Market Updates

November 15, 2026

A red-dirt hiking trail winding through desert shrubs and juniper toward red sandstone cliffs under a blue sky, in open space near St. George, Utah.

Hey Southern Utah! Quick question: how often do you hit a trail, a state park or the reservoir? If you're like a lot of people here, the answer is "a lot."

That's why a state survey that closes Nov. 30 is worth a few minutes of your time. Here's what it is, and why we think it matters for your home.

What's Happening

The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation is building a Long-Range Outdoor Recreation Plan for the Southwest Region: Beaver, Iron, Garfield, Washington and Kane counties. St. George News reported on Nov. 12, 2026 that the plan covers changes to the region's outdoor spaces over the next 10 to 15 years.

To shape it, the division opened a public survey that runs Nov. 4 to 30. According to KSL's Nov. 9 report, it asks about:

The outdoor activities you do and the public lands you visit most
How you'd rate the condition of those areas
Problems like litter, crowded trails, a shortage of campsites or unsafe behavior
How you'd rank spending priorities, and which trails need maintenance or upgrades

KSL reports the results will help guide investment through the Utah Outdoor Recreation Initiative and other state and federal funding programs. St. George News adds that flooding and wildfire response will be part of the plan, too.

Why a Real Estate Team Cares

Easy access to the outdoors is a big part of why people buy here. National data backs that up.

NAR's 2026 Community and Transportation Preference Survey (released July 10, 2026) polled 2,000 adults in the 50 largest metro areas. It found:

82% say being within an easy walk of shops and parks is important when deciding where to live.
63% would be willing to pay more to live where they could easily walk to parks, shops and restaurants.
59% preferred a smaller lot in a walkable neighborhood over a larger lot that requires more driving.

That's a national survey of big metros, not St. George specifically, so we'd treat it as directional, not gospel. But it matches what we hear from buyers all the time: "How far is the nearest trail?"

What It Means for You

Buying? Look past the house. Before you write an offer, check:

How far you are from the trails, parks or open space you'll actually use
Whether a nearby trailhead gets busy on weekends (drive by on a Saturday morning)
Whether nearby open land is protected or slated for future building. Our post on what's getting built around you shows how to track that.

Selling? If your home is close to a trail, park or path, say so in your listing with the real distance. Nearby amenities help get eyes on a listing. Just keep it accurate.

Already own here? Take the survey. St. George News reported that the state's planning coordinator said more people reporting visits to certain parks may lead to more state investment in those parks. Your answers help decide what gets maintained, fixed or built near you over the next decade or so.