Category: Experiences

The Oregon Short Line Company was established in 1878 to provide the Union Pacific Railroad access to the Pacific Northwest. The company announced in 1906 that it would construct a modern new depot in Brigham City. The depot was completed and opened to the public on May 19, 1907.

On May 10, 1869, the final spike was driven, completing the transcontinental railroad and revolutionizing travel across North America. Visit Golden Spike National Historic Site, and witness historic reenactments and locomotive demonstrations, and participate in ranger programs and films. You can take a self-guided auto tour over historic railroad grades. Within…

Discover what western life was like from 1820 to 1920 at this 160-acre living history center. Learn to spin wool, weave rugs, milk a cow or just enjoy the fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery on a wagon ride around the site. The center offers hands-on learning as you visit…

Located in Box Elder County, this park displays dozens of missiles and rockets outside a testing facility. ATK Launch Systems, (formerly Thiokol), founded in 1929 as Thiokol Chemical Corporation, is the world’s largest producer of high-technology solid rocket motors for space, defense, and commercial uses. They produce the giant solid…

Previously Riverdale Resort, Bear River Hot Springs features a large outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs fed by natural hot water, including a therapeutic jetted tub. A waterslide pool and children’s pool make this a good family outing. A gaming room and snack bar complement the changing and locker rooms….

Amazing numbers of birds can be viewed in Spring, Summer and Fall, at this world-famous national wildlife refuge. Nearly 74,000 acres of marsh, mudflat, seasonal wetlands and uplands attract shorebirds, waterfowl, herons, grebes, gulls, eagles, hawks and many other birds. “Throughout the refuge’s long rich past, it has not only…

The intersection of US Hwy 89 and US Hwy 30 at Montpelier is the site of the attractive National Oregon-California Trail Center dedicated to the history and scenic wonders of the 2000-mile Oregon-California Trail, part of the largest voluntary migration ever. The sites in this area are documented in diaries of the emigrants, in military records,…

Folk art at its best! Artistry in iron etches the skyline with prancing horses, wagons, and wheels. Have a picnic lunch or barbecue while your kids enjoy the playground, and view a display of horse-drawn wagons and equipment. Look for pieces like the Utah History timeline and the Bicentennial arch–all…

Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was purchased by the State of Utah in 1945 as a location to operate a winter feeding program for Rocky Mountain Elk. Hardware Ranch WMA also provides habitat for many other species of wildlife, promotes wildlife research and management, and offers visitors recreational wildlife…

Utah and Southeastern Idaho were settled first by the Shoshone. Today’s Shoshone are especially well-known for their beadwork. Stop by the offices of the Northwestern Band and get information on events and artisans from Patty Timbimboo-Madsen, Cultural and Natural Resource Director.

Artifacts from the early history of Paradise and southern Cache Valley are preserved in this museum which is housed in the old Mormon tithing office.

This changing gallery features the work of student artists. Twain Tippetts was invited to join the faculty at Utah State University in 1956 as head of the Fine Arts Department that included the academic units of visual art, theater and music. Through the years he headed the university's cultural arts…

Local and regional railroad history and artifacts. Located downstairs in the National Oregon/California Trail Center.

A 4.2 mile paved walking and biking trail that goes from Bear Lake State Park Marina to Ideal Beach with interpretive signs and park benches. Access the trail from any point along the route.

Birding is good all the way up High Creek to the trailhead at the roads end. Look for Winter Wren (June), American Dipper, Plumbeous Vireo, and Western Tanger. The scenery is also outstanding. Several trails depart from the trailhead and provide access the high mountain habitats within Mount Naomi Wilderness….

Birding area. Song birds, birds of prey, upland birds, water fowl, as well as Sandhill Cranes, Sharp-tail Grouse and Sage Grouse. Local habitat includes farmland, and mixed forest. Visit this site any season but winter.

A delightful family operated theatre that features “mellerdramers” and other productions suitable for any audience, along with a meal for any appetite before the show. And yes, there really was a town called Pickleville, right here! It was named after Warren W. Pickle, who secured funding for a culinary water…

Bear Lake has four species of fish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, with the Bonneville Cisco being the most well known. It is an annual ritual for many people to come during the cold month of January, hoping to net some of these little fish through…

Just outside Grace, Idaho, is the Niter Ice Cave. Formed around 500,000 years ago, this cave is a result of lava flows. Early settlers would use the cave for refrigeration. The cave has some graffiti, but it is a great lava tube for exploring.

