The beautiful summer weather inevitably means that more and more people are going to get out and recreate all over Utah’s lands. With this in mind, the Utah Office of Tourism (UOT) wished to remind all to keep Utah “Forever Mighty” by taking pride in their outdoor recreation and exercising responsibility.
The UOT provided a number of responsible recreation tips to help those that want to respectfully enjoy the wonders of Utah. The first tip is to know before you go by planning ahead and researching the destination. This is followed by following the Leave No Trace principle by planning to pack out trash and using a restroom or wag bags.
Prepare for each trip with adequate supplies such as water, sun protection, clothing and gear. Traveling and camping should be done on durable surfaces and the proper footwear should be utilized. Minimizing campfire impact with small fires is urged, as well as only using sticks that are from the ground and can be broken by hand.
Being respectful of both wildlife and others that are out to recreate is another tip from the UOT, along with respecting the restrictions in state and national parks that are intended for public safety and the protection of the environment.
“Use Fire Sense. Do everything you can to prevent human-caused wildfires,” the UOT recommended. “This includes preventing your vehicle from overheating, not parking on dry vegetation, and ensuring that chains and brakes do not cause sparks. If you do make a campfire, build it in a contained space and douse it with water completely before leaving.”
Other tips straight from the UOT are:
- Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in and pack it out.
- Leave what you find, such as leaving pottery or other artifacts that may be found untouched. Removal is a violation of federal law.
- Arrive at popular recreation sites during less-visited times.
- Act and recreate respectfully. Travel on designated trails and motorized routes.
- Be mindful of monsoon season in July, August, and September. Flash flooding is especially dangerous in Southern Utah’s slick rocks and slot canyon areas.
- Go with a guide. In Utah, if you can dream it, you can probably find a guide for it.
Finally, the UOT suggests that residents and visitors both support small businesses such as hotels, guides, restaurants and local retailers. The tourism economy is essential to Utah’s economic health while providing a livelihood for many Utahns and their families.