10 Ways to Play in Ogden Valley Summers

Know before you go! The area’s attractions and events might be altered due to Covid-19. Please plan accordingly.

Blues Brews & BBQ at Snowbasin

Sunday’s at Snowbasin are anything but sleepy. June through late September, the resort normally features free music from local, regional, and national touring artists. They take the mountain stage providing a festival vibe. The event is open to the public; bring a blanket or lawn chair and a healthy appetite for BBQ and ice-cold beer.

Concerts kick-off weekly at noon beginning with a local artist followed by a regional touring act and a headlining national artist closes the show ending around 5:30 pm. Visit snowbasin.com for the full concert schedule, if and when they decide to host this event. Arrive early and enjoy Mountaintop Brunch served Sundays at Needles Lodge from 10:00 am – 2:30 pm. The menu changes weekly allowing chefs to utilize fresh local ingredients. Season Pass holders receive a discounted rate.

 

Standup Paddleboarding

Combining exercise and fun with a gentle learning curve has propelled paddle boarding into a great way to play on the water. Beginners will find the challenge of paddling while balanced on an elongated surfboard with a hull built for flat water totally manageable after only a few minutes of practice.

Both Pineview and Causey Reservoir welcome paddleboarders. Windsurfer Beach on Pineview is a popular spot because it has the closest lake access to Ogden Canyon, a large parking lot, and enters into a wakeless section of the lake with a modest beach for spectators and sun soakers. Passing motorboats create waves beyond the wakeless buoys that break close to shore adding a challenge for newbies or an added water feature for the more advanced. Guests at Lakeside and Edgewater Resort both enjoy walking access to the lake.

Causey Reservoir boasts towering cliffs, ice-cold runoff, and calm water (no motorboats allowed). A serene paddle on Causey offers views of 100-foot cliffs, unique coves to explore, and deep-water fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. The put-in near the north end by the Boy Scout camp is best accessed in spring before the summer heat and water release drain the water level. State law requires paddleboarders to include life jackets on the vessel or person at all times. Rent a paddleboard and life jacket from Mountain Luxury Lodging when you stay with us!

 

Resort Mountain Biking

Snowbasin features 26 miles of mountain bike trails joining adjacent Forest Service trails for nearly 50 miles of access. Trails are open to the public 7 days a week with the weekend gondola service beginning in mid-June. The Mt. Ogden Midweek Race Series at Snowbasin starts in June and continues through August, so keep your eye out for the trail map and sign updates!

Powder Mountain, known for having the most skiable acreage in the United States, has constructed some of the best summertime bike trails in Utah. Brim Trail features a 6.7 mile loop that takes riders through oodles of wildflowers, cool air, and an easy 3% grade. This awesome ride sits at a 9,000 ft. altitude where temperatures are an average of 10 degrees cooler than the rest of the Valley, perfect for summer riding.

Read more about Powder Mountain and Snowbasin’s trail networks here.

 

Hiking & Running Trails

Trails are abundant in Ogden Valley. From the beginner-friendly 3.2 mile Pineview Trail on the north arm of Pineview Reservoir to steep approaches on the Skyline Trail which tops out at Ben Lomond, hikers and trail runners will find something for every level of trail enthusiast.

While mornings are cool throughout the summer months, exposed ridgelines gradually heat up and water is definitely needed by 11 am. Keep your eye out for Great Basin Rattlesnakes that tend to blend into trail rocks and dirt. Though poisonous, these rattlesnakes are the puppy dogs of rattlesnakes and are rarely aggressive and most bites are caused by the snake being spooked. Please use caution when maneuvering around rattlesnakes and do not harm them.

 

Fly Fishing

The South Fork of the Ogden River offers the best fly-fishing in Ogden Valley with prolific caddis fly hatches and standard caddis patterns. Local beta from Mountain Luxury’s resident fisherman, London Pope, includes the use of hair ear nymphs, and blood-red San Juan worms. Pope suggests avoiding a crowd on the weekend and instead fish the Middle Fork of the Ogden where the fish are smaller but are far less fished.

Weekday fishing is best accessed through the campgrounds and pull-offs. Be respectful of private property and use designated public access points to the river. Visit the division of wildlife website for “walk-in access” areas.

