Welcome to Logan and beautiful Cache Valley. In the 1820s, fur trappers roamed this area and stashed their furs in caches, a French word that means "to hide or store one's treasure." Now it's your turn to discover the many treasures waiting for you in this high mountain agricultural valley known for outdoor adventures, hands-on heritage experiences, and performing and fine arts.
Mountain biking, canoeing, fly fishing, bird watching, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are a few of our outdoors attractions. Take a 45-minute drive through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and its dramatic mile-high limestone cliffs along the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway on your way to the beautiful turquoise waters of Bear Lake.
Logan is the hub of the Bear River Heritage Area, a seven-county region full of unique heritage experiences. Stop in at the American West Heritage Center, a 160-acre living-history center where you can experience firsthand the history of the Old West. Depending on the day (spring and summer), you'll visit with Native Americans, mountain men, farmers, and pioneers. For a true taste of the area you'll enjoy the Cache Valley Food Tour where you can sample famous foods made in the area including cheeses, chocolates, coffee, cookies, honey, fruit, ice creams, and pastries.
The city of Logan is home to Utah State University, an extreme adventure amusement park, a dozen art galleries and specialty shops, great examples of early Mormon pioneer architecture, and the stunning 1923 Ellen Eccles Theatre, home of the renowned Utah Festival Opera company and other nationally touring productions.
Outdoor Recreation
Biking - You can't beat scenic cycling rides through Cache Valley's small towns and farming communities. You'll enjoy wide open space on little-used roadways. Mountain biking is very popular in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest where the scenery includes rivers and lakes, forested canopies, and meadows of wildflowers. The MS 150 Bike Tour, Cache Classic, and LOTOJA bike races are all held in the Logan area.
Birdwatching - This region is known for many species of birds that make their home in Cache Valley. Our unique geography means you can see shorebirds and mountain species all within a 20-minute drive. Cache Valley is nestled between the Brigham City and Bear Lake Bird Refuges. Here, you'll spot birds along the Bear River, directly west of Logan. In spring and summer, Cutler Marsh offers viewing in classic wetland habitat. White pelicans, great blue herons, common egrets, western grebes, plus a variety of ducks, geese, and shorebirds may be seen from roadways or you can rent a canoe or kayak for a close-up experience. The number and diversity of marsh birds is spectacular. In early autumn, visit the north end of the Wellsville Mountain wilderness to watch the annual raptor migration. Northern harriers, kestrels, goshawks, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, and other species float by, lifted by canyon updrafts that ease their relentless flight south.
Boating / Water Sports - Cache Valley is the gateway to beautiful Bear Lake, a spacious water sports summer paradise. The 41-mile drive along Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway is impressive. In addition, four reservoirs are located in Cache Valley: Hyrum Dam is popular for waterskiing, fishing, and boating; Porcupine Reservoir is a great getaway and fishing spot; and water skiers also enjoy Newton and Cutler Reservoirs. Tony Grove Lake is a glacial lake located just 7 miles off Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway. It is known for its beautiful wildflowers, hiking, fishing, and canoeing. It is not open to motorized boats.
Fishing - Anglers will find some of the best fishing in the Rocky Mountain West in Cache Valley's lakes and rivers, including Blacksmith Fork River, Logan River, and Bear Lake. Logan and Bear Rivers are known for their blue-ribbon fly-fishing. Second Dam is fully accessible. Tony Grove Lake is stocked with rainbow trout. The largest fish caught in Logan Canyon was reported to be 40 pounds. Nearby Bear Lake offers exciting fishing for trophy cutthroat and lake trout, ranging in size from 2 to 25 pounds. The annual dip netting for the small Bonneville Cisco, native only to Bear Lake, takes place in January and February.
