Bonanza Flats

Highway 128 parallels the Colorado River between Cisco and Moab. It's so magnificent it can easily take a full day to move from one spot to the next.

In the course of exploring and scouting for a camp I got caught out too far from BLM lands. Looking for a hidey-hole, I chanced upon the "campground" at Castle Towers Climbing Area. The two-acre site is there thanks to it being purchased for $600,000.00 by Utah Open Lands, a non-profit organization.

There is a donation "chamber" similar to those at National Forest C.G.s where I left a $20.00 bill....a large amount for me. 

There are only two level spots where one can pitch a tent. During the night a young couple came in, set up camp and, before dawn, quietly departed. Otherwise it was quiet.  The "parking lot," such as it is, slants so steeply on both sides a trailer tongue would likely get stuck. It's a great spot and if it weren't for Utah Open Lands it likely wouldn't exist. 

FYI: There's a rumor that author Terry Tempest Williams (Finding Meaning in A Broken World and Red), one of my favs, lives in the nearby community of Castle Valley.

Park City Announces Bonanza Challenge Grant Mayor & the five members of Park City Council make saving Bonanza personal, pledging $25,000 out of their own pockets Help Utah Open Lands & the 11 member non profit coalition meet this challenge grant. Beginning today, donations to any of the non profits will be matched dollar for dollar until the challenge grant is met. "The Park City Council is excited to make our personal contribution towards the purchase of Bonanza Flat," says councilman Andy Beerman. Utah Open Lands sees this as an opportunity to grow support from community leaders across the Wasatch front and Wasatch back. Help us meet the match! Visit www.SaveBonanzaFlats.org or www.UtahOpenLands.org to donate.