 

Golf

Wolf Creek is a scenic 18-hole mountain course overlooking picturesque Pineview Reservoir and is one of only two golf courses that used recycled water in Utah. Named as one of the top 5 courses in Utah, Wolf Creek retains it’s quiet and undiscovered vibe because of its location. The gorgeous greens, unique setting, and multi-level course provide a perfect place to relax and swing some clubs.

 

Socialize

The Shooting Star Saloon in Huntsville is the oldest continuously operating saloon west of the Mississippi and even stayed open during prohibition. Shooting Star manager, Val, told us that the husband and wife owners of the Saloon would take turns getting arrested during prohibition, so the other could keep the bar open. It’s also rumored the husband was such a pest in jail, authorities would often let him out early on ‘bad’ behavior.

An enormous taxidermy St. Bernard head named Buck greets bar-goers under thousands of dollar bills pinned to the aged ceiling. Order the famous Star Burger made from two ground beef patties, a grilled knackwurst Polish sausage, and cheese. Be sure to bring quarters as the antique jukebox still plays 45-rpm records.

This cash-only bar has stood the test of time and rates well amongst users on Yelp and Trip Advisor. No Internet review however can replicate the historic experience of visiting this one-of-a-kind destination.

 

Boating

Spending time on the water at Pineview creates memories that last a lifetime. Three boat ramps surround the lake for easy access.

Port Ramp Marina
Boat slips are located on the west side of the lake and the boat ramp is the closest boat access to Ogden Canyon. Slips can be rented seasonally from mid-May through the end of September. Arrive early on weekends as the reservoir has a limited number of allowed boats and is monitored at each boat ramp. The Port Ramp Marina is a four-lane concrete ramp and includes a dry storage lot. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the on-site concessionaire.

Anderson Cove Campground Boat Ramp
Those who enjoy camping will prefer the Anderson Cove Boat Ramp residing adjacent to a shoreline campground on the south side of the lake. Make your reservations early as this popular campground fills quickly during the summer months. Individual sites and two group sites can be reserved. Camping includes day-use beach access.

Stay on the lake in luxury at Lakeside Resort Properties or the Escapes at Edgewater. Neighboring Anderson Cove, these furnished condos and townhomes with panoramic mountain and lake views feature private hot tubs, full kitchens, and access to the community swimming pool. Boaters can reserve parking with their stay at Lakeside and launch at Anderson Cove Boat Ramp.

Cemetery Point Marina
Located in the historic town of Huntsville on the east side of the lake, Cemetery Point Marina borders the popular beach and swimming area. The marina is the first left after the fee station. There is a $13.00 Days Use fee for Cemetery Point and a $13.00 fee for the Cemetery Point Marina.

 

Horseback Riding

Guided horse rides through tall pines, aspens, and alpine meadows in the foothills of Monte Cristo, are offered through Red Cliff Ranch from 1-hour rides to overnight adventures and pack trips, horseback adventures are endless.

Unguided horseback riding options include the Middle Fork Wildlife Management Area used mainly by equestrians and less so by day hikers and mountain bikers. Cutler Basin from North Fork Park provides 5 miles of trail through pines on the backside of Ben Lomond and travels closely through moose habitat.

 

Wildlife Viewing

Stubborn moose stand their ground near North Fork, South Fork, and Snowbasin areas. Keep your distance from these large, majestic, and unpredictable oversized species of deer while viewing or photographing. While mostly docile, cows will turn aggressive if they feel their calves are threatened.

Hikers and mountain bikers often spot mountain goats on rocky precipices below Willard and Ben Lomond peaks. Goats prefer distance from backcountry travelers, so remember binoculars when traversing the North Skyline Trail. Wild turkey, fox, coyote, and deer also inhabit Ogden Valley. Although rare, mountain lions and the occasional black bear are spotted in the surrounding mountainsides. Wildlife is plentiful in the Wasatch Mountain Range. Increase your odds of viewing animals by exploring often during dusk and dawn.

After vacationing in Huntsville or Eden, find your dream valley home with Ogden Valley Real Estate. There’s no such thing as a bad day in the mountains, let us be your guide.