NATIONAL FOEESTS AND THE INTEEMOUNTAIN EEGION 



17 



and preventing trespass upon areas set aside for game. Within the 

 national forests of this region are 43 State and Federal game refuges 

 comprising 6,027,280 acres. In addition the Forest Service itself 

 has set aside over 900,000 acres primarily for the production of game. 

 Forest fires, destructive lumbering, and overgrazing would spell 

 ruin to these wild-life resources. The maintenance of the forest 

 assures their preservation. 



IMPROVEMENTS 



Eecreational use of the forests has been systematized by setting 

 aside public camp grounds and furnishing them with conveniences, 

 by leasing at nominal rentals summer home and camp sites, and 

 reserving special scenic vantage points for the enjoyment of all the 



u 



Figure 8. — Planting- fish in a trout stream on a national forest 



public. Better roads, besides aiding in fire suppression, opening up 

 new areas, and making possible better utilization of the material 

 resources of the forests, have made it easier for the public to take 

 advantage of the recreational resources. (Fig. 9.) 



FOREST VISITORS BRING BUSINESS TO THE REGION 



Outfitting, guiding, and managing parties of tourists through the 

 more interesting portions of the national forests are becoming well- 

 recognized lines of business. On the Dixie National Forest in 

 southern Utah are located the Cedar Breaks, a magnificent canyon 

 head of red rock especially attractive to sightseers. Timpanogos 

 Cave with its delicate formations in the Wasatch Forest, and the 

 Kaibab National Forest, with its great herds of deer, the Uinta 

 and Sawtooth Mountains, Fish Lake, the South Fork of the Payette 

 River, etc., all appeal to many visitors. The " dude ranches " of 

 Jackson Hole, surrounded by the Teton National Forest, are nation- 

 ally known. The business connected with the recreational activities 

 adds materially to the prosperity of the region. 



