Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

I have written two other articles about the effect of the off-highway vehicle, or OHV, community on local economies (see Standard-Examiner articles dated Oct. 19, 2019, and Jan. 16, 2021). The information was based on data collected from trail cameras on the Paiute ATV Trail System and telephone surveys. The extrapolated data from the four counties covered by this trail system gave an impressive picture of the economic benefit OHV people bring to the rural communities of Utah.

Telephone surveys don’t work anymore because of caller ID. From the data last collected, riders were separated into three groups. The amount of money per day spent by the riders increased according to the distance from the trail system to their homes.

• A rider from outside the state of Utah spent an average of $392.97 per day.
• A rider from within the state of Utah spent an average of $90.85 per day.
• A rider from within the four counties spent an average of $64.19 per day.

In 2017, groups were split with a third of the riders in each group. 2020 saw a change – 40% of the riders made up each of the first two groups with only 20% in the last group. When you do the math, all-terrain vehicle riders in 2020 spent almost $33 million riding the Paiute ATV Trails.

The outdoor recreation picture has been changing rapidly since the eyes of the world were focused on Utah in 2002 during the Winter Olympics. Before the Olympics, Utah was a state about which little was known.

Jason Curry, deputy director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, said that the 2002 event with all eyes glued on Utah opened up the possibilities for people who may have stereotyped the state. “Quickly, people realize there’s a lot to Utah in terms of outdoor recreation opportunity that way,” he said.

Lynn Blamires, Special to the Standard-Examiner

I began to see the results of that focus in 2020 on a five-day OHV ride from Kanab to Kamas. That was in the middle of the pandemic when it dawned on people that the safest place to be was outdoors in the backcountry. I think it marked an explosion of backcountry activity.

As we traversed the Skyline trail above the 10,000-foot elevation level, I saw numerous fifth wheels and camp trailers occupying prime recreation spots. Not only was it safe, but its beauty and solitude were discovered.

New economic data has been released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis that presents a clearer picture of outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive impact on Utah’s economy in 2022. Between 2021 and 2022, outdoor recreation grew from $6.1 billion to $8.1 billion in value-added dollars to Utah’s economy. That number for the nation hit $1.1 trillion.

The largest piece of that pie went to snow activities, which includes all of the snow resort interests plus snowmobiling for a total of $602 million. The rest of the major categories break out like this:

• RVing — $538 million.
• Boating and fishing — $438 million.
• Hunting, shooting, and trapping — $245 million.
• OHV activities including motorcycles, ATVs and utility terrain vehicles, or UHVs — $136 million.

These five categories represent the greatest economic impact. Each of the cities in Utah focuses on what they have to offer tourists.

Photo supplied

The small, rural communities have access to amazing OHV trail systems. Utah has over 80,000 miles of trail to offer OHV tourists whether they reside in or out of the state. $136 million is a huge and growing number.

These communities have a great opportunity to capture a piece of those tourist dollars with the jamborees they put on each year. OHV drivers come from all over the country to enjoy our trail systems and the amenities these towns offer. Jamboree events showcase our amazing backcountry, and no state in the Union holds more jamborees than does Utah.

I wrote about the first jamboree of the year last week. Ephraim will host the Arapeen Winter Tracked UTV Ride on Feb. 24. It will be followed by at least 16 more in 2024.

Curry elaborated on the impact when he said, “Communities across the state are experiencing the numerous benefits of our readily accessible landscapes, and we will remain committed to fostering a high-quality outdoor lifestyle that drives the outdoor economy and enriches the lives of all Utah’s residents and visitors.”

When you ride your OHV into the backcountry, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and make yourself known in a good way to the local people in Utah’s rural communities.

Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.

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