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TROPIC, Garfield County — The clickety-clop sound of hoofs in Bryce Canyon National Park is increasing, and the National Park Service is asking for public input on a new policy. Comments on the issue are due Dec. 31.
"Riding a horse or mule along the trails of Bryce Canyon National Park is an unforgettable and increasingly popular experience," Bryce Canyon National Park visual information specialist Peter Densmore told St. George News. "That said, we're committed to providing access to these recreational opportunities in a safe and environmentally sound manner."
Densmore said the park has seen a nearly 650% increase in private riders over the last nine years. It increased from 124 private riders in 2015 to 923 riders in 2023.
Bryce Canyon National Park proposes managing private horse and mule reservations online through Recreation.gov. This change would require riders bringing private stock into Bryce Canyon to pay a $1 processing fee per reservation.
