DWR partners with concessionaire to manage popular Weber River tubing area

HENEFER, Utah — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said that it has entered an agreement with a “private concessionaire” to manage a local tubing area. AMP Recreation will be responsible for managing a popular Weber River tubing spot near Henefer. 

According to the DWR, the Weber River tubing spot is a wildlife management area.

The concessionaire will be in charge of the wildlife management area on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. 

“Because tubing and other forms of outdoor recreation are not our areas of expertise, the popularity of tubing has overwhelmed our ability to manage the activity at the [wildlife management area,]” said Blair Stringham, the DWR’s northern region supervisor.  

DWR Northern Region Outreach Manager Mark Hadley told KSL NewsRadio that AMP Recreation has worked with multiple state parks in the past and this way, the experts can do what they do best. 

The DWR said in a press release that it purchased the land for the Henefer-Echo Angler Access Wildlife Management Area in 1978. Meant to provide an additional area for fishing, the DWR has allowed other activities, including tubing. 

The DWR said that the activity began with a slow trickle of participants before exploding in popularity 20 years ago. 

Nowadays, the DWR said that the parking lot’s 150 spaces are often full on holidays and weekends. 

Will there be any changes to the Weber River tubing area? 

According to the DWR, the concessionaire will not be at the site Mondays through Thursdays. The public may enter and use the area for free on those days. 

Friday through Sunday, holidays, and “other times of peak use,” users must pay a fee of $10 per vehicle. If a vehicle contains more than eight people, the cost will be $15. 

The press release said that AMP Recreation will also offer tubing equipment rentals and sell snacks and drinks. Additionally, it will maintain the parking area and restroom facilities. 

AMP Recreation will also be able to remind visitors of safety practices and laws, including rules surrounding life vests and drinking alcohol while recreating. 

“Tubers will also likely encounter more law enforcement officers in the area this summer than they have in the past,” Stringham said. They will be present to ensure safety and compliance with state laws. 

What about anglers? 

Those who are visiting the Weber River tubing spot to fish and not tube will not have to pay the fee. The press release said that angler license dollars have covered entry fees for fishers. 

Parking spots will be set aside for those using the area to fish. If they fill up, anglers can use nearby Walk-In-Access properties. 

The DWR press release said that the properties have been leased to allow public access for fishing. Those participating in tubing or other outdoor activities can not use the Walk-In-Access properties. 

Alexandrea Bonilla contributed to the reporting of this story.

Related: New bike trails and equestrian opportunities coming soon to Salt Lake County