacts and trends shaping agricultural tourism and analyzing the contributions of out-of-state visitor spending to state and local tax revenue.
In addition to economic impact reports, the office conducts resident sentiment surveys to understand how local communities perceive tourism. These surveys have been conducted across various regions, including the Utah Valley, San Juan County, and the Park City area, to provide a comprehensive view of the tourism landscape and its relationship with residents.
Economic Data Resources
The state continues to analyze labor and industry data through various economic tools. The Utah Department of Workforce Services provides resources such as the Utah Economic Data Viewer, which allows for the examination of industry employment, wages, and job opening projections. This data is collected through programs like the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which utilizes reports submitted by employers to the Utah Unemployment Insurance program.
