Wind Caves Trail, Logan Canyon
Wind Caves Trail
Of all the gorgeous canyons in Utah, Logan Canyon is one of my all time favorites. There’s so many beautiful views, the river is a great spot for fishing and camping and the hiking is spectacular. One of the most popular hikes in the canyon is the Wind Caves trail. 
Directions
Wind Caves Trail
Trail: 1.8 Miles, 3.6 round trip.
Elevation gain: 1,000 feet
GPS Coordinates: 42.231659281533. -111.5598479379
There are two locations to start. Logan, Utah, or Bear Lake, UT. I’ve posted directions for both. Phone signal in the canyon can be unreliable so take a screen shot of the one that works best for you.
Starting In Logan, UT
I like to start my trip at Angies restaurant. Their Navajo taco is amazing, and to fight off the summer heat they have a delicious Salted Caramel Oreo Cheesecake shake that is to die for. Mine’s usually gone well before I get to the canyon. On the corner of Main Street and 400 North turn east, towards Utah State University. 400 North is also Highway 89. Continue on this into Logan Canyon. You’ll pass the rangers stations and First Dam Park, both will be on your right. Be warned, the geese at First dam will chase you.
Logan Canyon is tight and winding, with a lot of blind corners and thick trees, so watch the roads. You’ll pass Stokes Nature Center and Second Dam as well. When you start to see signs for Spring Hollow, Crimson Trail, and the Dewitt picnic area get ready the parking spot will be on your left. Malibu Campground will be on the right, start to slow down here and you’ll see the parking spot for Wind Caves just after the road curves to the right. The forest service information display looks like this. Park here.
Directions From Logan
Take a screen shot of this encase you lose service in the canyon.
Google Map Link from Logan, UT to Wind Caves Trail Head.
Starting In Bear Lake, UT
If you’re staying in Bear Lake I’d start your journey at LaBeau’s Drive Inn and pick up one of their famous raspberry shake. Then turn right, or west onto W Logan Rd, which is also UT Highway 89. Drive through the beautiful Logan Canyon for about 30 miles, which should take roughly 40 minutes. You’ll pass the Bear Lake overlook, which will be on the left and I highly recommend a stop here. It’s an amazing view. Also, along the route is Beaver Mountain Ski area and several camp grounds.
Parking
When you start to see signs for Valhalla Summer Homes and Beirdneau Campgrounds get ready, the trail head parking area is coming up.
The road curves sharply right and then gently left where there will be the Malibu Campgrounds on your left, Wind Caves parking will be here, on your right. The forest service trail information display looks like this.
Directions From Bear Lake
Take a screen shot of this, in the event you lose service.
Google Map link for directions to Wind Cave Trail from Bear Lake, Garden City, UT
Camping
Utah has amazing access to public land, if you don’t want to stay in Logan, or in Bear Lake we have a lot of BLM land which is free for campers. If you’d like to camp in the area without paying for permits or camp ground fees check out 7 Tips For Free Camping.
Trail
It’s a fairly steep trail, gaining 1,000 feet in elevation up the side of the canyon. It’s a switchback so the trail will twist and turn up the mountain. The views are breathtaking, and it’s a popular trail. Step aside to allow those coming down the mountain a chance to get passed. They’ll have a harder time slowing down their momentum. It’s polite and it gives me the opportunity to catch my breath without looking as if I’m as out of shape as I feel.
Prairie Dogs
There were prairies dogs along the way, this little scout was barking. I knew it wasn’t because of us, they’re very used to people.
Scout’s warn the family there are predators around. If you hear one barking and all the other prairie dogs disappeared look up. There were a pair of red tailed hawks circling above while I was there. Their calls were amazing. I had the hardest time catching them with my camera though. They were flying down through the canyon and weaving in and out of the trees.
Fauna
Forest flowers were everywhere along the trail, bright purples, gorgeous reds. My favorite were the dandelions the size of a softball.
Summit
If you stay along the main trail you’ll come up above the caves and find the hole in the top. There’s a bridge that will lead to a rocky way down and you can go into the caves and circle back around. It’s a unique spot that I wish I had known was here when I lived in Logan but I’m glad I finally got a second chance to hike it. It was still to warm for me to see any deer or large game but depending on the season there are elk, moose, and bear in the region so be on the lookout.
