Behunin Cabin

The Behunin Cabin, located right alongside Highway 24 in Capitol Reef National Park, is a worthwhile stop if passing through the area. Note that no National Park fees are required to visit this section of the park.

This tiny cabin along the Fremont River was built in 1882 by Elijah Cutler Behunin and his family. At first glance it may be hard to believe that this one room cabin could be home for a family, but it is even harder to believe after you learn that Elijah and his wife had 13 kids! Many of the older kids had to sleep outside.

The desert climate here provided good conditions for growing crops, but also brought summer thunderstorms and frequent flash flooding along the Fremont River that quickly ruined the Behunin’s irrigation system and washed out crops.

Within a year of building this cabin the Behunin’s abandoned it and searched for a more suitable location, eventually settling up-canyon in what is now Fruita.