Discovery Road – Winner of Best In State 2022 – Best Documentary
Since its debut in 2012, Discovery Road has produced over 60 episodes, taking viewers on immersive journeys down U.S. Highway 89 through six historic counties in central and southern Utah.
Each 30-minute episode blends history, mystery, heritage, and natural beauty into family-friendly storytelling that educates as much as it entertains.
Broadcast locally on KUED-TV and across the country through the National Educational Television Association, or NETA, the series has become a public media touchstone for anyone seeking a deeper connection to the region’s past. It is also used in classrooms across the state as part of Utah’s history curriculum.

The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area is the only National Heritage Area designated and named for a specific people, the Mormon Pioneers – as they forged to the west. Their remarkable story of dedication, fortitude, and extraordinary efforts offers one of the best features of the Mormon colonization experience in the United States. The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area has been identified by Congress as a factor in the expansion of the United States and contributing to the United States.
Cowboys, Outlaws, and the Movies
The unique landscape features a geological wonderland that has been the backdrop for feature films including; “Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid,” and “Jeremiah Johnson.” While traveling through the picturesque scenery, you might recognize a scene or two. Included in the heritage area is the birthplace of Utah outlaws, Butch Cassidy and Matt Warner. Matt was a lifelong friend and a gang member alongside of Butch. Many movies were filmed in the scenic Under the Rim District of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area.
Mormon Colonization
In the later part of the 1800s the Mormon pioneers began their great relocation to the west. They trekked 1,400 miles from Illinois to the Great Salt Lake. This mass-Exodus brought about colonization in Utah, Nevada, the southwest corner of Wyoming, the southeast corner of Idaho, southeast Oregon, and a large portion of southern and eastern California.

Current Year Press Releases
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Discovery Road Celebrates National Park Service Centennial
One hundred years. That’s a birthday to remember for the National Park Service and one Discovery Road hosts Maryda Nicole Gallo and James Nelson celebrate in “Precious Jewels in any…
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Discovery Road Celebrates National Park Service Centennial
One hundred years. That’s a birthday to remember for the National Park Service and one Discovery Road hosts Maryda Nicole Gallo and James Nelson celebrate in “Precious Jewels in any…
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CCC/POW Camp Restoration in Salina Tells Incredible Story, Needs Public Support
For more information: Monte Bona Director, Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area 801-699-5065 Email: montebona@hotmail.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2016 Thanks to dedicated volunteers, a former Citizens Conservation Corps/Prisoner of…
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Kanab Gathering For Greyhound Day
Greyhound Gathering – Kanab May 12 – 15 2016 The Greyhounds and their owners have announced that the annual Greyhound Gathering is taking place in Kanab, Utah May 12 –…
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Happy 100th Birthday National Park Service
On 25 August 2016 the National Park Service celebrates its 100th year serving the United States, her citizens, and the countless visitors to our great nation! As a way to…
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Railroad Resorts Bring Sevier County’s Railroad Past to Life
The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad is being resurrected in an unusual way in the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area. Partners David Grow and George Jones of Environetics have built…
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Here’s The Ultimate Terrifying Southern Utah Road Trip And It’ll Haunt Your Dreams
Here’s The Ultimate Terrifying Southern Utah Road Trip And It’ll Haunt Your Dreams from www.onlyinyourstate.com by Katherine Rees on February 25, 2016. Although not all of the locations listed are…
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Wasatch Academy Student, Sonita Alizadah’s Life Story Is Premiering At The Sundance Film Festival
January 24, 2016 KSL Reporter, Ray Boone MT. PLEASANT, Sanpete County — Utah student nearly sold for $9K subject of Sundance documentary Geometry is a language many of us have…
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HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS TO PERFORM THEIR UNIQUE TALENTS AT SNOW COLLEGE
Harlem Globetrotters Tuesday, February 09, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Ephraim on their 90TH ANNIVERSARY world tour. Snow College will host the world renown team as…
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Jenna Bush Hager and mom Laura Bush to write children’s book together
“I’m thrilled to announce that my daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, and I are writing another children’s book, OUR GREAT BIG BACKYARD. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park…
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RICHFIELD LITTLE WONDER CAFE MAKES THE 12 AWESOME DINERS IN UTAH LIST
In an article posted in Utah October 17, 2015 by Catherine Rees entitled These 12 Awesome Diners in Utah Will Make You Feel Right at Home, The Little Wonder Cafe was listed as one…
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“The Soul of the Native American Artist” to share Native American Perspectives, Heritage
The Soul of the Native American Artist” to share Native American Perspectives, Heritage MORMON PIONEER NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA (MPNHA) “The Soul of the Native American Artist” to share Native American…
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Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area “Discovery Road” to air on UEN
Linda Petersen Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area 801-554-7513 Email: linda@bpmedia.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 2, 2015 Utah Education Network TV (UEN) will begin airing “Discovery Road,” a series that grew…
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Jewish Community Of Clarion To Be Memorialized In Gunnison, Utah
Linda Petersen Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area 801-554-7513 Email: linda@bpmedia.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 11, 2015 Jewish community of Clarion to be memorialized in Gunnison Gunnison, Utah (Sept. 11, 2015)…