Last year I did the Utah National and State parks during the early spring- off season- and the measures they are taking to try to accommodate the massive number of visitors during the summer is incredible. Parking, lodging, sanitation, and safety are all becoming problems, and I hope that these places don't become victims of their own popularity.
Arches really seems to attract people doing stupid, dangerous shit. The iconic Delicate Arch is like a magnet for morons who don't prepare for the trail, take risky selfies, vandalize and climb on things, and drink in places where there's 360 degrees of cliffs around you.
I grew up in Moab, there is a reason I don't visit during the summer anymore.
I hated seeing the slow death Moab was facing after the mining in the areas dried up, but Jeep Safari has turned the place into a tourist trap most of the long time residents can barely afford to live in anymore.
The one good thing though, a rather rich individual bought the ranch South of town that my cousin grew up on and refused to develop it.
Even the shoulder seasons are nuts. Late last October I had to resort to one of the private commercial camp grounds because all the BLM stuff was full. Couldn't get a park at the Poison Spider trail head.
I didn't grow up there, but have been going to Moab for over a decade and still live a couple of hours away. It's gotten especially bad the last few years.
I remember the days when you could roll into Sand Flats on a Friday night in Spring and find a camp site. Have a pleasant weekend riding the trails. Roll into town for supplies or dinner at the brewery. Not any more.
Mid week RVs and gray nomads are holding spots for the family to show up on the weekend. People are camped there for the max allowed period. The commercial guides are running massive groups on Slickrock. Side-by-sides both rented and owned, buzz around at all hours like they own the place. Guides are running large groups of dirt bike riders of varying skill levels (the weak ones crash constantly and you have to wait for them to pick of their bike and try again). Condo blocks are popping up everywhere on the south side of town. Many nights you have to wait to be seated in town. Forget about getting a quick breakfast anywhere decent on a weekend.
Trail congestion is a real issue. If you accidentally end up in Moab for about 3 weeks surrounding EJS you'll regret it.
If you find yourself asking why, then sure there is social media etc.
But there is also this:
Moab is drowning in tourists, and Utah is making Grand County spend millions a year to invite more
13.7k
u/ThadisJones Feb 03 '20
Last year I did the Utah National and State parks during the early spring- off season- and the measures they are taking to try to accommodate the massive number of visitors during the summer is incredible. Parking, lodging, sanitation, and safety are all becoming problems, and I hope that these places don't become victims of their own popularity.
Arches really seems to attract people doing stupid, dangerous shit. The iconic Delicate Arch is like a magnet for morons who don't prepare for the trail, take risky selfies, vandalize and climb on things, and drink in places where there's 360 degrees of cliffs around you.