Ranger districts typically manage recreation facilities and activities, handle special permits, and sponsor interpretive education programs. Stop by the Logan Ranger District and Visitor Center to load up on maps, get acquainted with recreation opportunities, check on current conditions, and learn more about how to keep the forest healthy. The…

This teaching museum houses exhibits on the early inhabitants of the Great Basin and other regions of the world. Admission is free, and docent guidance or self-guided exploration is available.

Cutler Marsh was created by the shallow water of the Bear River at the head of the Cutler Reservoir. It is best viewed from the bridges where roads cross the marsh, and the boat docks (restroom here), or by canoe. Expect many waterfowl and shorebirds. A 2.5 mile loop trail…

View mountain man and early pioneer relics and enjoy reading historical accounts of Cache Valley natives. Open June to September (Labor Day) or other times of the year by appointment

With the goal of appreciation and education about Welsh settlement in Malad Valley, the Welsh Society was formed in 2004. Malad is a natural location for a Welsh festival as it has the largest per capita concentration of persons of Welsh ancestry outside Wales itself. The Welsh Society has the following goals:…

This beautiful 450-acre man-made 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…

Limber Pine Nature Trail 004 Trailheads: Limber Pine Nature Trail, Bear Lake summit on US 89 about 30.7 miles from Logan Elevation Start/Middle/End:7800/7880/7800 feet Length: 1.3 mile round trip Ref map (7.5 min): Garden City Features: A short walk with an elevation change of about 80 feet attained by a…

The stunning aqua-blue waters of Bear Lake are the main feature of Bear Lake State Park. Enjoy a variety of activities in their seasons-waterskiing, sailing, swimming, scuba diving in summer. Year-round fishing for cutthroat, mackinaw, cisco, and whitefish. Join the fun of ice fishing in January during the annual Cisco…

The Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located on the north shore of Bear Lake.  Over 18,050 acres of the Dingle Swamp, open water and grasslands have been dedicated to preserving bird and wildlife habitat. The reserve is home to sandhill cranes, herons, snowy egret, white pelicans, Canada geese and…

All 45 birding sites are listed and each species is indexed on the chart in the publications Birding Trails in Southeast Idaho Map & Guide.

Whether you come for our first-class snowmobiling, mountain horseback rides, a family reunion or business retreat, Beaver Creek Lodge is the place for you. Located in beautiful Logan Canyon, Beaver Creek Lodge is 27 miles east of Logan Utah along scenic US Highway 89.

The James and Drusilla Hendrick's Camp Relic Hall is run by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Early Mormon, Native American, and other local history artifacts are preserved in this museum. Originally built for a Latter-day Saint Stake President as an office, the building is now owned by the city. The…

Interested in horse-drawn vehicles? Western filmmakers are! You won’t want to miss the largest private collection in the West. By appointment only, but their website hosts a virtual tour as well.

This area contains wetland and juniper habitats, expect to see song birds, birds of prey, upland birds water fowl. Some visitors have seen Trumpeter Swans in the winter, as well as Wild Turkey, Eagle and Osprey. Visit this site any season but winter.

Natural hot water flows year round through the large swimming pool and hot pools at Downata Hot Springs. The clubhouse provides changing room and lockers plus a café and game room. A zero depth water playground with water toys is popular with children. Two large hydrotube rides thrill all ages….

In an 1867 stage stop barn, the Old Barn Community Theatre produces four plays per year, each running four weekends. In the summer they host a barn burner with a Dutch oven dinner on opening night and at Christmas they host a Gala at opening.

Lucin, a small settlement that served a stretch of the Southern Pacific Railroad that is now abandoned is a west desert oasis sometimes referred to as a "warbler trap." At first glance Lucin looks like a small pond with some surrounding trees, but it is much more, especially during spring…

This site offers Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle (winter), Cinnamon Teal and Sandhill Crane. Directions on how to get there are available on the website. Take the Corrine exit off I-15.  When you get into the town of Corrine follow the signs that point you in the direction of the Golden…

The Amalga Barrens is a salt playa wetlands habitat several square miles in area with little human activity. Expect to see marsh birds, birds of prey, and many shorebirds. This site is on private lands, so please stay on the road to view wildlife. It's located in the center of…

This grassy park marks the first of three dams constructed to harness the power of Logan River for electricity.  On a sunny, spring day, the banks of First Dam come alive with picnickers, volleyball, sunbathers and college students.  Hopefully geese and ducks are always looking for a tasty crumb.  Local…

Mendon, Utah, is located in Northern Cache Valley. Surrounded by mountains, Mendon is a beautiful, small community with many heritage events including a May Day celebration. Mendon's website contains information about the history of Mendon, Utah, produced by local historian Rodney Sorenson.

