After more than six weeks, the gates of Little Sahara Recreation Area in Juab County re-opened Wednesday.
Things look a little different when you drive inside. It starts right at the gate, where an employee is standing by with a mask and gloves on. A whiteboard sits near the entrance to how filled each campground is. None were more than 30 percent full, though the manager said even if the campgrounds were to fill up, people could camp in the open areas.
“It’s definitely a big area. I am not worried about social distancing,” Amy Godfrey, who drove from American Fork with her family, said.
There are new COVID-19 regulations being implemented. Visitors are expected to bring things like hand sanitizer and facemasks to help prevent the spread in common areas, according to a news release. Campsites must be at least 300 ft apart and no groups larger than 20 can be together.
“The BLM is committed to both public safety and providing outstanding opportunities for recreation. Over the past two months, we have been working closely with local authorities to make sure we are balancing both appropriately,” said Fillmore Field Manager Mike Gates. “We ask the public to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, as well as the restrictions we will put in place to protect the public while enjoying recreation at Little Sahara Recreation Area.”
There was never much interaction with others while riding on the sand dunes, Godfrey said. It was frustrating and confusing when the area was closed, she said.
“You pass each other, you’ve got your helmet on. You kind of just give them a wave. And they keep going and you keep going,” Godfrey said.
While things are still different, it was a small sense of normalcy to get back outside and on the dirt bikes, Godrey said.
“We marked this on our calendar,” she said.
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