So far this is my favorite hike. Not too long, not too short, not too hard. Just enough...well, for…read moreme. It located just south of Pineview dam. This is the Wheeler Canyon trail that follows Wheeler Creek. The trail is wide and heavily traveled. Great for hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing and snowshoeing. I did the loop, it took me 2.5 hours and 5.73 miles. That was stopping frequently to take pictures because it's so pretty all over. From the beginning it's gorgeous. You're surrounded by towering, rocky mountains and the sound of the river below. As you get farther on the trail, the leaves are gold, red, and orange. One day we took our toddler to walk up the trail and explore a bit. It was easy and fun for her. Lots of birds, butterflies and caterpillars to check out. That's when I knew I had to come back and take a hike. After Wheeler Canyon there's a fork that takes you to Ice Box Canyon on the right or Art Nord trailhead to the left. I read about this trail and many prefer to go counterclockwise and go through Ice Box first. I also recommend going this route. It's a steady climb, not hard and shaded the entire way until you get to the south slope meadows. Ice Box Canyon was magical. The birds were singing, the sound of the water was hypnotic, and the red leaves blanketed the trail like a celebrity red carpet, minus the paparazzi and a little less narcissism. I had to stop and take pictures every second. I couldn't help it. If you're doing the loop, you'll run into another fork (on the south slope) once you're out of Ice Box Canyon. The sign is missing off the post. Go left. That will take you down through some meadows across a couple of bridges and then uphilll to the Art Nord Drive/trailhead. You will see Snowbasin Road on the right as you approach a trail map kiosk. Keep following the trail. You will descend on a windy trail towards a parking area. Keep going and you'll soon be back in Wheeler Canyon. I think about .65 miles. Take a jacket and plenty of water. When I went it started pouring the last quarter mile and the wind was awful tunneling through that canyon. It about knocked me over. I came out of the canyon only to find out there were 2 freaking tornadoes taht touched down. I'm not sure of the odds of that happening again but just be prepared for the weather. This would be a great hike for a family. Do the loop, go check out Ice Box Canyon, or just go up a little and back. No matter what you choose I think you'll enjoy it!

Causey Reservoir is one of my favorite places to go paddle boarding in Utah! I love this reservoir…read moreso much, it's so beautiful. No motorized boats are allowed on this reservoir, so it's the perfect place to kayak, canoe, paddle board, or just bring a floaty and float around. There's also a bunch of cliff jumping. There's no beach, so the main activity here is being in the water. The water is a beautiful color, the scenery is gorgeous. I just love this place so much! I would definitely recommend getting here early, especially on the weekend, as the parking lot fills up quickly, and the reservoir gets crowded. We got here around 9am and it was the perfect time. By the time we left around 1pm, the parking lot was completely full and there were a ton of people out on the reservoir. Even with the volume of people on the water, it never feels too crowded. There's no overnight camping here, and it's completely free to access this reservoir, which is one of the reasons its so popular. A beautiful place to spend the day!

Kayaking at Causey Reservoir near Huntsville, Utah, was an absolute blast! The crystal-clear waters…read moreare perfect for a peaceful paddle or a day full of adventure. https://youtube.com/shorts/J-ih7Wbg-pY We loved exploring the hidden coves and taking in the stunning mountain scenery. The reservoir offers a little bit of everything--cliff diving, rope swings, and even some fantastic fishing spots. It's an outdoor lover's paradise, and the serenity of the area is unbeatable. Whether you're looking for excitement or just want to relax on the water, Causey Reservoir is the place to be. Can't wait to return!

