Hope River Ranch proposal heads to Eastern Summit County Planning Commission for review

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — The Eastern Summit County Planning Commission will review a proposal on April 17 for Hope River Ranch, a 25-acre guest ranch and recovery-focused retreat planned for land about 3 miles south of Henefer, currently located in an agricultural zoning district.

According to the application, Hope River Ranch would accommodate up to 34 guests and feature a 28,000-square-foot lodge with 17 guest rooms, therapy rooms, lounges, a kitchen, offices, an indoor sports court, and other amenities. The project also includes ten riverside cabins (just over 10,000 square feet total), a 600-square-foot chapel, a 20,000-square-foot indoor riding arena, and a 400-square-foot greenhouse, bringing the total development footprint to roughly 60,000 square feet.

The ranch will offer a wide range of recreational amenities including horseback riding, hiking, biking, pickleball, basketball, fishing, gardening, river tubing, and wildlife viewing. Family and friends of guests may be shuttled in for visits and have the option to stay overnight in one of the cabins.

While classified under the Guest Lodge use category, the applicant, local real estate agent Kelvin Judd, states the facility will primarily serve individuals seeking support for substance abuse and addiction recovery, offering specialized training in a “dry campus” environment—meaning no alcohol or illicit substances will be permitted on site. To comply with state law, the applicant intends to register the facility as a “Recovery Residence” with the Utah Department of Human Services, though it will not function as a permanent residence or licensed treatment center.

“Hope River Ranch is not a medical detoxification center. Guests are admitted only after they are no longer physically dependent on illicit drugs or alcohol and they will remain substance free during their stay,” the applicant’s presentation states.

Access will be from South Echo Frontage Road, and the site will be staffed 24/7, with 15–25 employees total and 7–10 on-site daily, especially during peak spring-through-fall seasons.

Occasionally, the ranch may also host youth groups, family reunions, and corporate retreats, in alignment with county regulations.

The Planning Commission’s review will focus on whether the proposed use complies with Summit County’s land-use code, environmental considerations, and whether it fits the intent of development within the AG-20 zone. Public comment is expected during the April 17 meeting.