79-4 - State Parks
Title 79 > 79-4
Sections (36)
General Provisions
79-4-102 - Definitions.
(1) “Division” means the Division of State Parks.
(2) “Facility” means the same as that term is defined in Section 51-9-901.
(3) “Outdoor recreation infrastructure” means the same as that term is defined in Section 51-9-901.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
Division Creation and Administration
79-4-201 - Division of State Parks — Creation — Powers and authority.
(1) There is created within the department the Division of State Parks.
(2) The division is under the administration and general supervision of the executive director.
(3) The division is the state parks authority for the state.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
79-4-202 - Director — Qualifications — Duties.
(1) The director is the executive and administrative head of the division.
(2) The director shall demonstrate:executive ability; andactual experience and training in the conduct of park systems involving both physical development and program.
(3) The director shall:enforce the policies and rules of the division;perform the duties necessary to:properly care for and maintain any property under the jurisdiction of the division; andcarry out this chapter; andimplement the comprehensive plan for long-term public use of state park resources developed by the division under Subsection 79-4-203(12).
(4) The director shall acquire, plan, protect, develop, operate, use, and maintain park area and facilities in accordance with the policies and rules of the division.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
79-4-203 - Powers and duties of division.
(1) As used in this section, “real property” includes land under water, upland, and all other property commonly or legally defined as real property.
(2) The Division of Wildlife Resources shall retain the power and jurisdiction conferred upon the Division of Wildlife Resources by law within state parks and on property controlled by the Division of State Parks with reference to fish and game.
(3) The division shall permit multiple use of state parks and property controlled by the division for purposes such as grazing, fishing, hunting, camping, mining, and the development and utilization of water and other natural resources.
(4) The division may acquire real and personal property in the name of the state by all legal and proper means, including purchase, gift, devise, eminent domain, lease, exchange, or otherwise, subject to the approval of the executive director and the governor.In acquiring any real or personal property, the credit of the state may not be pledged without the consent of the Legislature.
(5) Before acquiring any real property, the division shall notify the county legislative body of the county where the property is situated of the division’s intention to acquire the property.If the county legislative body requests a hearing within 10 days of receipt of the notice, the division shall hold a public hearing in the county concerning the matter.
(6) Acceptance of gifts or devises of land or other property is at the discretion of the division, subject to the approval of the executive director and the governor.
(7) The division shall acquire property by eminent domain in accordance with Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 5, Eminent Domain.
(8) The division may make charges for special services and use of a facility or outdoor recreation infrastructure, the revenue from which is available for park purposes.The division may conduct and operate services necessary for the comfort and convenience of the public.
(9) The division may set reasonable charges to lease or rent concessions in a state park or on property owned by the division.
(10) The division shall proceed without delay to negotiate with the federal government concerning the Weber Basin and other recreation and reclamation projects.
(11) The division shall, to the extent possible, implement the requirements of this chapter from revenue the division collects from:charges for special services, use of a park facility, and use of an outdoor recreation infrastructure; andservice or regulatory fees.
(12) The division shall develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term public use of state parks and state park resources related to the:acquisition of land and resources;protection of state parks and the public;operation of state parks;maintenance of state parks and division resources; anddevelopment of state parks and division resources.In developing a comprehensive plan under Subsection (12)(a), the division shall consider:recreational utility;the public benefit in the historical, archaeological, and scientific resources in state parks; andthe health and wholesome enjoyment of the public.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
79-4-204 - Division authorized to enter into contracts and agreements.
(1) The division, with the approval of the executive director and the governor, may enter into contracts and agreements with the United States, a United States agency, any other department or agency of the state, semipublic organizations, and with private individuals to: improve and maintain state parks and the areas administered by the division; andsecure labor, quarters, materials, services, or facilities according to procedures established by the Division of Finance.
(2) All departments, agencies, officers, and employees of the state shall give to the division the consultation and assistance that the division may reasonably request.
Amended by Chapter 280, 2021 General Session
79-4-205 - Highways within state parks.
The division has jurisdiction over and responsibility for service roads, parking areas, campground loops, and related facilities within state parks.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
79-4-206 - Support of a nonprofit corporation or foundation.
