The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a government agency dedicated to preserving public land in the United States. The BLM is responsible for 245 million acres of public land and 700 million acres of mineral estate, with a modest annual budget of $1.6 billion.
In Arizona, the BLM manages 12.1 million acres of land, including Mt. Dellenbaugh in the northwestern part of the state on the remote Arizona Strip. Reaching over 7,000 feet in elevation, Mt. Dellenbaugh can be a challenge for beginners, but intermediate and expert explorers will enjoy the sense of accomplishment when they reach its peak.
The Mt. Dellenbaugh Summit Trail has a steep elevation that peaks at 7,072 ft. Once you reach the top, you'll enjoy unbelievable views of the vast Arizona landscape, including the Grand Canyon. For people who want to get to the summit fast, you can take a four-wheeler on the designated trail for motorized vehicles.
Length: 6 miles
Intensity: Moderately Difficult
This area is home to the endangered desert tortoise. However, it can be difficult to spot the elusive reptiles as they spend 95 percent of their lives underground to stay cool. If you are lucky enough to encounter a desert tortoise, do not disturb it. You might also spot mule deer, donkeys, and hummingbirds on your hike in the area.
You should also prepare in case you come into contact with a mountain lion. If you encounter a mountain lion, stay calm. Make yourself look bigger using your arms, maintain eye contact, and slowly back away. While attacks are rare, fight back if a mountain lion attacks.
You can find many picnic areas in the region, including scenic ones accessible through a helicopter tour, like Maverick Helicopters Grand Canyon Picnic Area. The summit of Mt. Dellenbaugh is a great place to enjoy a picnic, but you'll need to bring your own supplies since it's not a developed picnic spot.
Many people celebrate the climax of their hike by finding the rock inscribed by William Dunn in 1869, one of the mountain's first explorers. The inscription isn't exactly at the summit. Furthermore, it's faded, so it's difficult to find. Good luck!
You won't want to go home after your experience at Mt. Dellenbaugh, and you don't have to, thanks to the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the area.
The mountain road doesn't accommodate RVs, so to enjoy both Mt. Dellenbaugh and RV life, check out the developed RV camping spots and find a place to stay at one of the nearby campgrounds, like Camp RM202, Tuweep Campground, Torowepe Road BLM, and Jacob's Landing Ranch. A terrific option in St. George is the St. George RV Park. It has a lot of perks, like cable TV, a large picnic area, barbecue patios, and spotless facilities. With more than 100 camping sites and full water, sewer, and power hookups, it's a great place to pull up your RV for the night.
Some people decide to continue their adventure after conquering the mountain and continue to Grand Canyon National Park, which has numerous RV campsites on-site. If you want to see all your BLM options, visit the BLM website and search for "BLM camping near me."
Bureau of Land Management free camping doesn't apply at the Mt. Dellenbaugh trail. That said, you can find spots in the general vicinity to spend the night if you want to live off the land for up to 14 days within a 28-day period. Research all rules put in place before you set up camp.
When planning your trip to Mt. Dellenbaugh, the biggest concern is how remote the area is. Prepare by filling your gas tank since you won't find many gas stations on your drive through the Arizona Strip.
Pack plenty of food and water for your hike as there aren't accommodations on-site. Since the conditions can become hazardous during the summer and winter, plan your visit in spring or fall.
While the trail isn't too challenging for most of the hike, be prepared to face your fear of heights at the summit. Luckily, you'll be rewarded with beautiful views. Despite the remote location, Mt. Dellenbaugh attracts a lot of explorers, so you'll likely encounter other hikers on the trail.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
BLM encourages all guests to adopt the Leave No Trace philosophy. The concept revolves around the idea that we should appreciate nature without causing any damage to the area, such as by leaving litter or removing natural items. Clean up after yourself and establish a safe distance from all wildlife you encounter to prevent disturbing them.
From St. George, Utah, travel down BLM 1069 south for 22 miles through high valleys. You will encounter County Road 5 near the ghost town of Wolf Hole. Drive down County Road 5 until you reach County Road 103. Turn right onto County Road 103 for 41 miles. You'll see the trailhead at around the 30-mile mark.
Ready to visit Mt. Dellenbaugh? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
