Utah has always been known for its great outdoor recreation. The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity stated that more than 72 percent of Utah residents participate in recreational activities. And with the diverse geographical regions, there are all sorts of sports to try.
Not only are these sports fun, but they improve our economy. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently released the data for 2023 to the Utah Department of Natural Resources on the outdoor reaction impact on the economy. They stated that “Utah’s outdoor recreation economy grew to an impressive $9.5 billion in value-added, now contributing 3.4% of Utah’s GDP and supporting 71,898 jobs”. The recreational economy has grown about 8.4% every year since 2012.
The biggest contributor to this economic growth is winter sports, but not far behind is OHV/motorcycling/ATVing and bicycling. These motor sports are so popular because of the abundance of tracks across the state. Some of them include:
Deseret Peak Complex in Toole
Rocky Mountain Raceways in West Valley City
Bunker Hill Motocross in Delta, UT
Jordan River OHV Park in Salt Lake City
Utah is also home to natural sand dunes that locals love to visit with their recreational vehicles. The most popular are Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and Little Sahara Recreation Area.
One reason people do not want to get into outdoor sports is because they do not have the equipment. A bike or an ATV can be pretty expensive if you’re not sure if it is something you want to do a lot. But, there are many places around Utah where you can rent a bicycle or an ATV.
After finding a place to go and getting your vehicle, you’re not ready yet to go out. As you are enjoying these fun activities, it is important for you to know the laws. Utah’s Divison of Outdoor Recreations has basic rules and laws when operating an OVH.
- Wear Your Helmet: this is mandatory for riders under 18. Wearing a helmet can save your life, and should not interfere with your riding, if it is worn correctly. And this is not just a bike helmet.
- Wear Other Protective Gear: gloves, over the ankle boots, and abrasion resistant clothing are important. They can protect the rest of you in an accident.
- Be Aware of Other Riders: when you are going around a bend or over a hill, watch for others on the trails and roads.
- Drive Sober: it is illegal to drive a OVH while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Have A Whip Flag: If you are riding in sand dune areas, you must have a red or orange whip flag.
- Lights On: from dusk until dawn, you must have lights on while driving.
- Make Sure Your Vehicle is Running Properly: You want to make sure that your vehicle is working well and has the fuel.
You should also be aware of the laws for drivers under 18. And make sure that if you can, you wear your seatbelt when in an all-terrain vehicle. You will avoid more injury in the event of a rollover.
As always, if you are riding out in the wil, respect nature and the wildlife. The damage done by off road vehicles can take years to reverse. Enjoy Utah’s natural resources and playground, but you should respect yourself and the land.