Great experience here at Antelope Island State Park. My friend and I visited in the late afternoon…read moreafter arriving at the airport around noon, and checking out Golden Spike National Historic Site. The day had been quite rainy, and the timing worked out perfectly as the skies cleared up later in the day. Just a quick heads up! At the time of writing, there is no potable water available on the island. Bring your own and bring plenty of it. Also there is an entry fee to cross the causeway to get onto the "island" which really isn't an island anymore because of low water levels. There is an AM station that provides information updates as you enter - make sure to check in out and stay in the know. Because we hadn't brought much water with, we decided to keep our hiking to a minimum. We were also just off the plane from the east coast, so decided to take it easy with hiking our first day at the elevation. Our first stop was at Ladyfinder Point - we took the short trail out to the point for some views! Then after that, we really wanted to get down to the water so we made our way over to Bridger Bay Beach access. From the parking area to the water is a bit of a hike given that the water levels are so low. We parked near the first bathouse and made our way down through the sand. I had opted for sandals, but the flipflops made navigating the san difficult, so I went barefoot which was a bit uncomfortable because the sand it quite coarse. But, as we got further out the sand is more compacted and the sandals were ok. About halfway out to the water, we noticed a bison in the distance. It was walking south quite a bit away from us, so we continued north to the water and kept a really good distance. Down near the water, be prepared for MANY bird carcasses and the brine flies got pretty thick as you near the water. Just keep going because it is worth it. We stood in the clear waters of the Great Salt Lake and enjoyed the breeze and setting sun. It was well worth it to go all the way down. After a short stay by the water we headed back. It was at this point that we noticed the Bison from earlier had headed in the direction of the trailhead near the showers. We again kept our distance and had no issues, but our concern was growing. We made a bit of a detour to give the bison a wider berth, but at this point he was clearly moving toward the same point we were headed to. Keeping eyes on him and picking up speed we made it back to the shower building and rinsed our feet. Meanwhile, the bison continued to make his way up the beach stopping occasionally and then continuing on. We had retreated a bit behind the concrete walls of the shower building as the bison continued walking toward us. At one point I finally decided that we should probably get to the car. Which we did... After getting in the car and preparing to depart, we turned our head and lo and behold - but who should appear. That bison! He popped up out of the trail and began scratching himself on the shower building walls were we had been standing moments ago. Then he stopped, stared at us and we had a moment of panic that the rental car might get some damage. Luckily, the bison was not in the mood for a confrontation and he lumbered through the parking lot acros the road and up the other side of the hill, scratching his head on some low trees. Honestly, it was a bit of a anxiety-inducing experience yet thrilling at the same time. After our little encounter, we made our way toward Buffalo Point where we hiked up to Altar Rock and back. On the drive up we saw the island's namesake - two young antelope cavorting around the open spaces like two kids without a care in the world. It was entertaining and memorable for sure! The hike to Buffalo Point was a short but rewarding little hike and it was perfect as the sun was starting to set. Not wanting to hike back in the dark, we didn't stay out until true sunset, but we did get some great photos and made our way back. Apparently the park has a Dark Sky designation, and we had toyed with the idea of staying until dark, BUT the skies had grown overcast again, and after a long day of travel we made the decision that we needed to get an In-N-Out burger for dinner and head to the hotel to rest and prepare for our long hike the next day. Antelope Island was a great choice, and I am so glad we experienced even just a small percentage of the island. It was well worth it and I would definitely go back!

- Why didn't anyone forewarn me about the pungency or abundance of carcasses at Bridger Bay Beach…read moreDx - Just as you're starting to drive in to the State Park, you're already hit with a powerful poopy odor. Yuck. - It's a 10-20min walk from parking to the water. Coarse sand. May wanna wear shoes. Little rocks will sneak into your sandals. - The sight of dead birds and millions of flies, dead and alive, throughout the beach and the stench of what I thought was ubiquitous decomposed bison dung but likely was actually the sulfurous odor of detritus (still revolting though) discouraged me from fulfilling the bucket list goal I came here for: to prove the rumor that the human body really is unsinkable in the hypersaline water of the Great Salt Lake. I couldn't bring myself to lie down. Only let the water up to my calves. Ain't no way I'm risking full skin infection within the 1st day of my vacation. Still had 7 days to go. Begrudgingly, I simply took a picture from where I stood, then slowly backed away from the omnipresent death around me. . On my way driving out I asked the lady at the entrance booth about the water quality. She said the sight of those many flies and the dead animals is normal around the super salty water and that it's still safe to float in it. She may be right (as the Internet also agrees), but I couldn't bring myself to go through with it, especially since there weren't many other people there doing the same thing to help me feel reassured. + Glad the showers by the parking lot are fully functional though. + And a hose next to the restrooms next to the showers. . Just gotta bring your own soap. + Sources say pronghorns live on this island. * Fun fact: Pronghorns are the 2nd fastest land animal on Earth, just after the cheetah! - Didn't see any pronghorns or bison during my visit though. Granted, I didn't visit as far deep in as Fielding Garr Ranch. You might have better luck. . $15/car. A bit expensive for me since as you can see, my experience came up short. And as it's a state park, it's not covered by the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass. . Only a few people were at this State Park when I visited early Saturday evening. - VC still under maintenance.

Super fun hike! The switchbacks are the hardest part so once you're past those, might as well hike…read moreall the way to the upper falls. :) it can get icy and slick in the winter so make sure you're wearing shoes with good traction and be careful! The view at the top is worth it!

Adams Canyon is a fantastic hike that starts in the Layton foothills. The hike begins on dusty…read moreswitchbacks, which are unquestionably the worst part of the trail. After climbing the switchbacks, the trail is mostly easygoing. You can enjoy the colorful wildflowers along the trail in the summer months and the changing fall colors in autumn. It's also a fun snowshoeing hike in the winter. Crossing the creek is usually necessary to see the waterfall, so plan on getting your feet wet. The Adams Canyon waterfall stands 40 feet tall and is gorgeous!

Fun hike to a beautiful waterfall in Ogden. It starts out pretty steep and not super pretty, but…read moreonce you get up the steep part and get into the mountains it gets pretty with lots of rocks to climb. When you cross the first bridge it's basically the halfway point so going the rest of the way won't be hard after that. This is a fun hike and I'll go again if I'm in the area. :)

we started this trail early at 7:15 and ended back in the parking lot around 9:30. we did the…read moreWaterfall Canyon loop with the goal of seeing the waterfall. we used all trails but the trail that starts up the mountain to see the waterfall was not mapped on all trails even though we selected that hike on there. the trail starts where you loop to go back to the parking lot so and we almost missed it. it was probably around 3 miles total. go earlier and bring a water bottle for sure as it's a steeper incline as you hike up all the rocks and it will leave you out of breath and sweaty especially as the sun starts to rise higher. the view is so worth it at the top and going down was easy but just be careful of loose rocks.

