Scenic USA - Utah

Each day Scenic USA presents a new and interesting photo feature from somewhere in the United States. Chosen from a wide variety
of historic sites, city scenes, backcountry byways, points of interest and America's best parklands, this site offers the viewer hundreds
of unique vacation destinations and photographic subjects. Each feature is coupled with a brief explanation. For further detailed
information, links to other sites are provided, but are never to be considered an endorsement.

Logan Canyon Scenic Byway

Logan Canyon Byway - Tony Grove Lake Area - Utah

Photos by Susan Rovira
Susan Rovira Photography

     Just a short drive from Utah's I-15 and Brigham City, one of the country�s newest National Scenic Byways heads in a northeasterly direction on U.S. Route 89 from Logan to Garden City. Logan Canyon Byway Sign Taking about an hour's drive and covering a little over 40 miles, exploring the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway may keep travelers most of the day enjoying just the highlights. At the visitor center you may pick up a canyon guide or read through a byway orientation at the kiosk.
     Not far from the Idaho border and the Grand Tetons, this scenic route offers splendid scenery throughout the year. Beginning in Logan, the four lane route climbs over a ridge and narrows to two lanes as it drops into the canyon entrance. Following the swift flowing Logan River, the byway offers many hiking trails, one of the best ways to thoroughly explore the byway features.
     Fishing anyone? The Logan River and Second Dam are among the favorite haunts for area anglers. For hikers and arch hunters, the Wind Caves Trail steadily climbs the steep limestone cliffs, facetiously called the China Wall. If the Wind Cave hike is out of the question, there's a good chance you can spot the cave and triple arch from the Dewitt Picnic Area.
     A late spring trip to Tony Grove Lake and the Mount Naomi Wilderness Area offers some of the most spectacular scenery on the byway. In this view, during early to mid July, the area around the glacial lake explodes with spring wildflowers. Tony Grove Lake - Logan Canyon Byway With the Beaver River Range as a backdrop, four separate trails take in this remarkable 4500 acre wilderness.
     After rejoining the byway from Tony Lake, the highway approaches the summit. Here at MM-505, the Blind Hollow Trail loops through a fir and aspen forest. Especially enchanting in the fall, the summit trail as well as the entire byway is a popular destination for leaf-peepers. From late September through mid October the Wasatch-Cache National Forest is blanketed in crimson, gold and yellow foliage.
     One of the last byway stops offers an incredible bird's eye view of Bear Lake. Best seen from the visitor center overlook, this 20 mile long body of water, with its beautiful turquoise waters, is a favorite among swimmers, water skiers and sailors.

    Byway Map