The division may provide administrative support to a nonprofit corporation or foundation that assists the division in attaining the objectives outlined in the strategic or operational plan.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
79-4-207 - Division rulemaking authority.
(1) The division may make rules to:govern the use of the state park system, including to:determine when to close or partially close a state park; andestablish use or access restrictions within a state park; andprotect a natural or cultural resource in a state park from misuse or damage.
(2) The division shall make rules to:govern the collection of charges under Subsection 79-4-203(8); andimplement a program for veteran access to state parks as described in Section 79-4-1002.
(3) The division may not make rules that prevent the transfer of livestock along a livestock highway established under Section 72-3-112.
(4) The division shall makes rules under this section in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
Enacted by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
Finances
79-4-402 - State Parks Restricted Account.
(1) There is created within the General Fund a restricted account known as the State Parks Restricted Account.
(2) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), the account consists of revenue from:all charges allowed under Section 79-4-203;proceeds from the sale or disposal of buffalo under Subsection 79-4-1001(2)(b);civil damages collected under Section 76-6-206.2; andinterest on money deposited in the account as follows:25% of total interest beginning on July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026;50% of total interest beginning on July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027;75% of total interest beginning on July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028; and100% of total interest beginning on July 1, 2028, and each year thereafter.The account shall not include revenue the division receives under Section 79-4-403 and Subsection 79-4-1001(2)(a).
(3) The division shall use funds in this account for the purposes described in Section 79-4-203.
Amended by Chapter 77, 2025 General Session
79-4-403 - Golf revenue — Wasatch Mountain, Palisade, and Green River State Parks.
(1) The following charges are assessed in the following parks for playing nine holes of golf:30% of the revenue at Wasatch Mountain State Park;30% of the revenue at Palisade State Park; and30% of the revenue at Green River State Park.
(2) A charge in Subsection (1) is:in addition to a charge set by the division; andto be used at the park where the money is collected for:the upgrade or development of facilities; orthe purchase of golf course operation and maintenance equipment and operating supplies or materials.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
State Parks
79-4-601 - “This is the Place Monument,” Camp Floyd, old statehouse — Supervision and control.
(1) The division shall administer and supervise the following historical monuments: “This is the Place Monument” site;Camp Floyd; andthe old statehouse at Fillmore.
(2) The division may make expenditures for maintenance and administration from funds: made available by appropriation; orthat are available to the division.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
79-4-602 - Mountain Meadow Massacre site included within state park system.
(1) The Mountain Meadow Massacre site and monument is included within the state park system.
(2) The division may: enter into an agreement with the United States Forest Service for the use of land at the site as a state park; andreceive donations of land or facilities at the site for inclusion within the state park.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
79-4-603 - Iron Mission Historical Monument — Acceptance of gifts from Iron Mission Park Corporation.
The division shall accept on behalf of the state the Gronway Parry collection of horse-drawn vehicles, horses, harnesses, figures, costumes, and horse-drawn machinery of the pioneer era, the Melling log cabin, the Osborne blacksmith collection, and a metal exhibit building, all being gifts to the state from the Iron Mission Park Nonprofit Corporation.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
79-4-604 - Iron Mission Historical Monument — Acquisition of property.
The division may:
(1) acquire, construct, maintain, and operate any land areas, objects, or structures as necessary to preserve, protect, display, and enhance:the gifts described in Section 79-4-603; andother historical objects or collections donated, loaned, or otherwise acquired that appropriately contribute to the pioneer heritage of Utah; and
(2) acquire, directly or through others, by purchase, contract, lease, permit, donations, or otherwise, all real or personal property, rights-of-way, approach roads, parking and other areas, structures, facilities and services that the division may consider necessary or desirable to accomplish Subsection (1).
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
79-4-605 - Hole in the Rock included within state park system.
(1) As used in this section, “Hole in the Rock area” means the area of land beginning at Escalante, Garfield County to the western rim of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, extending eastward to Bluff Fort in San Juan County, following the trail used by Mormon pioneers to reach the southeastern area of Utah.
(2) The division may: enter into an agreement to acquire the Hole in the Rock area, or part of the area, as a state park with the United States Bureau of Land Management and the United States National Park Service; andreceive donations of land or facilities at the Hole in the Rock area for inclusion within the state park.
