Your plan to get away from the crowds might also have a crowd

May 19, 2020, 10:19 AM

Visitors recreating at Tibble Lake Reservoir in American Fork Canyon. Photo Courtesy of KSL-TV

Traffic Reporter/Digital Content Producer

AMERICAN FORK — After weeks of being stuck inside, Utahns are venturing out. One of the places they are going to try and get away from it all is Tibble Fork Reservoir, as KSL-TV’s Andrew Adams found out. What people found when they got into the canyon were traffic jams and it was nearly impossible to find a parking space at the reservoir.

What to expect when you get away

The forest service is saying they expect the next weeks ahead to be very busy. Last weekend was as busy as Memorial Day or even the Fourth of July weekends, according to the forest service. They went on to say that it’s been that busy for the last two weeks. They expect the crowds to only get bigger as more people itch to leave home.

What visitors are finding

Kelsey Hyde, a visitor who was with her friends said, “We were like Monday is probably going to be less crowded, but everyone had that same idea.”

Mike Willes, another visitor, said that a recent medical scare sent him to the emergency room.

“This was my first trip out since the shutdown,” he said.

Visitors said they felt like they had enough room to stay safely away from others while enjoying the outdoors and seeing people again.

“Looking around, I feel like the risk is pretty low for most people,” another visitor, Simon Hernandez, said. “I think everyone is keeping up good distances, generally speaking.”

The takeaway

In order to get away from it all, you will likely be joining a lot of others trying to do the same thing.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person. It is a virus that is similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
Don’t touch your face.
Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet)
If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities.)
Get a flu shot.