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Illegal Guiding Service Busted in Zion National Park

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Published Date

September 2, 2009

Canyoneering in Zion National Park is highly popular and one of the hardest permits to snag. A Utah man recently was convicted of running an illegal guiding service in the park's backcountry. NPS photo by Caitlin Ceci.

Despite being warned about running an illegal guiding service in Zion National Park, a Utah man continued to do just that. Last month he paid the price when he was convicted for doing so.

Zion Superintendent Jock Whitworth says Dennis Fisher, of Spanish Fork, Utah, pled guilty on August 17 in St. George Magistrate Court to conducting an illegal guiding service within the boundaries of the park. For several years, Mr. Fisher and his company, TPC Sports, had advertised illegal guided canyoneering trips in the park’s backcountry, according to the superintendent, who also said Mr. Fisher had been previously contacted by park rangers regarding his illegal operation.

An operation culminating in two undercover park rangers participating in one of Mr. Fisher’s trips through Mystery Canyon on July 25, 2009, led to the criminal charges. As a result of his conviction, Mr. Fisher was fined $1000 and banned from entering Zion National Park for two years, the superintendent said.

Permitted commercial operations are allowed for interpretive purposes on a limited number of Zion Canyon’s developed trails, but are not permitted through most of the park’s backcountry, including all canyoneering routes. A permit must be obtained prior to any commercial use of park trails. To obtain a commercial permit or for more information about commercial regulations in Zion National Park, call 435-772-7823 or visit the park's website: www.nps.gov/zion.

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Comments

Submitted by Marshall Dillon on September 3, 2009 - 3:49pm.

That doesn't sound like that would even be the same issue, anon. I guided hike done by the LDS church would (I'm assuming) still be allowed today. The problem isn't the guiding, its the commercial part of it, and the fact that money and profit would drive it? I'm sure that a church group would be welcome to go canyoneering. Anyone agree? I could be off.

And I'm with Kirby...I'm in no way trying to raise questions about this particular guide and what he did as right or wrong...I'm simply asking questions about it. If this were a forum, you're right, this discussion would have warranted a seperate thread from the article thread.


Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on September 3, 2009 - 4:16pm.

Stay tuned, folks. On Sunday we'll revisit this issue with the park's explanation for why commercial guiding isn't allowed for canyoneering trips.


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