BLM considering restrictions on dispersed camping in Utah
BLM considering restrictions on dispersed camping on fragile lands in Utah
Forum Discussion
By bringing tour busses in, it seems like this discussion has gotten a little off topic from the article referenced by the OP. At least with tour busses, they are generally pulling up to designated stops. Besides the on-board toilets in the busses, they also stop at visitors centers or pit toilets. There may be lots of people, but at least they are generally confined to certain areas.
The problems listed in the referenced article are more about boondockers and the damage inflicted by overuse. Actually one of the worst areas now is out on the Willow Springs Road north of Moab. There can be hundreds of campers in a pretty confined area. It's a popular place to go as it is land owned by the State of Utah so it doesn't have the same restrictions as the BLM land. On busy weekends, one can easily see people who have driven out were no one has before to set up camp. Motorcycles and ATV's are driven off road (not by everyone by any means, but just a few bad apples.)
The problem with the Moab area is the environment. It's a desert. Even if you properly dig a hole for your human waste, once the soil is disturbed, it can blow away exposing TP and waste. So even doing it the "right way" doesn't prevent problems.
Currently, dispersed camping is prohibited within a mile or two of the paved roads and large areas in the Castle Valley area are closed to camping altogether. See a map here
These restrictions have been in place for several years now. It is good that the BLM is adding more campgrounds. They do need to figure out how to provide places to get water more conveniently.
I've been going to the Moab area since the mid-60's and currently we go out there four to five weeks a year, and I've seen a lot of changes in that time.
The problems listed in the referenced article are more about boondockers and the damage inflicted by overuse. Actually one of the worst areas now is out on the Willow Springs Road north of Moab. There can be hundreds of campers in a pretty confined area. It's a popular place to go as it is land owned by the State of Utah so it doesn't have the same restrictions as the BLM land. On busy weekends, one can easily see people who have driven out were no one has before to set up camp. Motorcycles and ATV's are driven off road (not by everyone by any means, but just a few bad apples.)
The problem with the Moab area is the environment. It's a desert. Even if you properly dig a hole for your human waste, once the soil is disturbed, it can blow away exposing TP and waste. So even doing it the "right way" doesn't prevent problems.
Currently, dispersed camping is prohibited within a mile or two of the paved roads and large areas in the Castle Valley area are closed to camping altogether. See a map here
These restrictions have been in place for several years now. It is good that the BLM is adding more campgrounds. They do need to figure out how to provide places to get water more conveniently.
I've been going to the Moab area since the mid-60's and currently we go out there four to five weeks a year, and I've seen a lot of changes in that time.
