Crime concerns prompt camping changes to Idaho Falls park

The city of Idaho Falls is making changes to camping regulations at South Tourist Park after a series of citizen complaints.

“We have had a lot of issues down here,” Greg A. Weitzel, director of Park & Recs.

Some of the complaints include campers overstaying the one night limit. Weitzel said some campers have been in the park for months. Other complaints include excessive noise, vandalism, and sex in the park.

“It is about safety,” Weitzel said. “It is about security. It is about letting other people benefit from this campground as well. What we have is some people who tend to overstay their welcome.”

Starting this Friday, campers will have to pay to stay in the park. A One night stay will cost $15 with a maximum of 14 days. The park will eventually have a camp host, similar to that of other campgrounds.

“We want to make sure that we can enforce this, not only for the safety of our residents but all the tourists that come by as well,” Weitzel said.

The Idaho Falls City Council approved the changes in January. Crews will begin putting up news signs with the changes on Wednesday. Weitzel said more changes will be coming.

“We would like to eventually bring some water hookups down and make this an RV stay over as well,” Weitzel said.

Campers currently in the park will have to pay to camp starting Friday. There will be a box for payment at the front entrance. The park will continue to remain open 24 hours a day, except the Fourth of July.

The city says South Tourist Park and Rider Park will be closed to motorized traffic and campers on the holiday. You can still walk or bike in to watch the fireworks.

South Tourist Park will also serve as the command center for Idaho Falls Police and Fire for the fireworks event. They picked the location because of the boat launch, giving them access to the river in case they need to go in.