Author Archive

Fremont Indian State Park Museum Closing for Construction, Improvements

Posted on: April 7th, 2025

SEVIER, Utah — Fremont Indian State Park will temporarily close its main building beginning May 1, 2025, to accommodate upcoming construction work.  The construction is expected to expand and improve upon the existing museum, and will include enhancements and new additions to the exhibits, graphics, artifacts and more.  “We are so excited get started on […]

Ice Age Fox Found in Cave in Uinta Mountains

Posted on: December 30th, 2024

December 30, 2024  A nearly complete skeleton of a 26,000-year-old red fox was collected from deep in Whiterocks Cave. It is the most complete Ice Age mammal found in northeastern Utah. VERNAL, Utah — A team of scientists from the Utah Division of State Parks and the USDA Forest Service Ashley National Forest, along with […]

Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation and State Parks Warn of Cold Water Dangers as Temperatures Drop

Posted on: November 27th, 2024

November 27, 2024 Safety Tips provided to help recreators stay safe this winter season. SALT LAKE CITY — As colder weather sets in across Utah, the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) and the Utah Division of State Parks are cautioning those who enjoy Utah’s lakes, reservoirs, and rivers about the dangers of cold water […]

Cedar City Man Dies While Paddle Boarding at Quail Creek State Park

Posted on: August 25th, 2024

August 25, 2024 HURRICANE, Utah — A man died at Quail Creek State Park after falling from a paddleboard Friday afternoon.  At around 4:30 p.m., 49-year-old Pedro Castillo from Cedar City was paddle boarding out on Quail Creek Reservoir with his wife and daughter, who were camping with him at the park. Strong gusts of […]

Layton Man Dies After Incident at Willard Bay State Park

Posted on: August 11th, 2024

August 11, 2024 SALT LAKE CITY — A 38-year-old man died Saturday after an incident at Willard Bay State Park.  At around 4:20 p.m., Andre Leon Debose from Layton, Utah, was swimming and boating with his 17-year-old son and others when stormy weather began impacting the northwest of Willard Bay State Park near Eagle Beach.   […]

NOTICE: Administrative Checkpoints at Markagunt OHV Trail, Sand Hollow State Park

Posted on: July 19th, 2024

July 19, 2024 The Utah Division of State Parks and other partnering agencies will conduct an administrative checkpoint on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28. The first checkpoint will be located off Mammoth Creek Road on the Markagunt OHV trail in Kane County near Duck Creek Village on July 27 and run from 2-9 […]

Officials Break Ground on New Antelope Island Learning Center, Large Format Theater 

Posted on: July 11th, 2024

July 11, 2024 SYRACUSE, Utah — Local and state officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at Antelope Island State Park on Tuesday to celebrate the upcoming construction of the new and improved building.  This expanded visitor and learning center is set to revolutionize the visitor experience of Antelope Island State Park. The project will transform the […]

Nevada Man Dies in Incident at Sand Hollow State Park

Posted on: May 5th, 2024

May 5, 2024 HURRICANE, Utah — An 18-year-old man has died after a swimming incident at Sand Hollow State Park.  Just after 2:20 p.m. on Saturday, Christian Jeffrey Fisher from Las Vegas, Nevada, was swimming with friends in the dive park area at Sand Hollow State Park. While swimming, Fisher’s friends saw him struggle to […]

Scott Strong Named as New Utah State Parks Director

Posted on: February 26th, 2024

From: Utah Department of Natural Resources SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 23, 2024) — Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Joel Ferry has appointed Scott Strong as the new Utah Division of State Parks director. The Utah State Parks Board announced its support on Thursday. Strong has served as interim director since Jeff Rasmussen retired in December […]

Exciting Updates to the 2024 Utah State Parks Annual Day-Use Pass

Posted on: February 14th, 2024

February 14, 2024 SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Division of State Parks is excited to announce updates to our annual day-use pass for 2024!  Due to popular demand, the annual pass has undergone additional design and policy upgrades while continuing to be sold in a compact, wallet-friendly card style. The new design features the […]