The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The 400-mile-long Sevier River starts just west of Bryce Canyon National Park, at the confluence of the Minnie Creek and Tyler creeks, and runs north through Utah's spectacular Great Basin. Many recreationists access this river near Richfield, Utah as it meanders through the earth-toned walls of Sevier Canyon. It's a prime spot for fishing, hiking, and rafting. The trails and certain camping areas around this BLM site are managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management, which cares for nearly 22.8 million acres of public lands in Utah and many more across the country. Accessing the river at Sevier Canyon is easy because Utah State Highway runs down its west side. This river, the longest one entirely in Utah, ends at the salt-encrusted Sevier Lake. This part of the Sevier River is about 66 miles northwest of Capitol Reef National Park and about 175 miles west of both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
The paved Candy Mountain Express Trail follows part of the path the Marysvale Line of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad took through the Sevier Canyon. As you hike along, you will notice historical railroad and mining equipment. It crosses Clear Creek and the Sevier River before ending in Sevier, Utah. Length: 8 miles Intensity: Moderate
The Cave of 100 Hands Trail at Fremont Indian State Park starts at the southwest corner of the visitor center parking lot. This paved trail runs to a cave, where you can see 31 sets of handprints believed to be left by Fremont Native Americans. The cave's walls also contain other pictographs. Length: 0.6 miles Intensity: Easy
Explore history by stopping at each numbered site along the Alma Christensen Trail within Fremont Indian State Park and Fishlake National Forest. One of the highlights of following this trail is exploring a reconstructed wickiup that was formerly part of a Numic camp. Length: 1.5 miles Intensity: Easy
The East Fork of the Sevier River is a popular place to go fishing for cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout. Some of the best fishing is on streamers in the middle of Kingston Canyon. While anglers can only use artificial lures and bait, Black Canyon is a prime spot to fish for brook trout on the East Fork.
Monroe Canyon near Richfield is a super spot to climb on volcanic rock. Both sides of The Narrows, created by Monroe Creek, offer sports climbs ranging in difficulty from 5.8 to 5.10. Climb in this area when water levels are low.
Nine Mile Canyon stretches for 46 miles and promises sightings of remarkable wildlife, like pronghorn antelope and red-tailed fox. It also holds a significant cultural treasure — the oldest rock art in Utah. Get to this location by heading north on Soldier Creek Road from its intersection with US 191 for about 20 miles. On the way, make a pitstop at the Daddy Canyon Trailhead for a picnic, some hiking, and more wildlife viewing.
Monrovian Park Picnic Site in Fishlake National Forest is an ideal spot for a picnic. Gaze at the jagged rocks, and enjoy the shade of old-growth trees while listening to the creek babble by the picnic tables and grills. There are several nearby hiking trails to explore.
There is no established RV camping option at Sevier River, but there are great options nearby, including Bureau of Land Management campgrounds and state-operated ones. There are two campgrounds at Fremont Indians State Park and Museum, and primitive camping is available at Piute State Park. Millsite State Park is an excellent option for mountain bikers and anglers wanting to fish on Millsite Reservoir.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is allowed at Sevier River. In Fishlake National Forest, go boondocking in a grassy meadow at Big Flat CUA Dispersed, which is a terrific option for riders of the Paiute ATV Trails. Riders will also want to consider Fishlake National Forest's Lower Box Creek Trailhead. Anglers can find camping options at Manning Meadows CUA Dispersed, on Manning Reservoir's shores. While established Bureau of Land Management campgrounds with facilities are unavailable in this area, consider staying at these national forest campgrounds.
This area is prone to flash flooding when heavy rain falls quickly, usually between mid-July and mid-September, so be prepared to relocate your campsite if needed. If heavy rain falls at higher elevations, it can drain down into the river. If you see the water level rising rapidly, especially if it looks muddy, move to higher elevations immediately. Camping in Bureau of Land Management campgrounds helps save money, so you might want to do a search for "BLM camping near me" wherever you roam. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
When camping, riding ATVs, hiking, fishing and enjoying other outdoor activities, it is essential to clean up after yourself. Practicing the "Leave No Trace" guidelines is mandatory when enjoying the BLM lands. Create a plan before you start to pack out any trash that you generate. It is a great idea to leave as much packaging at home as possible so you do not have to try to contain it outdoors.
Getting to the Sevier River from Marysvale, Utah is easy. Start by getting on County Road 1456P heading south. Continue until you reach US 89 South and turn left. Go 5.3 miles and turn left on East Bullion Avenue. Continue until you have crossed the river, and the area will be on your right. Latitude/Longitude: 38.25986, -111.304604 Ready to visit Sevier River? 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.
