The San Rafael (Utah) Back Country Horsemen (SRBCH) contributed to the concept and construction of the first equestrian campground ever built on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Utah, the Emery County Progress reported.
The campground is adjacent to the San Rafael River in Buckhorn Draw, with views of towering cliffs to the north and the iconic landmarks Window Blind and Assembly Hall Peaks to the south. Development of the equestrian campground started in 2009 and was completed in April this year.
Camping has always been a land use in this vicinity, but the original campground (on the south side of the river) and the 2002 expansion (on the north side of the river) excluded horse and pack animals. The BLM realized the area was frequently used by equestrians and had intended to provide a corral in the future.
In 2009, the San Rafael Back Country Horsemen contacted the BLM office in Price with an offer to help them apply for funds and build the proposed corrals. Funds came from several sources: the State Recreational Trails grant; the Back Country Horsemen of America Education Fund grant; Emery County, Utah; the BLM; and the San Rafael Back Country Horsemen. The SRBCH members agreed to provide welding equipment and expertise, and manpower to construct the corrals. The work began in 2012.
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