The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Hermit's Cabin is a rock structure built by Bob Stinson in 1929. After returning from World War I, Stinson suffered a series of misfortunes that left him without a home. On his way to Delta, he discovered a small natural cave that he built up with loose rocks. This cave became known as Hermit's Cabin, and Stinson was called the Hermit of Marjum Pass. He cared for the nearby highway for decades until a new road was paved. This site is protected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency that monitors and preserves federal lands throughout the country. Visitors are welcome to respectfully tour and appreciate the structure. You'll also find plenty of local opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, auto touring, wildlife viewing and climbing.
Great Basin National Park is only about two hours away in Nevada. You'll also find Capitol Reef National Park 200 miles southeast of Hermit's Cabin. Visit Delta to stock up on supplies or spend some time at the Gunnison Bend Reservoir.
Challenge yourself to reach the top of Notch Peak on foot, bike or ATV. While this difficult trail is well-used during the summer, it's often quiet and secluded in the winter. Enjoy picturesque views of the surrounding valley and distant peaks.
Length: 8.2 miles
Intensity: Hard
The 79-acre Clear Lake Wildlife Area near Delta is open to seasonal fishing. Clear Lake is known for its catfish, black bass, largemouth bass, sunfish, and black and white crappie. Gunnison Bend Reservoir has a boat dock and several picnicking areas. The shallow water level keeps it warm, making it ideal for water sports like skiing.
Hermit's Cabin is surrounded by climbing spots like Notch Peak, Swasey Peak, Fossil Mountain and Crystal Peak. Climbing is also popular in Fishlake National Forest. The two highest points in this forest are Fish Lake Hightop and Bluebell Knoll. These peaks see a lot of precipitation during the year and are often covered in thick snow.
You may spot gray foxes, coyotes, mule deer, bobcats, bighorn sheep, elk and a variety of birds like vultures and hawks. Ospreys, eagles and waterfowl often make their nests close to water sources. The Snow Goose Festival at Gunnison Bend Reservoir is the second-largest wildlife event in the state. Held in February, it gives you the chance to see countless snow geese arrive back in the area.
Feel free to picnic outside Hermit's Cave as you snap pictures and enjoy the landscape. Many of the nearby reservoirs have picnic tables open to the public. The Amasa Basin One Day Ride has a picnic area where you can rest before trekking across the 33 miles of trails. While picnicking is allowed on most BLM lands, it's important to respect the environment by packing out all your trash.
Strap on your essentials and set out on an exhilarating off-roading experience. Many of the local trails are compatible with both hiking and ATVing. An ATV allows you to explore more of the land, giving you the full Utah experience. Bringing an ATV also gives you the chance to pack more water and supplies that could be vital while camping.
Search for "BLM camping near me" to find convenient Bureau of Land Management campgrounds near Hermit's Cabin. These campgrounds are maintained by the BLM, ensuring they're clean and accessible. While these RV camping sites often don't have electrical hookups, they may provide vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. The best part about BLM campgrounds is having direct access to exceptional landmarks, trails and fishing spots. You'll find several BLM campgrounds near Oak City, including White Sands Campground and Oasis Campground.
Many of the RV camping sites near Hermit's Cabin have limited amenities. Oak Creek Campground has vault and flush toilets, drinking water and an amphitheater. They're open seasonally and allow you to camp for up to 14 consecutive days. The Lower Lehman Creek Campground is busy during the summer due to the nearby Lehman Caves. This site provides vault toilets, fire rings and trash collection services.
Dispersed camping is a popular way to utilize Bureau of Land Management free camping sites. Set up a tent or park your RV near the Sink Hole, Amasa Basin One Day Ride or Howell Peak. By primitive BLM RV camping, you're likely to have more wildlife encounters due to fewer people being around. You also won't have to worry about your fellow campers disturbing your adventure.
Utah is home to more than 20 million acres of public land ready to be explored. It's always a good idea to pack more water than you think you'll need. Utah is full of challenging conditions like rocky trails and steep inclines. Snow can fall at any time of year in the mountains, so be sure to bring extra layers. Take paper maps or download trail guides before you head out. Intermittent cell service can quickly render your phone unusable, making it safer to rely on physical copies.
Finally, if you find yourself in a desert area, be aware of any sand mounds with crusty black or white peaks. Called cryptobiotic soil, these mini-mountains are vital to the health of local flora and fauna. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Be an ethical camper by traveling on established trails. If you're in a group, walk in a straight line and avoid trampling down the underbrush. Avoid feeding or interacting with the wildlife. Never try to establish camp in a pristine, untouched area. Minimize your impact on the environment by camping on solid ground and practicing safe fire habits.
From Delta, take Highway 6 & 50 west for about 33 miles. Turn right at the U-Dig Fossil sign and head north for another 10 miles. Once you reach the four-way intersection, continue left to Marjum Pass. After almost 13 miles, you'll find the rock house in a narrow canyon.
Address: 95 East 500 North, Fillmore, UT 84631
Ready to visit Hermit's Cabin? 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.
