Logan, UT Road Trips

Cache Valley has somewhat more extreme weather compared to the urban centers of the Wasatch Range. Winters are cold, with daytime temperatures rarely getting above freezing and overnight lows frequently dropping below 0 °F (-18 °C). Snow is less frequent than in Salt Lake City but the individual storms are usually larger. Cache Valley also has one of the worst inversions in the state, in which cold, moist air and pollutants can become trapped in the valley. A simple five minute ride up any of the canyons will get you out of the inversion and into some of the most beautiful winter mountain landscapes in all of Utah. Spring and fall are wild and feature frequent temperature changes with possibilities of snow as early as October and as late as May. Summer is cooler than in Salt Lake City but still hot, with daytime temperatures generally ranging from 75 °F (24 °C) to 95 °F (35 °C) - they rarely reach above 100 °F (38 °C). It is, however, far enough north that it avoids most of the summer thunderstorms.

Willow Park. Located in Southwest Logan. Willow Park is huge and a great place for picnics or to take the kids. It has three different playgrounds and a zoo with a wide variety of species. It's also right next to the Aquatic Center (the largest public swimming pool in the valley), Logan's only skate park, and the Fairgrounds, where the Fair takes place at the end of every August. 1 Logan Canyon. Located along US 89 northeast of Logan, Logan Canyon is a long, scenic canyon that offers numerous hiking and camping opportunities. Tony Grove, near the summit, is among the most popular camping area, and marks the beginning of several trails. Beaver Mountain, further up the canyon, is the local ski area. Logan Canyon itself is very scenic, and offers spectacular fall colors that rival those of New England. During winter, temperatures are excessively cold and the road may be closed at any time due to heavy snow. Numerous sinks lie near Logan Canyon, and these areas are popular for snowmobiling. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Utah was in Peter's Sink, near Logan Canyon, a frigid -69 °F (-56 °C). Cave exploring and rock-climbing are also popular activities in Logan Canyon. 2 Logan Tabernacle. Found on Center and Main of downtown Logan, this building and surrounding landscaping is worth a glance. A monument heralding Mormon pioneers lies in the northwest corner. Check for details on tours. 3 Logan Temple, 175 N 300 E. The second temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints finished in Utah dominates the Cache Valley skyline day and night.

Much of the fun to be had around Logan is in the form of outdoor travel by foot, bike, or ski. Hiking and mountain biking are very popular in the summer but varied elevation change significantly affects outdoor activity seasons. Low, south facing trails like the Wind Caves can often be hiked as early as March, while areas above 9000' are usually not hikeable until late June or early July, maintaining broad areas of snow until August. Temperature varies with elevation as well, usually temps at 8000' are 20 °F cooler than in Logan, and increasingly colder with elevation gain. Summer hail and rain storms are common in high areas when there is no precipitation in Logan. Most hiking trails can also be done in the winter on snowshoes or backcountry skis, although the less steep ones tend to be more friendly for snow travel. Hike the Wind Caves trail. 2.6 mile round trip, 900' elevation gain. The trail winds up the north side of Logan Canyon, through maple groves, to a small formation of caves and arches. Offers a beautiful view down into the canyon as well. Trailhead is ~5 miles up US 89 into Logan Canyon, located on the north side of the road opposite Guinavah-Malibu Campground. This is a fairly steep trail and is very popular. Hike the Naomi Peak trail. 5.8 mile round trip, 1980' elevation gain. Naomi Peak (9980') is the highest point in the Bear River Range. The trail leads through meadows full of wildflowers to the peak, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and of Cache Valley. Trailhead is located at Tony Grove Lake.

Angies, 690 North Main. "where the locals eat" - ask about the "kitchen sink" for dessert. Cafe Sabor, 600 W Center St, ☏ +1 435 752-8088. Very good Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurant. Located in a former railway station. Le Nonne, 132 N. Main St, ☏ +1 435 752-9577. Great Italian cuisine with a good selection of wines! This restaurant is located on 100 E, just around the corner from Caffè Ibis. The restaurant is a beautiful old house that has been converted, and includes a tranquil, tree-shaded outdoor dining area. Highly recommended! Takara Sushi, 55 W 1000 N. (Previously named "Tanpopo"). Fine Japanese food in the heart of Cache Valley. The Shogun platter is highly recommended. Tandoori Oven, 1000N 700E. Offers delicious Indian food. Opt for menu items instead of the buffet. Thai House, 51 West 200 South. Authentic Thai food in a great atmosphere. Very good food. 1 Sabores, ☏ +1 435 750-5555. 11-20:30. International food. 5USD. (updated Aug 2021) Firehouse Pizzeria, ☏ +1 435 787-4222. 11AM-10PM M-Th 11AM-11PM F-Sa Closed Sunday. Wood-fired pizza with pasta and salads. Try their focaccia. (updated Aug 2021) Pizza Pie Café, 25 E 1400 N, ☏ +1 435 753-5590. Pizza buffet with pasta buffet and salad bar. (updated Apr 2023) Caffè Ibis, 52 Federal Ave (in downtown Logan). Offers excellent organic, shade-grown coffee, as well as sandwiches and wraps fresh from the deli. Every now and then it features a live local band. Westside Coffee, 285 North 100 West (in downtown Logan). Various breakfast and lunch options, and a variety of coffee drinks.

