Easter Weekend Will Bring Crowds To St. George Area, Little Sahara Dunes

St. George is known as “Utah's Dixie” because of its mild climate. Over the years it has evolved to become Utah's premier “spring break” destination. Thousands of visitors will be in the St. George area over Easter weekend, taking advantage of the sunshine, warm temperatures and plentiful recreational opportunities.

Motels and campgrounds in the area may be booked solid. St. George City is the center of spring break activities but plenty of people will be exploring the nearby national and state parks. It will be the busiest weekend so far this year in Zion Park, with plenty of people riding the shuttle and hiking thetrails.

Zion is prepared for crowds so don't let that keep you from exploring the park. Even with spring breakers in the area, Zion will not be as crowded as it gets on summer holidays. But motels in the gateway cities may be full, even as far away as Hurricane.

Little Sahara Sand Dunes

The Little Sahara Sand Dunes in CentralUtah are also a busy place on Easter Weekend. The Dunes are managed by BLM and include campgrounds and areas where dune buggies, ATVs and dirt bikes can operate. The campgrounds will be full and the dunes will be busy.

The Sand Dunes attract a lot of families and also some party animal types. Sheriff's deputies step up patrols to keep alcohol levels down and noise under control.

If the weather is nice, other parks, recreation areas and campgrounds will also be busy.

BLM provided this news release about Easter Weekend at Little Sahara:

BLM Preparing for Easter Weekend at Little Sahara Recreation Area

Fillmore, Utah—Bureau of Land Management (BLM) staff and federal and state agencies are preparing for thousands of visitors at Little Sahara Recreation Area (LSRA) for the first big recreation weekend of the year. The water supply will be turned back on by Easter weekend weather permitting.

The Willard R. Fullmer Visitor Center hours are as follows:

Regular Business Hours:

Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The visitor center will be open extended hours during the Easter weekend.

The 2013 annual passes for LSRA are on sale. Annual passes are good for 12 months from the date of purchase and the cost of the first vehicle pass is $120. The second vehicle pass is available for $65. Passes may be purchased at the LSRA Visitor Center and two other locations between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm: the BLM Fillmore Field Office and BLM Salt Lake Field Office. Gift certificates are also available.

Fillmore Field Office

95 East 500 North

Fillmore, Utah 84631

(435) 743-3100

Salt Lake Field Office

2370 South 2300 West

Salt Lake City, UT 84119

(801) 977-4300

LSRA Visitor Center

27020 W Sand Mountain

Nephi, UT 84648

(435) 433-5960

For more information about Little Sahara Recreation Area, call 435-743-3100 or visit http://on.doi.gov/xkVcv6.