ST. GEORGE — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area could see its first multiuse trail.
The National Park Service is seeking public comment and initiating a draft environmental assessment to analyze authorizing bicycle use on the Stud Horse Trail network. The project area is located adjacent to U.S. Route 89 in Utah and Arizona in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, according to a recent news release issued by the park service.
The Stud Horse Mesa, where the project is located, is a popular destination due to its “really amazing views” and the access it provides to the Skylight Arch, Kendall Neisess, an outdoor recreation planner at the recreation area, said.
Due to its popularity, it has attracted off-roaders who established trackways that look like roads, which could be confusing to other visitors. And Neisess said the park service used this as an opportunity in 2019 to better manage the area and prevent increased off-road travel, which is illegal, while still providing recreational access for others.
The park service worked with Kane County and obtained grant money from Utah, enabling them to convert existing trackways into a network of trails for hiking, Neisess said.
“Even prior to that, the park has really been focused on trying to increase our land-based recreation opportunities,” she said. “Everyone knows us for Lake Powell, but our park is 1.25 million acres and only a small portion of that is Lake Powell. There’s a lot more to explore.”
The recreation area wanted to provide a “diverse range of opportunity” for recreation in the region, including multiuse trails, but does not currently have a bicycle trail, Neisess said.
“The most exciting thing or interesting thing about it is just that it would be our first bike trail, our first multiuse trail,” she said. “As it stands, the only opportunities for cycling within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are on our established legal roads … and that’s a really popular activity in this region with our visitors.”
The majority of the project area is in Utah, with a small portion in Arizona, so the park service worked with multiple partners, including Kane County, Coconino County, at least one private land owner and both the Utah and Arizona Bureau of Land Management offices, Neisess said.
“Everyone’s on board,” she said. “And everyone’s been super helpful.”
The trail is currently open to hikers but Neisess said those interested in visiting the area should travel in a high-clearance vehicle.
Draft environmental assessment
The project is in its scoping phase and comments are being accepted online or by mail, the release states. Scoping is an opportunity for public engagement during the early planning process as “the NPS develops a range of alternatives for the draft Environmental Assessment,” the release adds.
Drafting the assessment is the next step, Neisess said.
The National Environmental Policy Act requires the park service to analyze potential impacts on various resources cultural and environmental resources, including wildlife concerns, like how the project might affect endangered or special-status species. Additionally, Neisess said that cultural resources are “often among the most sensitive resources” and among the service’s highest concerns.
As part of the analysis, the park service consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, local or affiliated tribes and both the Arizona and Utah State Historic Preservation Offices in 2020 to ensure there were no serious concerns with the project.
“And gratefully – thankfully – everyone was supportive and on board,” she said. “We haven’t had any issues.”
The service will contact these organizations again as they work through the end process, Neisess added.
Making a public comment
The park service encourages members of the public to send comments online or by mail to: Superintendent, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, Arizona, 86040. The comment period is open until Dec. 16.
Particularly useful comments might include alternative approaches or ideas on how to accomplish the project’s goals and environmental and socioeconomic issues that should be considered. Additionally, comments concerning other projects that could impact or be impacted, relevant data, and concerns about park conditions or activities, and possible solutions to those, are also helpful, according to the recreation area’s guide on how to make a public comment.
“We’re open to anything, really,” Neisess said. “Even if people just want to provide their general thoughts.”
Comments submitted in person or via fax or email won’t be accepted, according to the release.
To educate the public on the proposed action and provide comments, the park service will host an open house on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 5-7 p.m. at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Headquarters.
“We look forward to answering questions and receiving comment cards about the project,” the release states.
Additionally, once the draft environmental assessment is complete, the park service plans to open an additional public comment period, Neisess said. At that time, a news release will be issued to announce that the draft Environmental Assessment was published and made available on the planning website, where those interested can submit additional comments.
Open House details
What: National Park Service Open House and presentation on proposed action on the Stud Horse Trail network and providing public comments
When: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 5-7 p.m.
Where: The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Headquarters in the training room at 691 Scenic View Drive, Page, AZ
To learn more about submitting a public comment, view the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area’s guide. For more information about the project, visit the National Park Service’s website.
Photo Gallery
The Stud Horse Mesa as seen from above, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News The Stud Horse Mesa as seen from above, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News The view from the Stud Horse Mesa, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News Hikers on the Stud Horse Mesa, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News A trail on the Stud Horse Mesa, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News The Studhorse Trail area, located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans from Arizona to Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of the National Park Service, St. George News 
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