Big Rock Candy Mountain trying to become destination point

The legendary Big Rock Candy Mountain in Piute County will soon have more to offer than rocks that look like nougat with caramel ribbons running through them and a quaint rock shop. The plans for the future include creating a railroad resort with boxcars and cabooses for guest stays, a new multipurpose trailhead, a new raft launch and guest amenities featuring the famed Lemonade Springs and ponderosa trees.es at the resort will be single occupancy motel rooms.

Local agency employees have been cooperatively seeking funds and direction from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program to put the area more conveniently on the map for cyclists, hikers, river rafters and tourists. They now have money for the Candy Mountain Whistle Stop Trailhead development, a multipurpose trailhead in the narrow canyon bottom between the Sevier River and the highway.

The plan includes new parking lots, a raft launch ramp, a picnic area with shade trees, public restrooms and informational kiosks, paid for with grants from the Sevier County Office of Travel and Tourism, the Utah State Parks Association and the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area/Scenic Canyon Preservation Society.

Developers and brothers David and Steven Grow are working to create a Track 89 Resort Village to complement the new trailhead. They donated the two acres for the Whistle Stop Trailhead and plan to upgrade and position a number of converted boxcars and luxury caboose cars that will available for overnight and daily rental by June 2012. Deseret News