Logan

Logan, Utah sits in the cradle of the beautiful Cache Valley, a high mountain valley in the northern part of the state known for outdoor adventures, hands-on heritage experiences, and performing and fine arts. Cache is a French word that means to hide or store one's treasure. Downtown Logan is only a 5-minute drive from hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing, and bird watching in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Logan is a great stopover on trips to Bear Lake, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, sure, but you'll want to linger to sample the town's excellent local food and vibrant performing arts scene.

For dining, Locals flock to Logan's Heroes for some of Cache Valley's best sandwiches or the unbeatable portions of Angie's restaurant. Bluebird is Utah’s longest established restaurant is a step back in time with its old-fashioned soda fountain and classic décor. Tandoori Oven and Takara Sushi are local highlights of cuisine from across the Pacific. For a great local food experience, here's a sample thirty-second itinerary highlighted on the Local Chefs page: Caffe Ibis and Crumb Brothers for organic coffee and breakfast, Jack's Wood Fired Oven for lunch, Elements for dinner.

The city of Logan is home to Utah State University, whose alumni get their nickname, "Aggies," from the school's beginnings as an agricultural college. You'll also enjoy art galleries, specialty shops, Mormon pioneer architecture, community festivals, and live performances at the 1923 Ellen Eccles Theatre. Ellen Eccles, along with Caine Lyric Theatre, and USU's Performance Hall boast nationally and internationally touring productions year-round. During the summer months, Utah Festival Opera presents more than 100 events.

Culturally, the Logan area hosted the Shoshoni tribe’s ancestral hunting for thousands of years, mountain men in the 1820s, and Mormon pioneer settlers beginning in the 1850s. Logan, Utah is home to great examples of early Mormon pioneer architecture, including the Temple and Tabernacle, historic courthouse and Old Main building on the campus of Utah State University.

Stop by the Visitors Bureau in the 1882 courthouse for info on a self-guided walking tour of historic downtown Logan, heritage driving tour, historic homes, heritage food tour, museums and more.

The Logan Utah Temple was the second LDS temple built in the Rocky Mountains and was completed in 1884.

Getting Here

Logan is 90 minutes north of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake City International Airport. Follow I-15 to exit 362 U.S. 91/89 through Brigham City the Wellsville Canyon highway system, known by some locals as Sardine Canyon. Continuing along U.S. 89 toward Bear Lake is the scenic route to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.

Things to Do in Logan, Utah

Logan Canyon

Between the beautiful agricultural lands of Cache Valley and the turquoise-blue waters of Bear Lake lies the 41-mile Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway. This section of historic Highway 89 carves a winding path through 500 million years of breathtaking geology and national forest lands before hitting a summit pass approaching 8,000 feet.

In addition to a well-developed trail system, travelers will find developed and dispersed camping throughout the canyon and several opportunities to get off-road, on a bike, in the water or maybe in front of some wildlife. The Tony Grove area of Logan Canyon is a great option, where you can reserve a campsite and find accessible nature trails or more strenuous climbs to nearby peaks like the splendid Mount Naomi and the adjacent Mount Naomi Wilderness.

Utah State University

Utah’s venerable land-grant agricultural school in the scenic Cache Valley is known for top-notch academics, nationally recognized research, Division I athletics, and more than 200 student clubs and organizations. Utah State University, nationally recognized for its education, food science and businesses, and aerospace programs. You can count on there being excellent ice cream from the creamery, housed in the Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Building. Look for Aggie Ice Cream around town.

Beaver Mountain

Beaver Mountain sits in the northeast corner of Utah, a quick 27 miles from Logan. With 828 acres of prime mountain terrain blanketed annually with 400 inches of The Greatest Snow on Earth®. Though modest in size compared to other Utah resorts, some runs at Beaver Mountain have a length of over two miles and are just the perfect length for getting into the perfect groove run after run.

Cherry Peak Resort

At long last, Utah’s newest winter resort will open for the 2015–16 season following design improvements to the Grand Lodge and expansion in the resort’s ski lift and snowmaking plans. Cherry Peak is about 17 miles north of Logan.

Hyrum State Park

The reservoir of Hyrum State Park is a terrific year-round fishing destination in the lush Cache Valley of Northern Utah. Anglers can pursue bass, trout, perch and bluegill while the whole family will enjoy the cool waters for a variety of water sports. Also near Blacksmith Fork Canyon, the park is a great base camp for hikers, bikers and rock climbers.

What's Nearby

Hardware Ranch Elk Refuge

The Hardware Ranch Elk Refuge offers winter horse-drawn sleigh rides to view a herd of Rocky Mountain elk, BBQ dinners, a museum and gift shop. Blacksmith Fork Canyon, Mile 22, East State Road 101, (435) 753-6206.

American West Heritage Center

The American West Heritage Center is a celebration of living history where experience activities that honor these groups and our agricultural heritage on their 160-acre, 1919 working farm. You'll find Native American, mountain men and pioneer history among its many annual events, including the popular Baby Animals Days and Fall Harvest Festival. 4025 S. Highway 89/91, Wellsville, (800) 225-FEST, (435) 245-6050.

Bear Lake

Bear Lake State Park is at the end of the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway. Read more about that destination here. Year-round, enjoy a number of recreational and cultural activities. Experience the rush of snowmobiling on our 350 miles of groomed trails and wide open play areas and scenic ice fishing. Throughout the summer, navigate your personal watercraft across 70,000 acres of cool turquoise water or feel the rod-bending excitement of a Bear Lake cutthroat on the end of your fishing line.

For more detailed information on Logan, Utah attractions, accommodations and dining, visit Cache Valley Visitors Bureau www.explorelogan.com.

Logan