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Studhorse Point

Studhorse Point Trail Network Feasibility Report, Concept Plan, and Trail Alignment

Project Lead: Jake Powell

Fast Facts


  • Year: 2019
  • Client: Kane County 
  • Outcomes: Feasibility report, conceptual trail alignment plans, and on the ground flagging assistance
  • Status: Complete
  • Project Size: Less than 198 acres
  • Project Scale: Site
  • Impacts: The concept plan provided a vision of what opportunities exist for a trail network on the Studhorse Point Mesa. Subsequently, the National Park Service has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kane County to share future resources to construct the Studhorse Point trail system.  The trail alignment is currently being assessed in the NEPA review process in preparation for future construction. The plan and feasibility study was used to secure a grant for $40,000 from the State of Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation for the construction of the trail. This grant is to be matched with and additional $40,000 in funding from Kane County. The first phase of the trail (approximately 5.5 miles of multi-use trail) is scheduled to be constructed in the Fall of 2020.

Project Summary 

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area requested LAEP Extension’s help to plan and design the first purpose built natural surface trail system within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The planning effort and subsequent feasibility report provided the vision needed to acquire funding, complete a detailed design, and initiate the required NEPA review of the project. Once constructed (anticipated construction is Fall 2020), this trail system will be the first of its kind in the National Monument and the larger local area.

Project Description

Kane County and the National Park Service requested design assistance to identify options and create a conceptual design plan for a trail network near the town of Bigwater, Utah. The plan the LAEP Extension team developed detailed the first trail of its kind to be planned at Glen Canyon National Park. The concept plan and a feasibility report were provided to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in October of 2018. Furthermore, LAEP Extension staff designed and detailed the on the ground trail alignment based on the plan in the summer of 2019.