This reservoir features shore birds, marine birds, upland birds, marsh birds, water fowl, Sage Grouse and many Sandhill Cranes in fall. Habitat includes wetlands, shrub steppe, and farmland. Visit this site any season but winter. There are also a variety of fish including Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and…

In the early 1900s the Hopkins family homesteaded the site where this hot springs was developed, and for many years it was known to locals as Hopkins Hot Springs. You can read about the interesting history of this family and the original uses of the site at the front desk…

The Hyrum City museum is in the beautiful new Hyrum City Library/Museum complex. The building was completed in May of 2007. Learn about the history of the Hyrum Utah area. Call for more information or to arrange a visit.

This reservoir features many types of birds, such as song birds, upland birds, marsh birds, water fowl, and more. Visit this site in spring and summer.

In 1881-1882, Mormon settlers came to this area north of Bancroft at the invitation of their friend and relative Chester Call, who had established a ranch nearby. Their hope was to build a thriving community, but in 1882, the Oregon Short Line Railroad was built through Bancroft instead of their…

Come watch newly hatched fish (fry and fingerlings), learn about fish reproduction and stocking, and maybe try your luck in a nearby creek! This fish hatchery was built in 1946 and supplies fish stock to southeast Idaho lakes, rivers, and streams. The primary fish produced in the hatchery’s 16 vats…

Riverside Nature Trail is one of the best birding spots in Logan Canyon. Look for Fox Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Hermit and Swainson's Thrush, Gray Catbird, Lazuli Bunting, Lincoln's Sparrow, Warbling Vireo, and Cordileran Flycatcher. Near Spring Hollow Campground is a small reservoir good for viewing Barrow's and Common Goldeneye during winter….

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Elite Hall in Hyrum, Utah, is a historic dance hall built to host a variety of community events. Although it was built in 1915 and is still in the process of restoration, the hall hosts a variety of events, from swing…

Printable walking tour of historic sites and buildings in the city of Providence, Utah. Download their walking tour brochure.

History comes to life in this museum where you can interact with costumed guides depicting some of the thousands who traversed the 2,000 miles of the Oregon/California Trails. Take an interactive and informative staged journey down the Oregon trail including a ride in the bumping covered wagon simulator. Visit Peg…

This working family farm was homesteaded in 1896 under the Homestead Act. The farmstead is on the National Register of Historic Places due to its unusual dairy barn that retains hay storage and dairy operations under one roof. Most dairy operations in the state either had separate buildings for each…

Located in Wasatch-Cache National Forest, this underground cave experience is one for the entire family. Its natural stalagmites, stalactites, and banded travertine have been forming for thousands of years and were discovered by Europeans in 1906. The cave is administered by the US Forest Service.

Bear River Meadows / Crawford Mountain Road is for the birdwatcher. This site offers Sandhill Crane, Long-billed Curlew, and American Bittern.

Local actors and actresses put on theater productions, and cowboy poetry is also hosted here.

This is a geological site with ancient volcanic flows and rhyolite domes. This area also features farmland and sagebrush steppe. The best time to visit is during spring and fall and is a great birdwatching spot. This is a stop along the Pioneer Historic National Scenic Byway.

This local museum is housed in a building that was built in 1914 as a drug store. The original safe and pressed-tin ceiling are still intact. The museum had its origins in a collection of mementos gathered by Miss Hattie Morgan and the Native Daughters of the Idaho Pioneers group…

This is a popular birding area with song birds, birds of prey, marine birds, marsh birds, water fowl, nesting sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans. Visit this site any season but winter.

The only national grassland in the intermountain West, the Curlew National Grassland was established in 1960 to improve soil and vegetation and promote sound agricultural practices. The land was cultivated and farmed in the early 1900s, and you can still see evidence of many old homesteads in the area. The…

Weston Creek Reservoir is a beautiful spot just 15 minutes outside of Malad, Idaho. You can enjoy fishing and birdwatching. No fishing from boats or rafts allowed, but you can have float tubes. Visit this site in the spring and summer as it is closed off during the winter.

The Daughters of Utah Pioneers built this museum in 1983. It features pioneer artifacts, Native American artifacts, and other relics found in the area left by the travelers on the Oregon Trail which went through Soda Springs.

This wetlands area offers song birds, shore birds, marine birds, marsh birds, water fowl, and Sandhill Cranes. Visit this site any season but winter. 1 mile east of Oxford, Idaho. Take Westside Highway north, from Dayton or south from Swan Lake.

Housed in Perry’s century-old former Mormon church building, the Heritage Community Theatre offers musicals, children’s theatre, and drama.

