BLM access about to be lost
There is a fantastic BLM dispersed camping site in Colorado on the Arkansas River that is in danger of being converted from free BLM camping to an expensive, reservation only campground run by the sta...
Forum Discussion
For those who aren't aware of it, there are areas of federal land that are currently under so called test programs that require a "Use Fee", for you to be there to hike, camp, etc. Anything along the mirror lake highway in the Utah Uinta's requires you to pay, American Fork Canyon, The Tony grove canyon area of Logan canyon etc. That's some here in the northern part of the state that immediately come to mind. They have called the program a great success, and it's been going on for at least 15 or more years as I recall, and I keep hearing it will be expanded, but no specifics. I keep expecting to see it implemented on all federally controlled lands.
There are also numerous areas that require backcountry permits, but the best I recall, those are all in areas managed by the national park service, which is also the organization that controls the national monuments, national recreation areas etc., as well as the national parks.
Finally, there are bears in southern Utah, which I've personally seen on more than one occasion. We have several mountain ranges in the southern part of the state and if you hang out in those areas you just might encounter one if you're lucky and patient. Also, you can be 40 plus miles from the nearest paved road and encounter a BLM ranger parked under the only cottonwood tree in the wash. If it's one of those days he will pull you over and ask to search your vehicle. As I've learned, they sometimes patrol way off the beaten path looking for folks looting the archeological sites. If you say "no" to the vehicle search, it's going to make for a long day, I can vouch for that.
Again, with increasingly large number of folks looking to utilize federal lands, and the increasing personnel costs to try and manage them, and very well funded special interest groups, many of whom look down on RVers, I expect to see continued closures of boondocking sites, and increased fees for the areas in which we are allowed to camp, which will be crowded and hard to get into.
There are also numerous areas that require backcountry permits, but the best I recall, those are all in areas managed by the national park service, which is also the organization that controls the national monuments, national recreation areas etc., as well as the national parks.
Finally, there are bears in southern Utah, which I've personally seen on more than one occasion. We have several mountain ranges in the southern part of the state and if you hang out in those areas you just might encounter one if you're lucky and patient. Also, you can be 40 plus miles from the nearest paved road and encounter a BLM ranger parked under the only cottonwood tree in the wash. If it's one of those days he will pull you over and ask to search your vehicle. As I've learned, they sometimes patrol way off the beaten path looking for folks looting the archeological sites. If you say "no" to the vehicle search, it's going to make for a long day, I can vouch for that.
Again, with increasingly large number of folks looking to utilize federal lands, and the increasing personnel costs to try and manage them, and very well funded special interest groups, many of whom look down on RVers, I expect to see continued closures of boondocking sites, and increased fees for the areas in which we are allowed to camp, which will be crowded and hard to get into.
