Deer Creek Reservoir Trail Feasibility Study Overview

UDOT is studying improvements to the unpaved trail on the west side of Deer Creek Reservoir in coordination with Wasatch County, Deer Creek State Park, Wasatch Mountain State Park, Bureau of Reclamation, Heber Valley Historic Railroad, and nearby property owners. The study will look at options to create a 6.75-mile paved path between the Wasatch Mountain State Park and Deer Creek Dam trail heads. Also the study will explore ways to retain an unpaved option for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The effort will use a topographic survey and updated environmental review to guide future design and eventual construction.

The Utah Trail Network is being built to create a continuous system of paved, shared-use paths designed for walking, biking, and other non-motorized travel. These paths will link communities across Utah, like a highway system. They provide safe, comfortable, and reliable alternatives to driving. To learn more about the Utah Trail Network, please visit: https://utahtrailnetwork.udot.utah.gov/. The Deer Creek Reservoir Trail segment plays a key role, connecting the Heber Valley and Provo Canyon, that helps complete a major loop of trails that will eventually span the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back. Once constructed, this trail will improve local mobility and serve as a vital segment of Utah’s larger statewide network.

Unpaved Deer Creek Reservoir Trail with view of water and mountains in the background

 

Study Map

The study area is the existing unpaved Deer Creek Reservoir Trail from the Wasatch State Park trail head to the Deer Creek dam trail head. 

Map of the deer creek reservoir trail study area. Two trail heads, reservoir, railroad corridor, and US 189 are displayed.

 

 

 

Study Timeline

Study timelines are often unknown and are subject to change due to funding.

live
live
Public Open House: October 7, 2025

Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location: Wasatch County Senior Center

Address: 465 East 1200 South Heber City, Utah 84032

Format: Drop in. Review Alternatives, View Selected Alternative, Ask Questions

planned
planned
Upcoming Work: Autumn - Winter 2025/2026

  • Feasibility Study Completion: Spring 2026
  • Final Stakeholder Presentation Meeting: Winter 2026
    • Present draft feasibility analysis
  • Refine recommended alternative, develop cost estimates: Winter 2025/2026
  • Draft State Environmental Study document: Winter 2025/2026
  • Field environmental data collection (natural resources, habitats, archaeological, cultural): Autumn 2025

complete
complete
Milestones

  • Stakeholder Committee Alternatives Review Meeting: September 2025
  • Alternatives Development: Summer 2025
    • Develop trail cross-sections
    • Draft alternative trail alignments
    • Analyze alternatives
    • Identify recommended trail alignment
  • Stakeholder Committee Kick-Off Meeting: June 2025
  • Topographic Field Survey: May 2025
    • Drone flight to collect terrain data and take photos
    • Create detailed map and survey files 
  • Feasibility Study Start: April 2025

Contact Information

To contact the public information team with questions, concerns, or ideas about this study:

Hotline: 385-419-2681

Email: DeerCreekReservoirTrail@utah.gov

Stay Informed

To receive email updates about the feasibility study, please contact the public involvement team at DeerCreekReservoirTrail@utah.gov and include "Updates" in the subject line.