Box Elder County Top of Utah Things to Do
Box Elder County in northern Utah includes some of the state's most intriguing cultural and historic sites, as well as world class bird watching and the small town charm of Brigham City.
* = most recommended sites and activities
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge protects the marshes found at the mouth of the Bear River; these marshes are the largest freshwater component of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. The refuge includes a beautiful visitor center and museum, plus an extensive boardwalk system for birdwatching in the marsh area. Call or visit the website for information on seasonal bird populations.More »
Boat, swim, waterski, and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay. Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky. During winter months, Willard Bay is a wildlife watching area for nesting eagles.More »
Robert Smithson's earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970) is located at Rozel Point peninsula on the northeastern shore of Great Salt Lake. Using over six thousand tons of black basalt rocks and earth from the site, Smithson formed a coil 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide that winds counterclockwise off the shore into the water.
Visitors are advised to bring water, food, and waterproof boots, along with weather appropriate clothing. Spiral Jetty is visible when water levels are below approximately 4,195 feet. To view water levels at the Great Salt Lake click here.More »
Artist Nancy Holt built the Sun Tunnels in 1976. The tunnels are four concrete tubes laid out in an X shape, each drilled with holes to pattern the constellations of Draco, Perseus, Columbia, and Capricorn. The tunnels are best viewed at sunrise and sunset, especially at the summer or winter solstice. They are in a remote area, so be prepared for wilderness conditions if you decide to visit.More »
Alliant Techsystems in Corinne, Utah, has created an outdoor "rocket garden" with a space shuttle booster and a Patriot missile, plus several other rockets. It's a fun place to stop, especially as part of a day-long excursion in combination with visits to the Spiral Jetty and the Golden Spike National Historic Site.More »
Brigham City's Peach Days, which began in 1904, is the oldest continuing civic celebration in Utah. The event honors Box Elder County's peach growing tradition, and includes parades, a carnival, sports events, entertainment and more. It's held each year the weekend after Labor Day.More »
The stretch of Highway 89 between Willard and Brigham City is known as Utah's Fruit Way, dotted with farm stands from May to November. Not just farm-fresh fruit but vegetables, flowers, honey and other goods are on sale - it's worth the drive from SLC just for the quality and (usually) low price of the produce. If your energy gets low, Pettingill's Produce will make an ice cream shake on site from any piece of fruit you pick.More »
Cache and Box Elder Counties are Utah's most productive counties for agriculture, and there are a lot of artisan food makers in the Logan and Brigham City areas. Spend a day learning about, and sampling, the original food products of northern Utah with this food makers tour. Please call ahead to confirm details for all food makers tours.More »
The Brigham City Museum is located at 24 North 300 West in Brigham City. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. The museum houses a series of high quality art exhibitions related to the American West, as well as permanent exhibits related to Brigham City's history.More »
* = most recommended sites and activities
* Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge protects the marshes found at the mouth of the Bear River; these marshes are the largest freshwater component of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem. The refuge includes a beautiful visitor center and museum, plus an extensive boardwalk system for birdwatching in the marsh area. Call or visit the website for information on seasonal bird populations.More »
* Willard Bay State Park
Boat, swim, waterski, and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay. Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky. During winter months, Willard Bay is a wildlife watching area for nesting eagles.More »
* Spiral Jetty
Robert Smithson's earthwork Spiral Jetty (1970) is located at Rozel Point peninsula on the northeastern shore of Great Salt Lake. Using over six thousand tons of black basalt rocks and earth from the site, Smithson formed a coil 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide that winds counterclockwise off the shore into the water.
Visitors are advised to bring water, food, and waterproof boots, along with weather appropriate clothing. Spiral Jetty is visible when water levels are below approximately 4,195 feet. To view water levels at the Great Salt Lake click here.More »
Sun Tunnels
Artist Nancy Holt built the Sun Tunnels in 1976. The tunnels are four concrete tubes laid out in an X shape, each drilled with holes to pattern the constellations of Draco, Perseus, Columbia, and Capricorn. The tunnels are best viewed at sunrise and sunset, especially at the summer or winter solstice. They are in a remote area, so be prepared for wilderness conditions if you decide to visit.More »
* Golden Spike National Historic Site
The Golden Spike National Historic Site at Promontory Summit, Utah, marks the spot where on May 10, 1869, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads completed the first transcontinental railroad line in US history. The site includes a museum, replica locomotives, history talks, and occasional reenactments of the driving of the "Golden Spike" that completed the historic railroad line. Call or visit the website for a schedule of events.More »
ATK Rocket Garden
Alliant Techsystems in Corinne, Utah, has created an outdoor "rocket garden" with a space shuttle booster and a Patriot missile, plus several other rockets. It's a fun place to stop, especially as part of a day-long excursion in combination with visits to the Spiral Jetty and the Golden Spike National Historic Site.More »
Brigham City Peach Days
Brigham City's Peach Days, which began in 1904, is the oldest continuing civic celebration in Utah. The event honors Box Elder County's peach growing tradition, and includes parades, a carnival, sports events, entertainment and more. It's held each year the weekend after Labor Day.More »
* Utah's Famous Fruitway
The stretch of Highway 89 between Willard and Brigham City is known as Utah's Fruit Way, dotted with farm stands from May to November. Not just farm-fresh fruit but vegetables, flowers, honey and other goods are on sale - it's worth the drive from SLC just for the quality and (usually) low price of the produce. If your energy gets low, Pettingill's Produce will make an ice cream shake on site from any piece of fruit you pick.More »
* Food Makers Tour of Northern Utah
Cache and Box Elder Counties are Utah's most productive counties for agriculture, and there are a lot of artisan food makers in the Logan and Brigham City areas. Spend a day learning about, and sampling, the original food products of northern Utah with this food makers tour. Please call ahead to confirm details for all food makers tours.More »
Brigham City Museum
The Brigham City Museum is located at 24 North 300 West in Brigham City. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. The museum houses a series of high quality art exhibitions related to the American West, as well as permanent exhibits related to Brigham City's history.More »