Robert Redford and the Canyon He Calls His Own

Robert Redford: The Utah Canyon That Defined His Legacy

From Hollywood to the Mountains of Utah

Robert Redford, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89, left a lasting mark not only on cinema but also on the landscapes of Utah that he called home. Long before becoming one of America’s most celebrated leading men, Redford made an unconventional choice: he left Los Angeles just as his acting career was taking off and moved into a remote canyon north of Provo. In his mid-20s, he bought two acres from a sheepherder for $500 and built a home so isolated that winter snows often cut it off from the outside world.

It was in this canyon that he lived much of his life — and where he died this week.

A Neighbor, Not a Star

“To us, he wasn’t a movie star. He was Bob,” said Stephen Minton, a longtime friend and neighbor. Redford’s love for the place, Minton recalled, inspired his creativity and grounded him in the community.

Over time, Redford purchased thousands more acres and acquired a small ski resort, renaming it Sundance after his role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. That resort became the birthplace of the Sundance Film Festival, which grew into one of the world’s most influential showcases for independent cinema.

A Canyon That Shaped His Vision

Redford’s devotion to the land had consequences far beyond his own life. He often clashed with Utah’s conservative establishment. In the 1970s, after he campaigned against a proposed coal plant, locals burned an effigy of him in protest. The project was eventually canceled, and decades later, the site became a national monument.

Despite political friction, tributes poured in from across the spectrum after his passing. Former Utah governor Gary Herbert described him as “our conscience” and “our favorite adopted son,” praising his commitment to stewardship of the land.

Redefining Utah’s Image

Through Sundance and the Sundance Institute, Redford nurtured filmmakers who would become household names — Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Darren Aronofsky. The festival brought international attention, celebrities, and a creative energy that transformed Utah’s reputation from rugged wilderness to cultural hub.

But Redford himself preferred the saddle to the spotlight. Friends recall long horseback rides through the Wasatch Range that left others exhausted while he wanted to keep going.

An Actor Who Lived the West

Movies like Jeremiah Johnson, The Electric Horseman, and Butch Cassidy were filmed partly in Utah, but Redford’s connection went deeper. He embodied the ruggedness of the West in his own life, which gave authenticity to his environmental voice.

“Bob was speaking out about conservation long before it was fashionable,” said Julie Mack of the Sundance Nature Alliance. His passion, she noted, was rooted in childhood memories of open spaces disappearing in postwar California.

A Lasting Legacy of Preservation

In 2020, Redford sold his resort with the stipulation that more than 1,500 acres would remain undeveloped. He also placed another 1,200 acres under protection. Wildlife still flourishes in the canyon — elk, moose, bobcats, and trout-filled streams.

Generations to come will benefit from his commitment, Mack said: “People will hike on trails that Robert Redford preserved. And they’ll be able to enjoy that land — forever.”