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KANAB, Utah (ABC4) — Visitors of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah can expect some changes this year after the Bureau of Land Management signed a decision two years in the making.
The management plan, which BLM says is intended to protect the ecosystem and maintain Tribal partnerships, comes with two new rules for campers and climbers.
First, visitors will now need to obtain a free camping permit to set up camp overnight. Second, climbers will need preapproval from the BLM before establishing new climbing routes that require bolts or anchors.
“This added measure is intended to protect monument resources by ensuring that new routes are established in a way that minimizes environmental impact and respects the monument’s unique features,” the agency said.
The management plan comes after years of conversations with Tribal Nations, local governments, and stakeholders, according to the press release. During the process, the BLM also held virtual engagement meetings to involve the public.
“Together, these changes reflect a balanced approach to the preservation, sustainable use, and public enjoyment of this exceptional landscape, while ensuring the Monument continues to serve future generations as an outdoor living laboratory,” the release read.
The National Park Service describes the Grand Staircase as “an immense sequence of sedimentary rock” that “preserves more Earth history than any other place on Earth.” NPS said the cliffs have preserved more than 600 million years of continuous Earth history.
Visitors wishing to dive into this history by conducting scientific research or surveying for fossils will first have to get an online permit. More information on how and where to hike, camp, climb, or ride e-bikes can be found on the agency’s website.