Utah Tourism Struggles After Wildfire and Floods | Salt Lake City News

Salt Lake City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 19, 2026 · 1m

Central Utah’s tourism heartland is reeling from a brutal double whammy: the Cottonwood Fire’s lingering scars met by torrential rains that triggered flash floods, wiping out roads and recreation spots just as summer peak season hit. Wildfire smoke had already deterred visitors, and now floodwaters have shuttered businesses, damaged infrastructure, and even forced boil-water advisories. Small towns in Piute, Beaver, and Sevier counties — already weathering years of economic strain — face an uphill battle, with many feeling recovery is out of reach. Yet, against all odds, local business owners…