Hiking - Interesting trails throughout the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and Cache Valley combine with wonderful weather during spring, summer, and fall to make hiking a delight for all ages and abilities. Logan Canyon boasts some of the most picturesque landscapes anywhere. Spring Hollow is located about 4.3 miles up the canyon and is an easy half-mile walk to one of the region's most photographed streams. An 11-mile trail winds its way to the 1,500-year-old Jardine Juniper tree. A popular 2-mile hike to the Wind Caves offers an outstanding example of arches and rooms formed by wind and ice erosion. The 1-mile Limber Pine trail, located at the summit of Logan Canyon, features interpretive information designed especially for children.
Ski & Snowboard - Nothing beats cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on a crisp winter day in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest or at Sherwood Hills. There are routes for all levels of experience. You're likely to see deer, elk, moose, snowshoe hare, cottontails, ermine, porcupines, and a variety of birds. Beginner areas are located in Sink Hollow, at the entrance of Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, and at Sunrise Campground on U.S. Hwy. 89, which overlooks Bear Lake and is near the Logan Canyon summit. A groomed track in Green Canyon offers excellent skiing just minutes from downtown Logan.
Snowmobiling - Northern Utah is one of America's favorite snowmobile playgrounds. Experience more than 300 miles of groomed trails through spectacular scenery with terrain that's as challenging or easy as you want it to be. The Bridgerland snowmobile complex in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest includes Logan Canyon, Monte Cristo, and Hardware Ranch. Some trails extend into Idaho's adjacent Caribou National Forest. The snowmobile season begins in December and often extends into April or May. The average annual snowfall in Logan Canyon is 400+ inches.
Lakes
Bear Lake State Park - Bear Lake is the Caribbean of the Rockies with stunning turquoise water and white sandy beaches. This is Utah's second largest freshwater lake, nearly 20 miles long and 8 miles wide. This popular resort destination offers boating, jet skiing, scuba diving, fishing, swimming, and sailing in the summer. Watercraft, sailboats, and ski boats can be rented in town and on the beaches. Winter recreation includes snowmobiling and skiing in nearby Logan Canyon and ice fishing on the lake. ?The area is famous for its delicious raspberries. Enjoy a raspberry shake and other raspberry products. Bear Lake has more than 200 overnight accommodations and 880 campsites around the lake.
Hyrum Lake State Park - This beautiful 450-acre manmade lake offers boating, year-round fishing, waterskiing, camping, and swimming. Facilities include a 32-unit campground with one ADA site, modern restrooms, showers, a concrete boat ramp, and a sandy beach. A group camping area is available by reservation for reunions and parties. The park is located only 15 minutes from downtown Logan. Blacksmith Fork Canyon and Hardware Ranch Elk Refuge are only 16 miles to the east.
Tony Grove Lake (Wasatch-Cache National Forest) - Known as the crown jewel of the Bear River Range, this glacial lake greets visitors with an explosion of summer wildflowers and lush green plants. Tony Grove was formed by powerful and slow-moving glaciers, as evidenced by the huge boulders deposited around the lake. Moose are often spotted taking advantage of the water's cool summer temperatures. There is a $3 parking fee for day use at the lake. Stay overnight in one of 34 campsites at the campground. Picnic areas and a fully accessible boardwalk are located near the water. The turn-off to the lake is 19.6 miles up Logan Canyon off U.S. Hwy. 89. A 7-mile road climbs to 8,050 feet.
Dining
Cache Valley boasts more than 70 restaurants from Thai to Mexican, Indian, Italian, and more. From fine dining to family favorites, you'll love your Cache Valley dining experience.
Lodging
Cache Valley has over 876 affordable, high-quality overnight accommodations including well-recognized chains and unique bed and breakfasts. Rooms are modern, comfortable, clean, and very reasonable. All accommodations are in good, safe areas.
Shopping
Logan's historic downtown features unique clothing stores, jewelry shops, antique stores, gift shops, book stores, and art galleries. We're also home to the Cache Valley Mall as well as dozens of other specialty stores.
Events
There's always something exciting happening in Cache Valley. From world-class bicycling events and cross-country marathons, to award-winning opera, classic car shows, art strolls, and wild West festivals, we've got something for everyone.
For a calendar of events in the Cache Valley area, click here.