Logan Canyon is a canyon in the western United States in northeastern Utah , which cuts its way through the Bear River Mountains , a branch of the Wasatch Range . It is popular for both summer and winter activities, especially rock-climbing , hiking , camping , fishing , snowmobiling , and skiing , at the Beaver Mountain ski resort. The canyon rises to an elevation of approximately 7,800 feet (2,400 m) above sea level , after a vertical climb of about 2,900 feet (880 m). Just beyond the summit is a steep road leading into Bear Lake Valley and scenic overlooks that provide views of deep blue Bear Lake . The western terminus is at Logan in Cache County and the eastern terminus is at Garden City in Rich County .
15-541: U.S. Route 89 through the canyon has been designated a National Scenic Byway and connects the Cache and Bear Lake valleys. Recent construction and proposed enhancements to the highway have been the focus of a decades-long confrontation between environmentalists and the Utah Department of Transportation . Some of the improvements have included reconstructing the bridges, which were in poor shape, straightening
30-512: A 6-year period from 1998 to 2003. Because Congress could not agree on funding levels, the Act, which had continued past 2003 by means of temporary extensions, was allowed to lapse. The bill was introduced in the House by Bud Shuster ( R – PA ) on September 4, 1997. The transportation equity act requires that seven planning factors be included in regional transportation plans. The plans must: Factor 4
45-432: A National Scenic Byway a road must have one of six intrinsic qualities. To be designated an All-American Road, a road must have at least two of the six qualities. A corridor management plan must also be developed, with community involvement, and the plan "should provide for the conservation and enhancement of the byway's intrinsic qualities as well as the promotion of tourism and economic development". The plan includes, but
60-595: Is located near the Bear Lake Overlook, at the eastern end of Logan Canyon. 41°46′48″N 111°38′38″W / 41.780°N 111.644°W / 41.780; -111.644 National Scenic Byway A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic. The program
75-687: Is not limited to: Corridor management plans for All-American Roads must also include: The final step is when the highway (or highways) is approved for designation by the United States Secretary of Transportation . Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century The United States federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century ( TEA-21 ) is a federal transportation bill enacted June 9, 1998, as Pub. L. 105–178 (text) (PDF) and 112 Stat. 107 . TEA-21 authorized federal surface transportation programs for highways , highway safety , and transit for
90-556: Is the Allen and Alice Stokes Nature Center, a local nonprofit and free nature center, and official educational permittee of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest . They offer workshops, hikes, and classes which vary by season. Among the most popular hiking trails is the treacherous Crimson Trail . It begins at Spring Hollow Campground and ends at Guinivah Campground and is noted for its views, including
105-784: The 'China Wall' formation. Another popular trail is the Wind Cave trail, which leads to the Wind Caves, a formation of 3 arches in the weathered limestone bedrock, and from which there are views of the China Wall. Tony Grove Lake is situated on the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway. A seven-mile paved road climbs to a height of 8050 feet (2454 m) to reach Tony Grove Lake and the Mount Naomi Wilderness area. The area around
120-589: The United States and are unique and important enough to be tourist destinations unto themselves. As of January 21, 2021, there are 184 National Scenic Byways located in 48 states (all except Hawaii and Texas ). The NSBP was established under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, which provided $ 74.3 million in discretionary grants. On May 18, 1995, FHWA specified
135-431: The designation on January 19, 2021, of 34 new roads as National Scenic Byways, in addition to 15 new All-American Roads. National Scenic Byways go through a nomination procedure. They must already be designated state scenic byways to be nominated (However, roads that meet all criteria for national designation but not state designation may be considered for national designation on a case-by-case basis). For designation as
150-519: The intrinsic qualities that would serve as criteria for designating road as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads. In September U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Peña announced the first 14 National Scenic Byways and six All-American Roads. On June 9, 1998, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) provided $ 148 million to states so they could develop state roads to take advantage of
165-552: The lake hosts a day-use picnic area and a campground managed by the United States Forest Service. The Logan River runs south to southwest through most of the canyon into Cache Valley and is popular for fishing . The river is dammed in three locations near the western mouth of the canyon. The Beaver Mountain ski area is located just a mile off the highway, a few miles past the midway point from Logan to Bear Lake. The Garden City Summit weather station
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#1732772775575180-490: The program. On August 10, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which provided $ 175 million to states and Indian tribes. On October 16, 2009, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood designated 37 new roads as National Scenic Byways and five new All-American Roads. The U.S. Department of Transportation approved
195-470: The road leading to Bear Lake , and reconstructing the Bear Lake Overlook, making it much larger and more attractive and adding basic facilities. The highway is the site of many serious and even fatal traffic accidents given the winding nature of the canyon, the drastic elevation changes, and the poor driving conditions encountered during winter weather. At the mouth of Logan Canyon along the River Trail
210-487: Was amended by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005 and reads: "protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns". Section 1211(d) prevents the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) from requiring state departments of transportation to use
225-533: Was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often less-traveled roads and promote tourism and economic development. The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Some scenic byways are designated All-American Roads , which must meet two out of the six intrinsic qualities. The designation means they have features that do not exist elsewhere in
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