New Trail Park Set to Open in Desert Color This Fall

Mountain biking enthusiasts will soon have an exciting new place to ride as a brand-new trail park prepares to open in the Desert Color community this fall. Developed through a partnership between the Greater Zion Convention and Tourism Office, Desert Color, and the Utah Trust Lands Administration, the park is located north of State Route 7 and west of River Road. Construction is progressing well, and the new recreation area is expected to welcome riders later this year.

Designed with both local riders and visiting competitors in mind, the trail park will feature approximately six miles of mountain bike-optimized trails for beginning and intermediate skill levels. The course was created in collaboration with the Utah High School Cycling League and meets National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) racecourse standards, making it an ideal venue for youth mountain biking competitions and community cycling events.

The park will also include convenient parking and a dedicated event area capable of hosting races, festivals, and other outdoor gatherings. When organized events are not taking place, the trails will remain open to the public, providing residents and visitors with a year-round destination for recreation, fitness, and outdoor adventure.

One of the most unique aspects of the project is its funding. The trail park is being built using visitor-generated transient room tax revenue collected from hotel stays throughout Washington County. It's a great example of how tourism dollars are reinvested into the community, creating lasting amenities that improve the quality of life for local residents while enhancing Greater Zion's reputation as a premier outdoor destination.

County leaders plan to continue expanding and improving the park as the Desert Color area grows. According to Greater Zion Executive Director Brittany McMichaels, the project demonstrates how tourism directly benefits the community by creating high-quality recreational opportunities. Desert Color General Manager Daniel Lemich added that the partnership has been years in the making and represents an investment that future generations of riders and families will enjoy for years to come.