Bring plenty of water, Northern Utah is considered high desert, meaning it’s a dry climate even though it appears very green. Dehydration is a serious danger and the crisp mountain air can be draining and deplete you of electrolytes without you even noticing. With any luck, your hike will be as enjoyable as mine was.
For more pictures from my adventures check out Dashboard.Destinations on Instagram.
For more destinations in the Logan area check out my article about the Bear Lake Ice Cave.
As per usual, I took way more pictures than I could possibly post on here so if you’d like to see more I have several accounts that I’ve posted more images on.
P interest
TripAdvisor
AllTrails
Facebook
MeWe
Happy Travels
See you out there. I’d love to hear your stories and see the pictures.
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30 Comments
DarmiMaddie
Quite an interest I have in what you have shared here. I love trail running and hiking ng and seeing this that has been shared here, I cannot help.but feel.good about this. I just like everything about this here and I really fancy it all. Thanks so much for sharing here with us all. Really a worthy piece to have come across here. Thanks and thumbs up to you
NJKuhr
I’m glad you enjoyed it. This was one location a lot of people, even the locals don’t know about. I love sharing interesting locations with fellow hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Clark
What happens when the geese at First dam caught up to you? Will they hurt you with their beaks? Actually, and I read this in a storybook by Enid Blyton, if you say “Boo!” to a goose it will be scared and go away. Not sure how true that is…
I would love to spend a few days out here, away from my smartphone, tablet, and people. Just breathe in the fresh air, meditate outdoors, watch animals (not geese, though) scampering by. Would be paradise on Earth.
NJKuhr
No, don’t yell boo. Lol they will defend themselves and peck at you. I ran, screaming and jumped into the bed of the truck to get away from them. But charging them, or startling geese is about the worst thing you could do. Ha ha, it’s funny thinking about it now but at the time I was not amused. There’s some great cabins and rentals out here that will do just that, Cache valley and Cache National forest is so beautiful any time of year. I spent a week up there after a snow storm just writing and reading, completely cut off from everything else. It was wonderful.
Garin
I went to school in Logan many years ago and I wish I would have known about this trail back then. Winter is brutal in Logan, so obviously this is a summer or early autumn hike. Your directions and recommendations are excellent, and Angie’s and LeBeau’s Drive Inn shouldn’t be missed. What a gorgeous trail, thanks for your pics and the trial deets.
NJKuhr
Same here. While I was at USU I didn’t know about this either. It took me 12 years to get back and hike this. It makes me wonder what all I’ve missed out on over the years, and one of the reasons I started writing Dashboard Destinations so others can learn about these places before it’s too late.
Lisa
This looks like an amazing place to go hiking the views are awesome, i bet your beautiful pictures don’t do it justice. Angies for the Salted Caramel Oreo Cheesecake shake is a must if you are there in the summer time. Bear lake looks absolutely stunning, it makes me want to take a dip before setting off. i would love to camp here.
NJKuhr
I love that shake, it’s my favorite. Bear lake is too. It’s the best lake town, everything you could want for a weekend getaway without the crowds. Camping spots are everywhere. It’s a lot of fun.
Michael
Thoroughly enjoyed your article on wind caves trail. It seems that no matter where in the world you go the best spots are at the end of trail. The country in your photos looks almost tropical it is so green, nothing desert like about it in your shots. Looking forward to more of your dashboard adventures.
Thank you.
NJKuhr
That’s why it’s so tricky, it looks green but is still considered a desert. This area has more green because of the altitude, these high rocky mountains get a lot of snow in the winter. Most of the lakes in the state are reservoirs, to retain that water because it’s so dry in the summer months.
Aluko kolawole
Hi,
From my online research coupled with your article Wind Cave Trail is a 6.4 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Logan, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options, trip to wind caves train logan canyon will be amazing because of the beautiful places mentioned in your article.
Thanks for sharing.
Aluko.
NJKuhr
I ran into a few people but I had it to myself for the most part, though if you want to avoid crowds I’d suggest going on a weekday.
Ann
That is very thoughtful of you to remind us of taking a screenshot of the forest service information. I have had uncomfortable experiences in the past while not having that information handy. And I seem to have not learned my lesson because if it wasn’t for your reminder, I woundn’t have considered it.
NJKuhr
Same here, I’ve read about a place and started traveling only to get there and not remember the important things I needed to get where I really wanted to be. I started taking screen shots of everything and thought to incorporate that into my writing to help others to repeat the mistakes I made.