Emigration Campground is located in a forested setting just off of Idaho State Highway 36 between Preston and Montpelier, Idaho. The camp's location, near the High Line National Recreation Trail in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, affords scenic vistas of the Bear River Range and a variety of wilderness experiences. There…

This small museum hosts historic artifacts and photos from Paris, Idaho area. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, you can call Janelle Mattson at 208-945-2549 or Ann Massey at 208-945-2047.

The City of Rocks National Reserve features granite spires and monoliths reaching 60 stories tall. Geologists estimate the oldest granite to exceed 2.5 billion years. Established in 1988 as a national reserve, City of Rocks encompasses 14,407 acres of land (about one quarter is privately owned) and is renowned for…

The museum has one of the largest permanent collections in the Intermountain Region, featuring western and international artists, a fine ceramics collection, and Native American Artwork. Regularly changing exhibits bring a variety of fine arts and crafts to patrons.

Built on “Sagebrush Hill,” on a site chosen in 1865 by Brigham Young himself, this tabernacle took nearly fifteen years to build, then it was gutted by fire in 1896. The formerly somewhat plain building was rebuilt with a Gothic Revival tower and sixteen pinnacles. Free guided tours are available…

Whether you travel by foot, bicycle or car, a journey along the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway offers enough wild natural beauty, diverse recreational opportunities and fascinating stories to satisfy even the most demanding adventurer.  Located approximately ninety miles north of Salt Lake City, this winding stretch of U.S. 89 runs…

Find out about your family history at this fascinating center, which has computers that tie into the famous genealogy library located in Salt Lake City. Just type in your name, and find a long-lost relative! You can also reserve a time to digitize materials such as VHS and cassette tapes….

This site offers song birds, birds of prey, marine birds, marsh birds, and water fowl. There is also camping and restrooms available here. Visit this site any season.

Amble through the cattails and learn about wetlands ecology on this short boardwalk from Garden City Park to the lake shore.

This is a great area for birds with plenty of song birds, birds of prey, shore birds, marine birds, upland birds, marsh birds, water fowl, Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans. Visit this site any season.

Lava Hot Springs is a community rich in western history. The abundance of natural resources in the region such as the odor-free mineral hot springs, plentiful wildlife, and water supplies attracted many Native American tribes who welcomed the opportunity to bathe, rest and worship in an area regarded by all…

Dress as pioneers decked in a bonnet or hat of the times and pull handcarts to 20 campsites where you learn interesting pioneer history and reenact actual pioneer experiences. For example: getting caught in a cloudburst, scrubbing clothing on a wash board, negotiate with Native Americans for buffalo jerky, shaking…

Founded in 1970, the Brigham City Museum of Art & History is a regional art and history center. The important pioneer history of Brigham City is told with hands-on exhibits and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers' artifacts. Eliza's Attic is an introduction to the settlement's lifestyle while the interactive tool area…

Evidence suggests that folks have been coming to Castle Rocks for nearly 9,000 years. Campsites are nestled among Idaho's largest pinyon pine forest on the east slope of the 7,500-foot Smoky Mountain.

On this route, travelers can retrace some steps of Idaho's pioneers and follow the path taken by early-day Yellowstone Park visitors. From Franklin, Idaho's oldest settlement, it follows US Hwy 91 north to Preston, then Idaho State Hwy 34 north through Thatcher and Grace to US Hwy 30. It then goes east…

This reservoir is a great place for boating, fishing, swimming, and birdwatching. Local fiah include rainbow trout, channel catfish, blue gill, perch and small mouth bass. It has two boat access ramps with docks at Oregon Trail Park and Marina, located just off of Hwy 30 and two day use…

Birdwatchers can expect to see the Double-crested Cormorant, and the Dusky Flycatcher. There is also a campground next to the reservoir. For more birding, drive up either Old or New Canyon west of the reservoir.

This wetlands area offers song birds, marsh birds, water fowl, and many loons in the spring. Visit this site in spring and summer. Day use or camping fees are required and paid at the west entrance. Boats and watercraft must be inspected for Quagga mussels, before being allowed on the…

Nesting Species include Black-headed Grosbeak, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler, and Song Sparrow: Bonaparte's Gull, Bald Eagle, Common Tern, Hooded Merganser, and Common Loon in the fall and early winter. Visit this site any season. Get more information about Willard Bay on their website listed below. Boat, swim, water…

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…

Geothermal activity is evident throughout this region, and hot springs can be found in numerous locations along the western slopes of the Wasatch Mountains.  Crystal Hot Springs is a resort built around one of these natural hot springs 13 miles north of Brigham City in the town of Honeyville. It is…

The Hyrum City Museum has a historic tour of Hyrum, Utah, available on their website. Follow this map to see and learn about the historic houses, churches, and landmarks in Hyrum.