|
96 South Main Street, Nephi, Utah 84648 - Voice: 435 623-0525 - FAX: 435 623-4735 News for May 7, 2025 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
By Myrna Trauntvein Easter weekend at the Little Sahara Sand Dunes Recreation Area (LSRA) was busy but beautiful with no critical injuries to report. “We had 22 call outs for our EMS crews during the weekend,” said Mika Sperry, Juab County EMS Director. “We transported, via ambulance, four patients.” According to a report for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM): “It was a beautiful Easter weekend.” However, it was cold and nippy. But there were no storms to report. Little Sahara Recreation Area (LSRA) is 60,000 acres of sagebrush flats, juniper-covered hills, and free moving sand dunes located in Juab County. “Each year,” said Doug Anderson, Juab County Sheriff, “we plan for the worst and hope for the best.” He said the goal is to make the weekend a safe one for visitors and to make it a family-oriented site. Less than a two-hour drive from Salt Lake City, LSRA provides an experience unlike any other for OHV fun and camping, said the BLM press release. Visitors frequent the recreation area for the challenges of climbing the 700-foot tall Sand Mountain, network of dirt trails around Black Mountain, low-lying dunes for beginners, and the White Sand Dune bowls. Fifty years ago, it was a bit different than today, the press release said. “The rigs may look a little different, but the crowds are just as robust at Little Sahara Recreation Area. Back in 1975, over 8,000 people braved snow and cold to enjoy dune buggy and drag racing, camping, and a sand rally,” it said. Little Sahara has grown since then, with the addition of a new visitor center, cashless payment systems, and adding and improving camping options. The Visitor Center was open. “Utah’s largest sandbox,” a colloquial nickname for the Little Sahara Recreation Area located in Juab County, expected an uptick in visitors during this year for Easter weekend and the area was once again packed due to good weather and the fact that Utahns and other visitors were tired of the long, cold weeks that typified early spring. The Bureau of Land Management expected visitor numbers to be double that of Easter weekend last year. “This year, we are expecting anywhere from 40,000 to 50,000,” said Ashley Snipes, BLM public affairs specialist for the West Desert District. She said visitation numbers during this time of year usually top out around 20,000 to 30,000 visitors. The attendance did not disappoint, she said. No water was available throughout campground and undeveloped camping areas and there was no camping access north of the stop sign in the White Sands area. Visitors were advised to stay away from the Whites Sands construction area due to open pits and d2bris. “Crews will be demolishing the flush restrooms and moving existing amenities to the new campground,” said the report. “When we reopen the area in fall 2025, campers will have new flush and vault restrooms in the campground, along with standard amenities such as standing grills, picnic tables, and tent pads.” Visitors to LSRA also enjoy hiking in the 6,000-acre Rockwell Outstanding Natural Area, fat-biking on the dunes, sand boarding/skiing down Sand Mountain, and wildlife viewing. Two children sand play areas are available in White Sands Campground and the Jericho Picnic Area (map webpage link). Motorized vehicles are not permitted inside the play areas. The recreation area offers 255 improved campsites with access to 40 toilets, two sources for potable water, and 16 miles of paved roads. The campsites are located within four campgrounds: White Sands, Oasis, Jericho, and Sand Mountain. Dispersed camping is available outside of designated campgrounds. In addition to a Visitor’s Center and campground amenities, LSRA has a fire station, engine bay/shop, and a bunkhouse for wildfire personnel. “LSRA records more than 20,000 visitors on the busy weekends of Easter, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, and 300,000 visitors annually,” said the report. “All fees collected are used to keep the site clean and open to the public.”
| ||