(3) In entering the agreement described in Subsection (2)(a), the division may: pursue a land transfer agreement with the United States Bureau of Land Management and the United States National Park Service;if a land transfer agreement is not possible, seek to purchase or lease the land from the United States Bureau of Land Management and the United States National Park Service through the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, 43 U.S.C. Sec. 869 et seq.; andfinalize an agreement to receive land by transfer, purchase, or lease, as described in Subsections (3)(a) and (b), if:the resulting state park, including the cost of law enforcement, would be financially self-sustaining;all current grazing allotments shall be maintained; andthe Legislative Management Committee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee approve the plan to expand the state park system by including the Hole in the Rock area.
(4) In pursuing state park status for the Hole in the Rock area, the division shall consult with affected counties, the Hole in the Rock Foundation, and other parties as appropriate.
(5) If the division successfully enters into the agreement described in Subsection (2)(a), the division shall negotiate in good faith with the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration to attempt to: purchase parcels of school and institutional trust land located within the boundaries of the Hole in the Rock area; orexchange parcels of school and institutional trust land located within the boundaries of the Hole in the Rock area for other parcels of state land or other lands administered by the United States government.
(6) The Hole in the Rock area shall be included within the state park system upon the division entering into the agreement described in Subsection (2)(a).
(7) Upon its inclusion in the state park system, the state shall be responsible for the cost of law enforcement within the Hole in the Rock area.
Amended by Chapter 108, 2018 General Session
79-4-606 - Little Sahara included within state park system.
(1) As used in this section, “Little Sahara Recreation Area” means the area of land in the Sevier Desert, approximately 55,905 acres, fully described by the map and legal description on file with the division.
(2) The division may: enter into an agreement for the use of the Little Sahara Recreation Area as a state park with the United States Bureau of Land Management; andreceive donations of land or facilities at the Little Sahara Recreation Area for inclusion within the state park.
(3) In entering the agreement described in Subsection (2)(a), the division may: pursue a land transfer agreement with the United States Bureau of Land Management;if a land transfer agreement is not possible, seek to purchase or lease the land from the United States Bureau of Land Management through the Recreation and Public Purposes Act, 43 U.S.C. Sec. 869 et seq.; andfinalize an agreement to receive land by transfer, purchase, or lease, as described in Subsections (3)(a) and (b), if:the resulting state park, including the cost of law enforcement, would be financially self-sustaining;all current grazing allotments would be maintained in their existing form; andthe Legislative Management Committee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee approve the plan to expand the state park system by including the Little Sahara Recreation Area.
(4) If the division successfully enters into the agreement described in Subsection (2)(a), the division shall negotiate in good faith with the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration to attempt to: purchase parcels of school and institutional trust land located within the boundaries of the Little Sahara Recreation Area; orexchange parcels of school and institutional trust land located within the boundaries of the Little Sahara Recreation Area for other parcels of state land or other lands administered by the United States government.
(5) The Little Sahara Recreation Area shall be included within the state park system upon the division entering into the agreement described in Subsection (2)(a).
(6) Upon the division entering into the agreement described in Subsection (2)(a), the division shall rename the approximately 9,000-acre area known as the Rockwell Outstanding Natural Area to the “Bill Orton State Wilderness Area,” with the ranch within the area being named the “Porter Rockwell Ranch.”The director shall recommend the Bill Orton State Wilderness Area to the governor for designation as a protected wilderness area, as described in Section 63L-7-105.
(7) Upon the Little Sahara Recreation Area’s inclusion in the state park system, the state shall be responsible for the cost of law enforcement within the Little Sahara Recreation Area.
Enacted by Chapter 134, 2017 General Session
79-4-607 - Utahraptor State Park.
(1) As used in this section, “Dalton Wells” means the land located in the area known as Dalton Wells and fully described by the map and legal description on file with the division.
(2) The division may: receive donations of land or facilities in the Dalton Wells area for the creation of, and inclusion within, Utahraptor State Park;engage in land transfers for land in the Dalton Wells area for inclusion in Utahraptor State Park; orpurchase land or facilities in the Dalton Wells area for inclusion in Utahraptor State Park.
(3) Utahraptor State Park shall be included within the state park system.
