Williams and Tusayan Districts to Consider Camping Corridors

The Kaibab National Forest is proposing to designate camping corridors on the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts in order to better meet the public’s need for motorized dispersed camping opportunities.

The proposal is part of the South Zone Travel Management Revision Project, which is available for public review and comment on the Kaibab National Forest website at  http://go.usa.gov/kpQV. The public scoping period runs from May 1 to May 31 and is intended to help define the scope of the issues to be addressed in depth as part of the forest’s analysis.

Specifically, the Kaibab National Forest is proposing to designate camping corridors along about 223 miles of roads across the two districts, 159 on the Williams Ranger District and 64 on the Tusayan Ranger District. The proposal is for the corridors to extend 200 feet from either side of the centerline of the roads. Motor vehicle use for the purpose of dispersed camping would be allowed within designated corridors. Where camping corridors are not designated, visitors would continue to be allowed to drive and park up to 30 feet off open roads.

“We have listened to the concerns of the public regarding the lack of opportunities for motorized dispersed camping on the Williams and Tusayan districts,” said Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Mike Williams. “We made a commitment to our communities to be responsive and refine our transportation system over time. We believe this proposal will help us to better meet the recreational needs of forest visitors.”

Besides the designation of camping corridors, the Kaibab is also proposing to make some changes to the existing road system by adding 32 miles and removing 10 miles of roads on the two districts. This includes the proposed addition of 15 short spur routes on the Tusayan Ranger District that access historically-popular motorized dispersed camping sites.

The proposed changes stem from more than three years of monitoring following implementation of the Travel Management Rule on the districts. This was a federal rule that required all national forests and grasslands to designate a system of roads, trails and areas for motorized use, and to prohibit all motor vehicle use off the designated system. For additional information on the current Kaibab National Forest transportation system, visit  www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/tmr.

To view the full South Zone Travel Management Revision Project proposal, visit  http://go.usa.gov/kpQV.