Tosin
Hello jean! Thanks for this amazing piece. I have always been enthusiastic about traveling since like forever. They way you wrote about you travel experience in logan canyon made me feel like i was there with you, the progressive details about each locations and also the amazing photos, the phot quality was top notch. I have been compiling my travel destinations for 2021 and i just added this to my wish list too. I would definitely drop a follow up comment after i visit this amazing location. Thanks again jean.
NJKuhr
Please do, and share your pictures. thanks for the compliment, I try to make pictures give the impression you’re there and motivate my readers to get out and explore.
luisalicea480
Very Interesting place. At 1,000 ft. over sea level, with a cave of 1.8 miles long (3.6 mi. if walk round trip). This makes come to my mind: How much time does it take to walk on round trip? Of course I’m clear that this varies by person, how fast is their pace, but at least and average time to complete the walk
The topic shows how is United States with National Parks. From Acadia to Zion, is a vast of National Parks to visit on this large country.
NJKuhr
There are so many national parks in the US, and that doesn’t cover state parks, national monuments, national conservatory, and forest lands. You’ll have to research what kind of excursions and activities you want to experience before you pick one.
Nuttanee
Logan Canyon is breathtakingly beautiful! I definitely have to visit with my husband. He would love the location so much and he will get to fish as much as he wanted while I get to go hiking and enjoy the trail. Bear Lake is so beautiful and crystal clear. Thanks for sharing your itinerary with us.
NJKuhr
It’s one of my all time favorite getaways.
Nelson
This is quite a green trail. The vegetations surrounding this trail make this trial look so amazing. Another fantastic fact about this trial that caught my attention, is the Bear Lake. One can get to sit by Lake while taking a test after much hiking. It’s just so wonder and beautiful. Thanks for this lovely write up on the Wind Caves Trail.
NJKuhr
Thank you. Its a favorite weekend gettaway of mine.
Christine
Wow, the pictures are beautiful! I can imagine that you’ll have incredible views when you’re hiking on those trails. I love the photo of the caves (Are those the Wind Caves?) and would love to see that one day. The views are really amazing, those hills, the pine trees, and the prairie dogs, I hope I get to see them when I go there.
Do you pass First Dam Park on foot or by car? I’m just wondering because you mentioned that geese might be chasing you.
NJKuhr
the pictures are of the wind caves. The directions are based on travel by car but if you have the time there are trails and picnic spots at each dam that are beautiful.
Andy
Hi and thanks for this. It sounds like a hike that would comfortably fill a good half of a day. I particularly appreciate the recommendations for the shakes I live on the East Coast and I’ve had a few trips out West mostly profiting from business trips to Las Vegas. I tended to stay mostly in Nevada and Arizona but on one extended stay, I made a road trip around the Grand Canyon and up into Utah driving through the Zion National Park. I was wondering, would this road trip be doable as a day excursion from Boise? Thanks, Andy
NJKuhr
From Boise yes, it’s a bit of a drive though but it’s doable. Maybe 5 hours each way. I live in Vernal Utah so driving distance is about the same and I did it in a day.
Charity
Hello there, thank you so much for sharing this. this is a very awesome piece and a very detailed one. I’m really happy I came across this. Reading about this article wind caves trail Logan canyon sounds really exciting. The reviews given were actually awesome. I enjoyed reading every bit of it. Logan canyon is a nice place to visit for vacation
NJKuhr
It’s amazing. Logan canyon and bear lake is one of my favorite summer weekend spots. The lake is crystal clear and so beautiful. It reminds me of Lake Tahoe but without the crowds.
Jerry McCoy
It looks very picturesque. I would imagine that the view is more spectacular than your photos which are great. How many visitors do they have a year on the trail? Are there places where you can buy water for the hike?
How often do you see some of the larger game animals that are in the area? Do people have very many problems with the wildlife? Is there a problem with snakes?
Are there any Bureau of Land Management campsites in the area? Do they encourage camping in the area?
Jerry
NJKuhr
great questions. There isn’t a place to get water on the hike, I’d suggest you stock up in either Logan, Utah or Bear Lake depending on where you depart from. There are deer, elk, moose, and bear in the area but they rarely bother hikers and tend to stay in the high country. There are also rattlesnakes known but usually not that far north in the mountain ranges, they are usually seen further south but there’s always a chance. The BLM does have a lot of land in this are and camping for free is an option, Utah has a lot of public lands. If you’re interested I do have another article on camping on BLM land that has resources to finding places based on the zip code.