Logan Ranger District announces new fees for popular campgrounds
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Forest Service announced that there will be fee changes for several sites in the Logan Ranger District on Tuesday.
These changes included implementing and increasing fees for well-known sites, which means visitors will now have to pay to recreate.
According to the forest service, Card, Dewitt and Chokecherry picnic areas will be $10 per vehicle. A day-use vehicle pass at the most popular site, Tony Grove, will increase from $7 to $10 per vehicle, and group site Shenoah, located in Blacksmith Fork Canyon, will be available for overnight use at $81 per night or $10 per vehicle for the day.
This may be disappointing news for outdoor enthusiasts who now have to pull from their wallet for these ventures.
Jennefer Parker, a Logan District ranger, explained that the sites chosen for the fee increase were based entirely on popularity, not because they wanted to make money off people. Because these sites are heavily populated, she said, it takes a lot more money and effort to maintain these locations.
Aaron Hatch, a freshman at Utah State University, said overpopulated sites are not only lots of work, but it can also ruin the experience for everyone else.
“When sites are just haphazardly taken care of, it’s less enjoyable being there,” he said.
Ideas for improvements to the locations include restrooms, fire rings and new picnic tables.
Parker said this decision is a necessity and is going to be very beneficial for everyone long-term.
“I hope people understand that it’s a reality of managing these sites with this growing number of people we have visiting,” she said.
There isn’t a set number or goal the district is trying to meet by implementing these fees, but it’s all going towards what Parker calls, “a perpetual need.”
There were no other possibilities or considerations on alternative ways for the district to receive funding, she added.
Because the Logan Ranger District has their own private company responsible for managing and maintaining the campgrounds for them, Parker said, they also allow that company to charge a fee for anyone else using the grounds.
“That’s the only way that they have to generate money to pay their staff,” she said.
Another student at USU, Tristin Soule, said she is actually grateful they are taking steps to care for the sites.
“I think that spending the money now is important. These are the types of places that we want to last for generations, and we need this upkeep in order to make them last,” she said.
Another option that is available for any visitors, especially those who visit frequently, is an annual pass to Logan Canyon available for $95 or $60 to Tony Grove. There are also season passes available at https://www.gocamputah.com/season-passes.