The White Owl, Center St (just west of Main St). Has a good selection of beers from inside and outside of Utah. During the summer the upstairs deck offers fresh air, good company, and a view of the Wellsville Mountains to the west. Tandoori Oven, 720 East 1000 north, ☏ +1 435 750-6836. Barrel and Stave, 35 E. Federal Ave..

Best Western Baugh Motel, 153 S Main St, ☏ +1 435 752-5220, toll-free: +1-800-462-4154, fax: +1 435 752-3251. Best Western Weston Inn, 250 N Main St, ☏ +1 435 752-5700, toll-free: +1-800-532-5055, fax: +1 435 752-9719. Comfort Inn, 2002 S Highway 89-91, ☏ +1 435 787-2060, fax: +1 435 787-4590. A campground, Traveland RV Park, is located behind the inn. Hampton Inn, 1665 North Main St, ☏ +1 435 713-4567, fax: +1 435 713-4568. University Inn. At Utah State University. Best place to sleep if you are on university business as it is right in the heart of the campus. Old Rock Church Bed & Breakfast (Providence Inn), 10 South Main Providence, ☏ +1 435 752-3432, toll-free: +1-800-480-4943. Pioneer built Bed & Breakfast. As is common, short-term rental services such as AirBNB are allowed in Logan. There are many developed and undeveloped places to camp in the Bear River Range. - US Forest Service 3-season campgrounds in Logan Canyon such as Bridger CG, Wood Camp, Spring Hollow CG, Preston Valley CG. The largest, Guinavah-Malibu, is closed for a major reconstruction project (until 2025). - There are USFS campgrounds in some of the other canyons like Smithfield and Blacksmith Fork. - Many minor canyons have pullouts along the road that can be stayed at. These are unmanaged, undeveloped, and are first-come-first-served. - Since the Bear River Range is managed by the US Forest Service, dispersed camping in the backcountry is generally allowed. Using this option requires backpacking gear.

Drive north on I-15 from Salt Lake City. Take exit 362 (Brigham City), and follow US 89/91 through the mountains (unofficially referred to as Sardine Canyon) into Cache Valley. The drive should take about 75-90 minutes. US 89 and 91 split in downtown Logan. US 89 heads east through the beautiful Logan Canyon to Bear Lake, a popular tourist destination, while US 91 heads north into Idaho. A regional airport also serves Logan although no commercial commuter flights are available at this time. Alternately you can also take I-15 N and take Exit 351 for Willard. The short UT126 section branches off towards US-89 for Logan and Ogden. Keep left at that fork and follow the road till you reach Brigham City and then the right lane will lead you towards Logan. This route is 7 miles shorter and a more comfortable drive with very little traffic. Salt Lake Express and Greyhound provide intercity bus service.

Main Street is heavily used and often congested but parallel streets often provide faster access within Logan. Traffic is generally moderate to mild once out of the city. Driving is generally the only good way to get farther up Logan Canyon, but walking and biking is a good way to reach the lower features in the canyon. Good bicycle infrastructure in Logan is sparse. Some moderate and major roads have painted bicycle lanes. Minor residential roads are very wide, so they usually have plenty of room for cyclists. Street width is thanks to the admonition of Brigham Young to lay out early Utah cities with streets wide enough to turn a double-team of horses and a buck-board around. Utah State University, on the east side of town, sits on the Provo Bench of ancient Lake Bonneville, about 250 feet higher than downtown Logan. This elevation difference can be a major deterrent to non-motorized transportation. The Connect Transit bus system serves Logan and surrounding communities with a simple route system that radiates out from the transit center every half hour. There are also clockwise and counter-clockwise routes hitting some of the more common destinations. Fares are free. All buses are equipped to carry two or three bicycles.

Logan has very little crime and has been repeatedly named as one of the safest cities in the country. It is still wise, however, to not forget about the basic tips. Winters can get very cold in Logan and proper precautions must be taken against the weather. Major snowstorms should also be prepared for, and the winter inversions may aggravate people with respiratory problems such as asthma.