(4) The division may not open Utahraptor State Park to the public for use as a state park until the division has received sufficient funding from the Division of Facilities Construction and Management or from the General Fund to provide for capital improvements and any necessary land acquisitions.
(5) Land acquisitions and capital investments will be made at the park in a way that allows Utahraptor State Park to remain financially self-sustaining.
(6) Ongoing operations at Utahraptor State Park shall be funded through the Division of Parks and Recreation’s restricted fees account.
Amended by Chapter 369, 2023 General Session
79-4-608 - Lost Creek State Park.
(1) As used in this section, the “Lost Creek area” means the Lost Creek Reservoir and certain land around the reservoir, fully described by the map and legal description on file with the division.
(2) The division may enter into an agreement with the United States Bureau of Reclamation to manage recreational operations at Lost Creek Reservoir and to use the Lost Creek area as a state park.
(3) Upon the division entering into an agreement described in Subsection (2), the Lost Creek area shall be included within the state park system as Lost Creek State Park.
(4) Hunting wildlife in Lost Creek State Park is limited to waterfowl only.
Enacted by Chapter 160, 2021 General Session
this Is the Place Monument
79-4-701 - Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1) “Board of trustees” means the board of trustees of This is the Place Foundation.
(2) “Foundation” means This is the Place Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation formed pursuant to Title 16, Chapter 6a, Utah Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act.
(3) “Member” means a member of the board of trustees.
(4) “Monument” means This is the Place Monument at This is the Place State Park.
(5) “Park” means This is the Place State Park, property owned by the state located at 2601 East Sunnyside Avenue, Salt Lake City.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
79-4-702 - Agreement to manage — Management fee.
(1) In recognition of the need for private funds to continue the expansion and improvement of Old Deseret Village, a living history museum at the park, and the preference of donors to contribute to nonprofit organizations rather than government entities, the division may make an agreement with the foundation to manage, develop, and promote the park.
(2) The division may pay a management fee to the foundation.
(3) The division may not require the foundation to remit to the division any portion of the income generated from park operations.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
79-4-703 - Terms of agreement.
Any agreement made pursuant to Section 79-4-702 shall include the following terms:
(1) The foundation shall transfer to the state: title to any real property acquired by the foundation, upon completion of payment, if any, for the property by the foundation; andownership of any artifacts or collections acquired by the foundation.
(2) No fee may be charged to visit the monument.
(3) Except as provided in Subsections (3)(b) and (3)(c), a member may not receive compensation or financial benefit, directly or indirectly, as a result of the member’s service on the board of trustees.A member may receive per diem and expenses incurred in the performance of the member’s duties at the rates established by the board of trustees.A member may deal or contract with the foundation, provided that:no person or entity is paid any fee, salary, rent, or other payment of any kind in excess of the fair market value for the service rendered, goods furnished, or facilities or equipment rented; andat a meeting of the board of trustees or subcommittee of the board of trustees having authority to authorize or confirm the contract or transaction: a quorum of the board of trustees or subcommittee is present;the interest of the member is disclosed;a majority of the quorum votes to approve the contract or transaction; andin determining a majority under Subsection (3)(c)(ii)(C), the vote of any member having an interest in the contract or transaction is not counted.
(4) The foundation shall obtain an annual audit prepared: by an independent public accounting firm; andin accordance with generally accepted accounting standards.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
79-4-704 - Use of waters from Wagner Spring.
The division may use the waters from the Wagner Spring located on the park for any purposes connected with the upkeep and maintenance of the park, including the monument.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
79-4-705 - Agreement with public utility companies as to easements or rights-of-way across park.
The division may enter into agreements with public utility companies for the granting and maintenance of easements or rights-of-way across the park.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
Riverway Enhancement
79-4-801 - Provo-Jordan River Parkway Authority transferred to Division of Parks and Recreation.
All properties, rights, interests, powers, functions, duties, and obligations of the Provo-Jordan River Parkway Authority are transferred to the division.
Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 344, 2009 General Session
Pioneer Heritage
79-4-901 - Pioneer heritage of Utah — Acquisitions and operations by division.
(1) The division may acquire, construct, maintain, and operate any land areas, objects, or structures as necessary to preserve, protect, display, and enhance any gifts and other historical objects or collections donated, loaned, or otherwise acquired that appropriately contribute to the pioneer heritage of Utah.
