Destination Development

A strong destination doesn’t happen by accident.

It takes deliberate planning and shrewd investment. It’s sort of like planting a garden. You don’t plant seeds and walk away. You prepare the soil, choose what belongs there, and care for it over time so everything can grow in a healthy, balanced way.

This is similar to destination development’s role, but instead of a garden, the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office and Tourism Tax Advisory Board (TAB) plan and invest in trails, parks, and other visitor amenities. At its core, destination development helps Greater Zion remain welcoming, functional, and enjoyable for everyone.

Development in Action

Trails

Completed

Missing Link Trail
SR-18 Veyo to Central Trail
Old Hwy 91 Multi-use Path
Sand Mountain Staging Area
Pioneer Park Trail
Grapevine Trailhead
Cliffrose Trail System
Washington Canal Trail

In Progress

Zion Corridor Trail
Hurricane 600 North Trail
Wire Mesa Trailhead Expansion
Revenant Trailhead
West Mountain Trail
Cliffrose Trailhead
Buena Vista Trail

Parks

Completed

Snake Hollow Bike Park
Santa Clara BMX Track
Enterprise City Park
Santa Clara Canyon View Park
Fire Lake Park
Canyons Softball Renovations
Little Valley Sports Complex Expansion
Hurricane Equestrian Park

In Progress

Washington Wheels Park
Hurricane Sports Complex
Thunder Junction Park Expansion
George A. Barker Park Expansion

Community Facilities

Completed

Tuacahn Center for the Arts
Dixie Convention Center
Springdale Plaza
Washington City Old Gym Renovations
Covington House Upgrades

In Progress

Sun Bowl Renovations
Zion Corridor Park & Ride

Destination Development FAQs

Where do Funds Come From?

Visitors fund destination development through a 4.25% Transient Room Tax (TRT) on hotel stays and vacation rentals. As well as Tourism, Recreation, Cultural, Convention, and Airport Facilities Tax (TRCCA). These taxes are reinvested into the community, supporting trails, parks, venues, and events. Additional funding comes from state and federal grants, private partnerships, and local government matching funds.

The Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office manages these funds under the guidance of the Tourism Tax Advisory Board (Tourism TAB).

Who Benefits?

Everyone in Washington County. It is like a snowball rolling down a hill. Each visitor’s dollar sparks more development, which attracts more visitors, the economy grows, and the cycle starts again.

Visitors

More trails, parks, and recreation facilities
Better accommodations and amenities
Easier transportation and connectivity
More activities and experiences

Locals

Improved quality of life with parks, trails, and sports facilities
New jobs and business opportunities
Tax relief, funded by visitor spending
Infrastructure upgrades that everyone uses

The Community

Job growth in hospitality, restaurants, and recreation
Increased business investment
A “multiplier effect” as tourism dollars support the broader economy

Project Gallery

Zion Corridor Trail

Generally following State Route 9, this paved trail project connects La Verkin to Springdale to Zion National Park. This ambitious project is approximately 18 miles and will include features such as an underpass, bridges and boardwalks.

Goal: To improve active transportation options in the Zion Corridor.

Funding: Estimated cost $13.5 million; $10.8 million from UDOT and $2.7 million from Washington County

Timeline: Expected to be completed in 2026. Currently in community outreach and input.

Partners: Washington County, Zion Regional Collaborative and the communities of La Verkin, Virgin, Rockville and Springdale

State Route 18 Paved Path

The State Route 18 paved trail project will connect Veyo to Central, running along the east side of SR-18, in combination with road widening projects.

Goal: To improve safety and transportation along SR-18, especially during signature events.

Funding: Estimated $2.5 million, funded by Washington County tourism monies.

Timeline:Expected to be completed in 2022

Partners:Washington County, St. George City and UDOT

Hurricane Trails System; 600 N. Trail

This paved trail project will connect Grandpa’s Pond Park to 200 West in Hurricane. Approximately five miles, it will partially follow 600 North and is considered a regionally significant trail project and is part of Hurricane City’s Active Transportation Plan.

Goal: Fulfill Hurricane City’s Active Transportation Plan, improve safety along 600 North, and help connect a regional trail system.

Funding: Estimated $2 million with costs split by Hurricane City and Washington County tourism monies.

Timeline: Three phases. Phase I will be completed in 2022 with additional phases over the next one or two years.

