Highlights of Logan Canyon Scenic Byway

Logan residents drive the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway year-round for recreation, a chance to enjoy the great outdoors, and the pure exhilaration that Logan Canyon scenery provides. They have favorite haunts such as Tony Grove Lake, Second Dam, or China Row, where an atmosphere of shady trees, mossy banks, and clear water feeds the imagination.

Visitors to Logan Canyon find themselves in an undiscovered wilderness, an enchanted forest, or in the mountains of a distant country. From the mouth of the canyon at First Dam to the captivating overlook at Bear Lake, Logan Canyon scenery draws audiences that come back to see the performance change.

As you begin your ascent to the summit of Logan Canyon Scenic Byway, you'll find yourself overshadowed by the towering mountains, the tops of which are one mile above the road. Just below the road, the Logan River flows over a rocky bed through a series of dams. Each dam has its own inviting qualities.

scene of logan canyon scenic byway
©byways.org
Striking mountain views are common along Logan Canyon Scenic Byway.

Ducks swimming among cattails and reeds set a tranquil scene for anglers at Third Dam and Spring Hollow. A collection of shady picnic tables along the water's edge at Second Dam entices visitors for a lunchtime stop. Later on the drive, the mountains pull apart, revealing grassy meadows on either side of the byway.

Evergreen pine and juniper intermingled with deciduous maples and aspen provide a contrast of color that makes Logan Canyon a superb road in the fall. Strips of deep red run in the crevasses of the mountainsides where a cluster of maples is growing. Perhaps one of the best times to enjoy the late fall is just after a rainstorm, when low-lying clouds float just above the road and every tree and leaf displays rich browns, oranges, and reds.

You may have trouble naming the most beautiful scenic highlight on the byway or even pinpointing what makes the byway beautiful. It's the way rocky precipices jut out of the mountainside; the way the mountainside slopes upward, taking a forest of trees with it; the way the trees become brilliant red in the fall; and the way the road winds through it all that make the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway one of the most enchanting drives in the country.

For your own Logan Canyon must-see tour, consider following this itinerary.

Second Dam: From summer to spring, Second Dam is one of the most popular fishing spots on the byway. Just a short drive up the canyon, Second Dam is a wilderness getaway with mountains on all sides and shady picnic areas.

Wind Caves: Years of wind and water have worn a delicate triple arch and natural cave into the limestone outcropping at the top of this two-mile trail. Also known as the Witch's Castle, this fascinating formation provides a clear view of China Row.

Logan Cave: This used to be a popular cave to explore, but because of vandalism in 1998, the Forest Service gated and locked the cave entrance. The upside is that by keeping people out of the cave, the native bat population will likely thrive. Nevertheless, curious travelers still make short hikes to the mouth of the cave to peer into its dark recesses.

Ricks Springs: Ricks Springs has been a wayside stop for a long time. Early settlers drank the water here and experienced discomfort because the water does not come from a natural spring.

Tony Grove Lake and Mount Naomi Wilderness Area: A seven-mile paved road climbs to a height of 8,050 feet to reach Tony Grove Lake and the Mount Naomi Wilderness Area. The area around this glacial lake explodes into wildflowers in the early summer. The campground features 37 popular sites. A popular 0.8-mile trail takes visitors around part of the lake.

Bear Lake Overlook: On a clear day, Bear Lake sparkles an unusually clear turquoise blue. A display explains the history and geology of the lake and surrounding area.

Whether cycling, hiking, or just lounging at a picnic, anyone who enjoys the outdoors must experience the enchanting journey down the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway.

Find more useful information related to Utah's Logan Canyon Scenic Byway:

  • Utah Scenic Drives: Logan Canyon Scenic Byway is just one of the scenic byways in Utah. Check out the others.
  • Logan, Garden City: Find out what there is to do in these cities along Logan Canyon Scenic Byway.
  • Scenic Drives: Are you interested in scenic drives beyond Utah? Here are more than 100 scenic drives throughout the United States.
  • How to Drive Economically: Fuel economy is a major concern when you're on a driving trip. Learn how to get better gas mileage.