Utah’s Zion Shores Takes Major Steps Forward in the Development Process

Zion Shores, a luxury community anchored by a surf park, is currently under construction in Utah. Sharing its name with the popular national park, the project made headlines when it was announced. For the past seven months, construction has been underway on the site that will be anchored with Perfect Swell and UNIT Surf technology. 

Surf Park Central spoke with Zion Shores founder and development lead Cody Larkin to learn more about the unique development.

Surf Park Central: Where is Zion Shores in its development/construction process?

Cody Larkin: Zion Shores luxury surf community broke ground in June of 2025, just southwest of Zion National Park in Southern Utah. This unique community project includes 65 custom home waterfront properties and 3 individual surf pools. The majority of the earthwork and underground utilities are complete and vertical construction is underway, marked by a Foundation Ceremony celebrated November 20th, 2025. Construction of the world’s largest, most advanced Perfect Swell surf pool from American Wave Machines to date – Perfect Swell Zion®, along with a massive 9 acre lagoon that will house two additional next-generation Unit® surf pools is now underway. 

Surf Park Central: What was the inspiration for Zion Shores’ unique surf-anchored development design?

Larkin: The concept for Zion Shores grew from a lifelong passion for water sports and a desire to bring true surfing to landlocked Utah. Utah already has a world-renowned reputation for outdoor adventure and action sports. We have the best of everything for an active lifestyle here. The only thing it lacks is true ocean-like surfing. It’s the last piece of the dream puzzle to make Utah the action sports capital of the world. Our development team is seasoned in building premium luxury waterfront properties in sport lake communities, but after experiencing advanced wave technology firsthand from our partners American Wave Machines® and Unit®, we knew we could take things to a whole new level with Zion Shores and build something truly unique here. The homes, the lifestyle, the surfing, all top-notch, and nestled in one of the most amazing natural landscapes found anywhere.

Surf Park Central: How much interest have you seen so far from potential customers?

Larkin: Interest has been strong despite the exclusive nature of the project: only 65 premium waterfront lots are being offered, and those properties — from premium custom homes to luxury townhomes — are already drawing attention from buyers with a good portion of lots already secured. We have arguably the best custom designers and builders in the area partnered on this project (including Immaculate Homes, Split Rock Homes, Shawn Patten Design etc.). Multiple ownership options including fractional co-ownership available through Ember Home makes owning a property at Zion Shores more accessible. 

Surf Park Central: What are the benefits of building with a surf lagoon at the center of a project?

Larkin: Zion Shores positions its 9-acre private surf and swim lagoon with the UNIT wave technology and the 3.5 acre surf lagoon Perfect Swell Zion as the centerpieces of community life, with key benefits that include:

• Consistent, controllable surf conditions for all ability levels via PerfectSwell® and UNIT® surf technologies — removing the unpredictability of ocean conditions, and anxiety of busy surf lineups. Every wave is your own, exactly how you like it, on full demand.
• Exclusive lagoon waterfront access for owners, enhancing lifestyle quality and strengthening property value in an area of southern Utah that has already been a top investment property location in the nation for several years running.
• A resort-style environment that attracts both long-term homeowners and short-term guests, increasing utility and potential rental income.
• A unique real-estate proposition that differentiates Zion Shores from other surf parks or traditional luxury desert communities and typical coastal homes.

Surf Park Central: What have been the most difficult hurdles in building a surf-anchored development?

Larkin: Water is a very precious resource in Southern Utah. The concept of a surf park in the desert has understandably turned the heads of those concerned about the region’s public water supply and long-standing drought status. How can a surf park be built in the middle of the south Utah desert without compromising the area’s water supply?

The answer lies in an alternate independent water resource already found on the development site itself that does not draw from public drinking or irrigation supplies. Zion Shores surf lagoons will be filled with non-potable brackish water from private onsite wells. Brackish water has a high salt content that is unfit for drinking or irrigation use, but when treated, is perfectly safe for recreational use. We will not be using any public water supply to fill our surf pools or lagoons. We’re ultimately utilizing a water source that would otherwise remain untapped — not drawing from the culinary or agricultural supply that local residents rely on. A closed-loop recirculation system will also keep the lagoon clean while reducing the need for refills. Evaporation is mitigated using advanced technology and best practices from industry leaders. We’ve worked closely with Cloward H2O, a global expert in aquatic systems, to ensure long-term sustainability. 

The Zion Shores development team is comprised largely of Utah residents. We care deeply for the well being of this great state. We will be utilizing an otherwise unusable resource in existing brackish water. We are heavily investing into treatment and sustainability of that resource, and turning it into a world-class surf and recreation amenity that will benefit the southern Utah community for generations to come.

Surf Park Central: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Larkin: Zion Shores is a new kind of active lifestyle destination where surfing, outdoor adventure and luxury community lifestyle intersect. With several nearby national and state parks, desert recreation and luxury amenities, the project is designed to offer a blend of world-class sport and quality living that challenges conventional notions of where surf culture can flourish. We can’t wait to bring this amazing project to southern Utah! Learn more at zionshores.com