BLM considering restrictions on dispersed camping in Utah
BLM considering restrictions on dispersed camping on fragile lands in Utah
Forum Discussion
I have been going to Southern Utah for literally over 50 years. The changes over the last couple decades has been phenomenal (in a bad way). I really started noticing it when mountain biking became a thing out there (nothing against bikers at all and it is well beyond that now). Who am I to say it is only ok for me to come out here and enjoy this scenery, trails, etc. It wasnt that long ago that the dispersed camping along the river along 128 north and east of Moab was closed while they put in some more campgrounds and pit toilets in those areas. Why, because there was so much poop it was unsafe to wander around in those areas. The stuff was everywhere and frankly it was disgusting you couldnt hardly pitch a tent without running into it. Pack it in pack it out signs everywhere but to no avail.
While it is sad to see that this type of regulation is needed I am not against it.
Last year my son and I went to Zion. It had been probably 7 years since I had been there. The shuttle service was there and required the previous time I was there and while not happy about that (compared to previous visits) by the end of my time there I thought better of it parking was not a problem, the shuttle was timely all in all a good thing. Even though we did several back country jaunts carrying a lot of gear for canyoneering. Got some strange looks on the shuttle but nonetheless it did work just fine. Fast forward to last year it took almost two hours for us to get on the shuttle due to the line at the visitor center. I wanted to show him the Narrows at the end. Have been there plenty of times over the years and even my previous visit you walk up canyon 1/4 mile past the end of the paved trail there are very few people left. This time there were close to a thousand people it was like a water park. I resigned to myself that I may never see it again as I was not sure I wanted to remember it that way. However who am I to say these people shouldn't be here. I can say some of their behavior was atrocious but beyond that ..... A sticky problem the enjoyment is ruining it.
While it is sad to see that this type of regulation is needed I am not against it.
Last year my son and I went to Zion. It had been probably 7 years since I had been there. The shuttle service was there and required the previous time I was there and while not happy about that (compared to previous visits) by the end of my time there I thought better of it parking was not a problem, the shuttle was timely all in all a good thing. Even though we did several back country jaunts carrying a lot of gear for canyoneering. Got some strange looks on the shuttle but nonetheless it did work just fine. Fast forward to last year it took almost two hours for us to get on the shuttle due to the line at the visitor center. I wanted to show him the Narrows at the end. Have been there plenty of times over the years and even my previous visit you walk up canyon 1/4 mile past the end of the paved trail there are very few people left. This time there were close to a thousand people it was like a water park. I resigned to myself that I may never see it again as I was not sure I wanted to remember it that way. However who am I to say these people shouldn't be here. I can say some of their behavior was atrocious but beyond that ..... A sticky problem the enjoyment is ruining it.
