Local camping spots offer cheap getaway options

For students who want to get away this summer but can’t afford a long-distance vacation, Logan Canyon and Green Canyon offer a close-to-home alternative.

“All of our campgrounds are available and easy to access,” said Kathy Jo Pollock, a spokesperson for the Logan Forest Ranger District. “There are no restrictions placed on any of these campsites except for the established restrictions already in place.”

Pollock said some of these restrictions are about campfires. Fires are not allowed below the 5,200 food level and inside the wilderness area.

Pollock added that there are no lack of activities on Logan campsites. It all depends on what campers want to do, but tubing, fishing and exploring the trails are just a few options.

“We have had snowmobilers clear into July,” said Ron Vance, a Logan Ranger District employee. “Granted these are for more of the die-hards on the trails, but there is no limit to outdoor recreation available to the public. There are also horseback riders and we have a pretty active group that helps with repairing trails and a growing mountain bike community. We are very popular with ATV vehicles out here.”

Logan Canyon is also a cooler option than lower-altitude campsites.

“For escaping the heat, higher elevation campsites are sought out, and one of these is the Sunrise campground at the top of the district before dropping down into Bear Lake,” Vance said “The temperature is cooler by as much as 15 degrees.”

Other popular campsites include: Guinivah-Malibu, High Peak, Spring Hollow and Green Canyon.

Former Utah State University computer science major and camping enthusiast Marcus Charles said Green Canyon is the most popular among students because it is free.

But just because it’s free, doesn’t mean it has less to offer as Logan Canyon.

“It is simply more secluded and if I were to sum it up, I would say Green Canyon provides more of a private camping experience,” Charles said. “There are more trees separating each campsite and you can set up your gear without having to worry about being bothered by anyone. The general complaint about Logan Canyon is the overcrowding that takes place throughout the summer.”

The Forest Service tries to keep all the camping sites easy to access. Logan Canyon provides these for avid campers too as Pollock said.

“Tony Grove is one of the more notable camping sites providing a small lake and interpretive trails,” she said. “It sits in the timber and is a really nice area. Sunrise campground sits at the very top and gives a great view of Bear Lake. There are trails that go a short distance out into the Paper Pine.”

People can make reservations by going to recreation.gov, but they need to be made three days in advance.

“The reservations are first-come first-serve,” Pollock said. “Each of the campsites comes with a standard fee.”

The fees range from $10 to $150 a day according the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Forest Service website. The price depends on the size of the group visiting and where the people are camping.

Along with prices, regular updates are also given so that people can know what to expect.

The Forest Service also provides maps and information at the local Ranger Station at the mouth of Logan Canyon, and provides information on the trails and fishing spots.

“We want people to have fun when they come up here,” Vance said. “One thing I would recommend for people who are going camping is that they tell people where they are going and when. Outdoor recreation has its hazards and precautions should be taken.”

More information about ATV’s and horseback riding groups is found on the Forest Service website.