How has no one reviewed such a great little trail?! Birdsong Trailhead is a part of the Rainbow…read moreTrail - to access, park in the back lot at Rainbow Gardens (quite possibly the most eclectic shop I've ever stepped in) and follow signs. There was literally not another soul on this trail today and being terrified of hiking alone, I was a little skeptical. No need, Nervous Nellie, this easy 1 mile walk is a piece of cake. Would be perfect for kids. Or someone who is trying to avoid work for an hour, let's say. Lots of shade, breezy and no treacherous aspects. Wooded in parts, little streams, flocks of dragonflies. Lizards. Ants. Very well maintained and safe. I went farther than the trail indicated, but not far enough to see if anything really amazing was at the end, before I realized I needed to be in a meeting and high tailed it back to my vehicle. Oops. A few other trails here that looked great too - nice views of the surrounding mountains and valley.

I am visiting from Texas and was thankful for the previous review. This hike was great for kids…read more Partially shaded and a great view. We saw a deer and lots of beautiful foliage. Again great walk for kids.

This was a great hike. I felt it was well maintained. The hike was not difficult yet challenging…read more May be too much for little ones. On the first part of the hike there is a stream which is always enjoyable on a hike. I started out from the parking lot around 9:30 AM and most of the hike was in the shade. There is a beautiful lookout over Ogden near the top.

This hike was fantastic! I hadn't been on a hike in over two years, so it felt extremely…read morerefreshing. Most of the hike is at an upward incline. There are a few steep drop offs that were a little scary to me, but not a problem as long as you're paying attention. Quite a ways down the trail you'll come to a fork in the road. The left side is a continuation of the Coldwater Canyon Trail while the right side turns into the Indian trail. We went up the Indian Trail for a shorts ways until we reached the makeshift teepee. After that, we turned around and headed back.

Hiked this trail in August. Unclear signage. Park in the Spring Hollow Campground parking area near…read morethe road. After you walk to the top of the paved area, you will see a trailhead sign. This great trail rises through a cool forest along a stream with a moderate slope. The rest of the trail is fairly flat and open, at about 7000 feet elevation, and with some noise coming up from the main road. Many grasshoppers on the dry parts of the trail!

Extremely fun Hike! We did the wind cave hike as there are many options in this area. The path is…read morenarrow but is very manageable. Especially with how busy the hike is we did not have any issues with our energetic puppy.

Such a beautiful place! Great hiking, great scenery and easy to get to! Parking was fine but get…read morethere early

Indian Trail is a perfect lil' easy to moderate hike in Ogden. You've got a couple options, either…read morestarting at one end and tracing your steps back to the beginning (8ish miles), or parking a car at the preferred exit and halving your efforts. My dad put together a sister's hiking trip last weekend, and we began at the 22nd street entrance. This is just in a neighborhood, but there is plenty of street parking. If I were to repeat the hike, I would do it just the same, as you conquer the steepest part immediately, and then it is easy going from there. That same section is the only very exposed portion, after which the trail is tree covered, with pines and aspens and other glorious protectors from the sun. That means this is a great option even for mid-day hiking! You also escape the sounds of cars and people quite quickly, and find yourself in gorgeous mountain silence. Aaaaah. The peak rewards with a view out across Ogden over to the Spiral Jetty and Golden Spike Historical Park. A small wooden shack resides there, too: a pleasant spot for rest or a picnic. After we stopped to take in the scenery here, we continued on the trail toward the Coldwater Canyon Trailhead (where we'd left a car to return us home). The remainder of the hike featured many more aspens, still with autumn's golden leaves winking in the breeze, a babbling stream, and two teepees formed of fallen branches. What a fun surprise! Deep dips in the trail felt noticeably cooler. This was in October, but between that and the forest coverage, I imagine this would make a pleasant, not-too-hot summer hike. Our adventure took only 1 1/2 hours at a leisurely to moderate pace. It was very easy, and we only felt a smidge winded at the very beginning steep portion. We met a few other groups, more as we neared lunchtime, and one mountain biker. It is dog friendly with a leash, though we saw some without.

Hey, this visitors center was excellent for introducing patrons to the migration of so many bird…read morespecies making stops in Utah. There's also explanations on the importance of our waterways to rail and engineering industries and of course to humans. Stop in the theater for a short film, take a trek on the boardwalk outside or do the 12 mile auto tour around the preserve in your vehicle. We went during hunting season so not many feather friends around this weekend but we did see a beautiful blue crane. Ill go back in prime migration season.

Awesome place. The VC is large and very informative. We didn't have time for the auto tour (they…read moresaid it would take 2-3 hours...approx 36 miles total) but we walked around the VC outside and heard and saw so many fun birds.