Logan
and Vicinity
Hardware
Ranch, 18 miles east of Hyrum at the head
of Blacksmith Fork Canyon offers the opportunity
to view thousands of Rocky Mountain elk.
Wagon rides are offered through the summer. Sleigh
rides glide through the elk, December through
March. The visitor center features interpretive
materials on elk and telescope viewing of the
huge herd.
In
spring and summer Cutler Marsh, west of
Logan, offers wildlife viewing in classic wetland
habitat. A wide variety of birds may be viewed
from roadways or by canoe or kayak.
The
view from the ridge top at the north end of the
Wellsville Wilderness, west of Cache Valley,
in early autumn highlights the annual raptor migration.
Northern harriers, kestrels, goshawks, red-tailed
hawks, golden eagles and other species float
by, lifted by canyon updrafts which ease their
relentless flight south. A vigorous two-hour hike
climbs to this unique setting.
The
Briderland Travel Region (435-752-2161) can provide
more information on this area.
Brigham
City and Vicinity
One
of the most productive wetland complexes in the
nation is at the Bear River Migratory Bird
Refuge. Visitors can drive the 12-mile scenic
tour and see habitat for more than 200 species
of birds.
Golden
Spike National Historic Site provides viewing
of one of the few sharp-tailed grouse populations
in Utah. These birds may be seen strutting on
their breeding grounds at daybreak in late winter
and early spring.
Ogden
and Vicinity
At
Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area peak
numbers of migratory ducks occur in September,
and this spectacle may be viewed by hiking along
the dikes or from the vehicle loop.
The
Ogden Nature Center (801-621-7595) is the
only city-centered nature habitat in the state,
providing a wildlife sanctuary and nature trails.
The
North Arm Viewing Site, adjacent to Pineview
Reservoir, features a nature trail. This area
hosts a wide variety of songbirds such as the
yellow warbler, lazuli bunting, white crowned
sparrow, and northern oriole. It also hosts
many shorebirds and waterfowl species as well
as birds of prey such as bald eagles and red-tailed
hawks.
The
Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area
is a wetland system with sweeping scenic views
and many species of shore, wading and migratory
birds and interpretive panels at key viewing sites.
The
Great Salt Lake
Antelope
Island State Park, between Ogden and Salt
Lake City on the Great Salt Lake is home to several
species of big game. Most notable is the American
bison herd descended from bison laced on the
island over a century ago. Shore birds, wading
birds and waterfowl are common sites on the island
year-round.
The
Great Salt Lake shore west of Salt Lake City
offers viewing of white-faced ibis, gulls,
terns, phaloropes, white pelicans, and American
avocets during the spring and summer months,
with many waterfowl during the fall migration.
The
Golden Spike Empire Travel Region (801-627-8288)
can provide more information on this area.
The
Wasatch Mountains
Cascade
Springs, east of the Provo Valley, offers
wildlife viewing from a trail system constructed
over mountain springs which discharge over seven
million gallons of water daily. Brook trout
can be seen darting from the cover of aquatic
vegetation in the crystal clear pools. In the
surrounding habitats songbirds fill the air each
spring.
The
Strawberry Valley offers as much wildlife
diversity as any place in the state. Spawning
cutthroat trout and kokono salmon, nesting
sandhill cranes, soaring raptors, rafts of white
pelicans and double crested cormorants...to
name a few.
The
Mountainland Travel Region (801-229-3800) can
provide more information on this area.
Click
on one of the vicinities below to view
wildlife information for that area.
