Utah Walk-in Access Program

Utah DWR leases hunting, trapping or fishing rights on private land and pays the landowner, opening the property to the public as a Walk-in Access area. Payment depends on habitat and wildlife quality, acreage or stream miles, and how many years the land is enrolled; some landowners can also get habitat restoration work instead of or alongside payment. DWR provides conservation officer patrols and liability coverage under Utah law.

• Private landowner or lessee with legal right to grant hunting, trapping or fishing rights

• At least a 40-acre contiguous block of land, wetland or riparian area for hunting/trapping; or 0.25 continuous miles of stream or river; or one contiguous acre of lake, reservoir or pond (smaller unique properties may be approved by the statewide WIA coordinator)

• Property must support the leased activities; enrollment is at the division's discretion

Lease agreement states landowner and division responsibilities and the compensation amount for the term; early termination may reduce final payment where a higher multi-year rate was given.

Published amounts: Compensation may be determined by suitable habitat and wildlife, actual acreage of land or flat water or length of stream, and number of consecutive years within an agreement (rates not published). Habitat improvement, materials or labor may be provided in lieu of compensation.

Contact the DWR Walk-in Access coordinator or your DWR regional office; the division evaluates the property and develops a WIA recreational lease agreement.

Deadline text on the page: No enrollment deadline published.