Additional Group Camping Proposed at Lake Canyon Recreation Area

PRICE, UT – Recreation managers on the Manti-La Sal National Forest are interested in hearing your comments on a proposal to combine two campsites into a larger group site at Lake Canyon Recreation Area. The larger group site is proposed at $50 and would be able accommodate up to 80 people. The proposed fee is identical to fees charged at other group sites in the Lake Canyon Recreation Area.
The current sites each hold up to 20 people and are available for $5/vehicle/night. Removing the two sites and combining them into one would recover some of the large group camping opportunities that have been lost.
“Two group sites in Huntington Canyon were destroyed due to flooding events following the 2012 Seeley Fire” said Bill Broadbear, Manti-La Sal recreation program manager. “We believe this group camping opportunity will be welcomed by those who participate in large group gatherings and expect the site to be full most of the time.”
The majority of the revenue collected at recreation fee sites remains on the Forest to operate, maintain and improve the facilities.
All fee proposals will be presented before a citizen’s advisory committee, Utah BLM Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC). Committee members represent a broad array of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable fee changes. Committee members will help ensure that the Forest Service addresses public issues and concerns about recreation fees. The public is welcome to attend and comment at all advisory committee meetings. The next RRAC meeting is expected to be held the spring of 2017, the exact meeting time, location and agenda will be announced on the Manti-La Sal National Forest website and through local media. These fee proposals will also have extensive reviews by both the Forest Service Regional and Washington Offices.
In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and use these funds locally to operate and maintain and improve these sites. Before the Forest Service received the authority to retain funds locally, all fees collected by the Forest Service went to the national treasury.
If approved, the group site would be placed on the National Recreation Reservation Site for rental information and reservations. Many Forest campgrounds are already offered on the reservation system. People can make reservations via toll free number (877) 444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.