(2) To accomplish Subsection (1), the division may directly or through others, by purchase, contract, lease, permit, donation, or otherwise, secure all real or personal property, rights-of-way, approach roads, parking and other areas, structures, facilities, and services that the division may consider necessary or desirable to contribute to the pioneer heritage of Utah.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
Miscellaneous
79-4-1001 - Purchase, trade, sale, or disposal of buffalo — Proceeds.
(1) In accordance with a plan approved by the division to manage buffalo herds on Antelope Island, the division may purchase, trade, sell, or dispose of buffalo obtained from Antelope Island through:competitive bidding; ora means as established by rule.
(2) Proceeds received from the sale or disposal of buffalo under this section shall be deposited as follows:the first 75,000 shall be deposited into the State Parks Restricted Account created in Section 79-4-402.
Amended by Chapter 153, 2025 General Session
79-4-1002 - Veteran access to state parks.
The division shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to grant free admission to state parks to an honorably discharged veteran who:is a resident of the state; andhas a current service-connected disability rating issued by the United States Veterans Benefits Administration.
Enacted by Chapter 376, 2024 General Session
State Monuments Act
79-4-1201 - Title.
This part is known as the “State Monuments Act.”
Enacted by Chapter 360, 2019 General Session
79-4-1202 - Definitions.
As used in this part:
(1) “Application” means a written application that an individual, non-profit corporation, government agency, county council or commission, tribal entity, historical society, preservation organization, or other interested group may submit to the division to nominate a historic landmark, historic or prehistoric structure, geologic formation, cultural site, or archaeological resource for designation as a state monument.
(2) “Committee” means the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee or the House or Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Standing Committee.
(3) “State monument” means public land: owned or managed by the state;designated by the state for preservation of a historic landmark, historic or prehistoric structure, geologic formation, cultural site, or archeological resource; andconfined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the historic landmark, historic or prehistoric structure, geologic formation, cultural site, or archeological resource to be protected.
Amended by Chapter 26, 2022 General Session
79-4-1203 - Division duties — Committee duties.
(1) When the division receives a completed application, the division shall:evaluate the application;as applicable, comply with the requirements described in Subsections (2) through (5); andprovide a written report to a committee that includes: the results of the evaluation described in Subsection (1)(a)(i);all resolutions described in Subsections (2) and (3);all comments submitted by a legislator under Subsection (4); andthe results of the division’s consultation with a state agency under Subsection (5).The division may:evaluate private and federal land with the potential to be purchased by, transferred to, or leased to, the state for potential designation as a state monument; andenter into negotiations with the relevant federal agency or private entity to pursue the transfer, sale, or lease of federal land for the proposed state monument, as appropriations allow.
(2) The division shall submit a completed application and the results of the division’s evaluation of the application to the legislative body of all counties that will contain some or all of the proposed state monument within the county’s geographic borders.No later than 45 days after the day on which a county’s legislative body receives the information described in Subsection (2)(a), the county legislative body shall:adopt a resolution stating the county’s support for or opposition to the proposed state monument; andsubmit the resolution to the division.
(3) The division shall submit a completed application and the results of the division’s evaluation of the application to the legislative body of any municipality that will contain some or all of the proposed state monument within the municipality’s geographic borders.Within 45 days after the day on which a municipality’s legislative body receives the information described in Subsection (3)(a), the municipality’s legislative body shall:adopt a resolution stating the municipality’s support for or opposition to the proposed state monument; andsubmit the resolution to the division.
(4) The division shall: submit a completed application and the results of the division’s evaluation of the application to each legislator whose legislative district is located partially or wholly within the geographic borders of the proposed state monument; andinvite the legislators to submit comments on the proposed state monument.
(5) If any part of a proposed state monument would fall within the jurisdictional boundaries of a state agency other than the division, the division shall consult with the state agency regarding the proposed state monument.A committee may not recommend a proposed state monument to the Legislature if designating the state monument may cause a state agency to breach a fiduciary, contractual, or other legal obligation governing management or use of land that would be included within the geographic borders of the state monument.
(6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the division may make rules and prescribe forms for the submission of an application and for the administration of a state monument, subject to valid existing rights and Section 79-4-1208.