Partners: Hurricane City and Washington County

Sand Mountain OHV Staging Area (Waddy’s Parking Corral)

This project will construct a new staging area on the west side of Sand Mountain, improving another access point to this world-famous OHV area and including restroom facilities.

Goal: Provide space for OHV staging to access Sand Mountain.

Funding: Estimated costs of $300,000; Washington County tourism monies are funding $50,000 with remaining costs funded through state grants, monetary and in-kind donations

Timeline: Environmental Analysis is being conducted in 2022; updates via the Bureau of Land Management

Partners: Bureau of Land Management, Desert Roads and Trails Society, Hurricane City, Washington County and Sand Hollow State Park

Santa Clara Canyon View Park/BMX Track

Canyon View Park, located in Santa Clara and encompassing a BMX track, softball fields and other amenities, is getting trail, parking and restroom improvements in three phases.

Goal: Improve ability to host larger BMX, softball and youth baseball events by improving dust, mud, parking and other facility issues.

Funding: Washington County tourism monies have helped fund Phases I and II, contributing $260,000 of projects costs around $800,000

Timeline: Phases I and II are underway with completion expected in 2022

Partners: Washington County and Santa Clara City

St. George Little Valley Pickleball Improvements

Expand the Little Valley Complex with an additional 10 courts including a championship court with stadium seating.

Goal: Meet current and future demand for court space as well as allow for larger and more prestigious regional and national tournaments.

Funding: This project is expected to cost approximately $2 million. Washington County tourism monies will fund $1 million of this project.

Timeline: Expected to be complete summer of 2023.

Partners:: This project is a collaborative effort led by St. George City and supported by Washington County and numerous user groups.

St. George Little Valley Turf Improvements

Remove turf from three fields at the Little Valley Sports Complex. Replace that turf with modern, artificial turf.

Goal: Reduce water usage, provide off-season use for tournaments, lower maintenance costs.

Funding: This project is expected to cost approximately $3 million. Washington County tourism and recreation monies will fund $1.5 million of this project.

Timeline: Expected to be complete by winter 2023.

Partners:: This project is a collaborative effort led by St. George City and supported by Washington County and numerous user groups.

Spring Hollow and Grass Valley Mountain Biking Project

Construction of new mountain bike trails in the Dixie National Forest. To be constructed in phases over several years, the project includes 44 miles of new trail in the Spring Hollow area and 11 miles of new trail in the Pine Valley area, as well as trailheads, an event staging area and dispersed camping area. Currently underway, phases I and II will include approximately 20 miles of trail in Spring Hollow as well as a trailhead, dispersed camping area, event staging area and adaptive features.

Goal: To provide new mountain biking elements not currently available in Washington County such as accessible trails, cross-country trails designed to accommodate competition races, a downhill trail and a jump line. In addition to provide a trail system located at higher elevation to provide more options during the summer heat.

Funding: The estimated cost of Phases I and II are $384,000 and $1.3 million respectively. Washington County tourism monies have funded $800,000 of these costs. The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, through grants, has funded nearly $700,000 of these costs with the rest funded by the Dixie National Forest and donations from Trails Utah, Trail Alliance of Southern Utah and Vacation Races.

Timeline: Phase I is underway and expected to be completed in 2022. Phase II is funded and is expected to begin later in 2022.

Partners:: This project is a collaborative effort between Washington County, the Dixie National Forest; Pine Valley Ranger District, Trails Utah, Trail Alliance of Southern Utah and the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Hurricane Equestrian Park

This equestrian park is expected to include two arenas, restroom building, concession stand, pavilion, parking areas, announcers’ booth and walking trails.

Goal: Provide a larger rodeo venue for Peach Days, better accommodate new events and provide family riding space.

Funding: : The estimated cost of the full park is approximately $2.4 million. Washington County tourism monies will fund $308,000 of a $617,000 portion of the park including bleachers, restroom playground and nighttime lighting.

Timeline: : The Equestrian Park is expected to be complete in 2022.

Partners: : This project is a collaborative effort led by Hurricane City and supported by Washington County and various other stakeholders.

Keep up with Projects

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Learn more about the Destination Development Grant Program guidelines, application procedures, and funding availability.

Applications

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The Greater Zion Convention & Tourism team is here. Ask us a question or send a suggestion.