Hiking
in
Box Elder
Big Views, Open Trails, No Crowds
Quick Facts
Role
County Seat
Population
About 20,000
Signature event
Peach Days
To Salt Lake
About 1 hour
To Golden Spike
About 45 min
To Bird Refuge
15 minutes
Where People Hike in Box Elder County
Most hiking here starts on the east side of the county, where the Wasatch Front climbs straight up from Brigham City, Perry and Willard. Box Elder Canyon on US-89/91 is the hub: it leads to Mantua's reservoir trails, the road to Inspiration Point and Willard Peak, and the trailhead for Box Elder Peak in the Wellsville Mountains Wilderness.
West of I-15 the land flattens into wetland and sagebrush. That's where you'll find the boardwalk trails at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and the Big Fill Loop at Golden Spike, where you walk the actual 1869 railroad grade. Pick a ridge or pick a flat walk; either way, Brigham City is 10 to 45 minutes from the trailhead.
Mountain Hikes
Stargaze Over Promontory
Stargaze Over Promontory
Far from city lights, Golden Spike has clear, dark skies. Stargaze from the visitor center parking lot or along the trails, and check the calendar for summer astronomy programs.
Wellsville Mountains Wilderness
Strenuous · About 9 miles round trip · June–October
The Wellsvilles rise straight off the valley floor and are often called some of the steepest mountains in the country. The Rattlesnake Trailhead sits right off US-89/91 at the top of Wellsville Canyon, and it's the standard route to Box Elder Peak (9,372 ft), the range's high point. Plan on roughly 4.5 miles one way and a steady climb, with wildflowers in early summer and views over Cache Valley and the Great Salt Lake from the ridge. It's a designated wilderness, so no bikes or motors. Season runs about June through October.
Willard Peak and Inspiration Point
Strenuous · High-clearance road access · July–October
Ben Lomond via Inspiration Point
Strenuous · Ridge hike · July–October
Already up at Inspiration Point? Keep going. The ridge trail continues south past Willard Peak toward Ben Lomond, the landmark summit you can see from all over the northern Wasatch Front. It’s a long, exposed ridge walk with big views in every direction, so start early and watch the afternoon weather.
Perry Canyon
Moderate to strenuous · 3.7 to 13.7 miles out-and-back · Spring–fall
Willard Canyon
Moderate · Short canyon hike · Spring–fall
Easy Walks & Family Trails
Mantua Reservoir and Eagle Rise
Easy · 4.2-mile flat dike trail · Year-round
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Easy · 0.5 to 1.5 miles · Accessible paths
About 1.5 miles of trails loop out from the Wildlife Education Center, a quarter mile west of I-15 exit 363. Choose the half-mile accessible Wetland Wonders walk, the Bulrush Bridge trail, or the 1.5-mile Marsh Meander, with more than 200 bird species recorded on the refuge. Want more distance? The 12-mile auto tour route can be walked or biked too.
Golden Spike National Historical Park
Easy · 1.5-mile loop · Year-round
The Big Fill Loop is a 1.5-mile walk on the original 1869 grades: out on the Central Pacific line, back on the Union Pacific. You’ll pass hand-blasted rock cuts with drill marks still visible and the abutments of the old Big Trestle. Allow 60 to 90 minutes.
Spiral Jetty
Easy · Short walk · Gravel road access
Before You Go
Getting here
Brigham City is about an hour north of Salt Lake City on I-15. Most east-side trailheads are 10 to 30 minutes from town; Golden Spike is about 32 miles west.