(7) Except as provided in Subsection (8), after receiving and reviewing a report described in Subsection (1)(a)(iii), a committee shall: recommend the proposed state monument to the Legislature pursuant to Section 79-4-1206;return the proposed state monument to the division for further study and evaluation; orreject the proposed state monument.
(8) If a county or municipality adopts a resolution opposing a proposed state monument under Subsection (2) or (3), a committee may not recommend the proposed state monument to the Legislature.
Amended by Chapter 26, 2022 General Session
79-4-1206 - Designation.
A state monument is created by the approval of the Legislature and the governor through concurrent resolution.
Enacted by Chapter 360, 2019 General Session
79-4-1208 - Management.
(1) Subject to Subsection (2), the division is responsible for the management of a state monument.The division may contract with another organization, agency, or entity for management services related to the management of a state monument.
(2) Upon Title 63L, Chapter 8, Utah Public Land Management Act, becoming effective as described in Section 63L-8-602, the government entity responsible for management of the public lands is responsible for the management of a state monument.
Amended by Chapter 26, 2022 General Session
State Campgrounds
79-4-1301 - Definitions.
(1) “Application” means a written application that a person submits to the division to nominate a parcel of state land or an existing campground located on state land for designation as a state campground.
(2) “Campground” means real property made available to individuals for camping, whether camping by tent, trailer, camper, cabin, recreational vehicle, or similar equipment.”Campground” includes the outdoor recreational infrastructure, as that term is defined in Section 51-9-901, located on the real property.
(3) “Committee” means:the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee if the Legislature is not in session; orthe House or Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Standing Committee if the Legislature is in session.
(4) “State campground” means a campground:located on state land;confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the campground; anddesignated in accordance with this part.
(5) “State land” means land owned or managed by the state.
Enacted by Chapter 111, 2025 General Session
79-4-1302 - Application for state campground — Rulemaking — Division duties — Committee duties.
(1) The division may make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act:to establish the process for the submission of an application; andfor the administration of a state campground, subject to valid existing rights and Section 79-4-1304.
(2) When the division receives a completed application, the division shall:evaluate the application;submit the completed application and the results of the division’s evaluation described in Subsection (2)(a) to the following entities or individuals for review, as applicable:the legislative body of a county that contains some portion of the proposed state campground within the county’s geographic borders;the legislative body of a municipality that contains some portion of the proposed state campground within the municipality’s geographic borders;each legislator whose legislative district is located within the geographic borders of the proposed state campground; anda state agency if the proposed state campground is located within the jurisdictional boundaries of the state agency; andprovide a written report to a committee that includes:the results of the division’s evaluation described in Subsection (2)(a); andany resolution or comment the division received from an entity or individual described in Subsection (2)(b).
(3) The division may:evaluate private and federal land with the potential to be purchased by, transferred to, or leased to the state for potential designation as a state campground; andenter into negotiations with the relevant federal agency or private entity to pursue the transfer, sale, or lease of private or federal land for the proposed state campground, as appropriations allow.
(4) Except as provided in Subsection (5), after reviewing a report described in Subsection (2)(c), a committee may:recommend that the Legislature and governor approve the proposed state campground in accordance with Section 79-4-1303; orreturn the report to the division for further study and evaluation.
(5) A committee may not recommend a proposed state campground to the Legislature if:a county or municipality described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) or (ii) adopts a resolution opposing the proposed state campground; ordesignating the state campground may cause a state agency to breach a fiduciary, contractual, or other legal obligation governing management or use of land that is included within the geographic borders of the proposed state campground.
Enacted by Chapter 111, 2025 General Session
79-4-1303 - Designation.
(1) The Legislature and the governor shall designate a state campground through concurrent resolution.
(2) Notwithstanding the requirements described in Section 79-4-1302, the Legislature and governor may act under this section to designate a state campground.
Enacted by Chapter 111, 2025 General Session
79-4-1304 - Management.
(1) Subject to Subsection (2), the division is responsible for the management of a state campground.The division may contract with another agency or entity for management services related to the management of a state campground.
(2) Upon Title 63L, Chapter 8, Utah Public Land Management Act, taking effect as described in Section 63L-8-602, the government entity responsible for management of the public lands is responsible for the management of a state campground.
Enacted by Chapter 111, 2025 General Session