This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Backcountry experiences in Canyonlands National Park are unique. And National Park Service officials want to keep it that way.
Public comment has opened on a proposal to require permits for all motor vehicle and bicycle day use on the White Rim and Elephant Hill roads in Canyonlands.
"Recreation visits have gone up so much we decided we want to provide the visitor experience in backcountry areas that people want," said Kevin Moore, acting chief ranger at Canyonlands National Park. "It's the kind of experience you can only get in the national park in very remote places."
Under the proposal, 50 day use vehicle/motorcycle permits and 50 day use bicycle permits would be issued each day. Groups size would be limited to three vehicles and 15 bicycles.
Two dozen day use vehicle permits and 12 day use bicycle permits would be issued for the Elephant Hill Road, with group size limited to three vehicles and 12 bicycles.
A permit would be required for each motor vehicle and individual bicycle. No fee would be charged under the proposal for the 2015-2016 seasons, but Moore said it is possible a fee would be applied in future years.
Day use visitors to Canyonlands are required to pay the park entrance fee.
Permits currently are required for commercial and private overnight trips, and camping is limited to the 20 backcountry sights on the White Rim Road and nine on the Elephant Hill Road.
Public comments can be entered at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cany_day_use, or by sending them to National Park Service, Southeast Utah Group, Attn: Planning and Compliance Coordinator, 2282 S. West Resource Blvd, Moab, Utah 84532. Faxed comments can be sent to (435) 719-2300.
The deadline for comments is April 14, 2015.
Twitter: @BrettPrettyman