A visit to Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area is both fun and educational. During winter months, a trip to the ranch makes a great outing for the whole family with the memorable experience of viewing up to 700 wild Rocky Mountain elk. A horse drawn sleigh gives you up close and personal views as it takes you right into the middle of the herd. The area is also an extremely popular snowmobiling area.

During the summer, Hardware Ranch area provides great opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing. An extensive network of ATV trails will take you north all the way to Logan Canyon, Bear Lake, and southeast Idaho. Head south and explore the Monte Cristo area all the way to Ogden Valley.

The Cache Valley Visitors Bureau Gift Shop in Logan at 199 N. Main sells an excellent topographical map from National Geographic. It shows hiking trails, biking trails, horseback riding trails, and ATV trails for this entire area. A separate map covers the Monte Cristo area.

Canoe and boat rentals available during summer months. Call for details.

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.

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. Take cash or check as there is a $6 parking fee (as of Sept 2013) 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. (435) 755-3620

Zootah at Willow Park has dozens of different species to learn about and interact with and has one of the greatest waterfowl collections in the region, showcasing more than 100 species. The setting offers walkways among shady willow trees and children can feed the ducks, geese, and trout. See lemurs, red fox, coyotes, elk, bald eagles, deer, bobcats, and more. Picnic and playground areas are adjacent to the zoo.