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Trying to find the perfect place for your family portraits can be difficult. And depending on how big your family is or if you need special accommodations some locations here in Cache Valley just aren't suited for your family, and that's okay!
Here are a few stunning areas that families use for photos all the time in Logan, UT.
So where can you go? Well, it may surprise you that there are many different places here in Logan that work amazingly for family photos while also being very accessible!
The first location you need to see for your family photo's here in Cache Valley is Denzil Stewart Nature Park. This park is a smaller walking park that has walkways bringing you from the parking lot to the larger bridge. No stairs to climb, there is a slight hill you walk on but; it is still accessible on the paved pathway. See my recent post about Denzil Stewart Nature Park. This location does NOT have bathrooms.
Next up is Merlin Ol'sen Park. WARNING! If you have young kids whom you know for a fact will NOT want anything to do with family photos when a playset is nearby-- this is NOT the best place for you. The grass here is always cleanly cut with a wide open space great for larger families. Merlin Olsen is right next to an overpass which the city used to build a large stone wall covered in greenery, complementing the clean look this park has. There is a little bridge that sits over the Little Logan River flowing straight through the park and under the stone highway. This is one of the closer places in Cache Valley for Family photo's which is great if you have a jam packed day!
Let's look at Mack Park - Technically this park isn't in Logan but; nestled back in Smithfield-- Mack Park makes another easy-to-access location for family photos! There are a few playsets here as well-- keep that in mind if you have little ones. Mack Park has large pine trees and a big wooden bridge great for family photos. This park is back in a neighborhood so if you have a larger family you will most likely see the houses and such in the background of your photo. But it all depends on where you take the big group shots.
If you want a more nature-filled family photo, you can check out either First Dam or Second Dam.
First Dam (Canyon Entrance Park) is right at the mouth of Logan Canyon-- off to the right. Here, you will be greeted by a few geese and fisherman enjoying dipping their toes in the cold Canyon waters, well-maintained grass area, a few docks, and pine trees. First Dam is a beautiful place for fall family photos without having to go too far up in the mountains or snow-filled Christmas photos during the winter months.
The Second Dam-- located further up Logan Canyon, is what I consider to be a hidden gem. Just driving by-- you can see a little pull-off area along the side of the road and the huge, Hydro-plant that operates the Dams. However, if you are to stop at the pull-off you will find wooden stairs that take you down to the boardwalk that sits along the claiming water. If you walk further down you can find the economized maroon bridges that Second Dam seems to be known for! This Location is bigger than the others-- which makes for a bit of a walk for anyone needing easier access that may end up on the wrong side of the dam. The Second Dam has a paved walkway that connects the boardwalk and bridges but can get a little crowded during the busier times of the year. For more check out my blog post Second Dam.
Dewitt Picnic Area - If you keep driving in to Logan Canyon you will find a nice picnic area that sits right below the wind cave. If you follow the trail it will actually take you up to the caves which offer great views of the mountains. However you can still get dome beautiful views at the Dewitt Picnic area of the mountain peaks and cliff sides. One thing to note is that this area will have snakes once it starts to warm up and depending on how much snow the mountains have from winter the river levels will be up in to the sitting area and fast past. The trail that leads out of the parking lot will stay above the river so you wont have to worry about the water levels on the higher parts. Â No cell reception after 2nd Dam exist till Garden City.
Mantua Poppies - This area is ONLY in bloom for two weeks out of the whole year. That being so, it can get packed during the blooming season so please be mindful of others and do not step on the poppies. These poppies have been returning less and less each year as people have picked and trampled the poppies making the field smaller and not as full. If you are visiting the mantua Poppy field, you need to be mindful of the parking rules and do not disturb the campgrounds. The has been rumors of mowing down the poppies or charging a fee to visit in attempt to cut down on overcrowding. The only way to keep this beautiful wild poppy field is to respect them as well as the rules and regulations of the campground. There are NOT bathrooms here. DISCLAMER: As of 2024 the city of Mantua has mowed down the poppy field due to the lack of parking enforcement as well as the inability to follow rules by visitors who come for the poppies. We do not as of right now know if the poppies will return in the following years or if the city will remain to mow them down. These poppies have been growing in Mantua for the past 150 years and it is very sad to see this happen.
Benson Marina - There are tons of places to go in Cache Valley to find mountain views but after a while they all start to look the same. If you're looking for something a bit different then maybe a drive out to Tremonton is what you are looking for? The Benson Marina has an open trailhead along west side of the lake where there is a small parking lot and a large open space full of tall grass. You can get down close to the water or follow the trailhead. You will be able to see the Wasatch Mountains in the far background which I think gives a larger picture of just how big the mountain range really is. during sunset you will be able to catch the pinks and blues reflecting off the water, sometimes depending on the sky you will even see those colors hitting the snow-covered mountain peaks. There are NOT bathrooms here
Rendezvous River Walk- Now this little park is kind of tucked away right off of highway 89. From looking on Google map it looks like a small dog park surrounded by trees. However, there is a beautiful walkway that leads out to a wooden bridge that goes over the Logan River. There are some pockets along the walkway that allow you to get down to the water which is pretty nice! I have been to this park during the morning, and I really enjoyed the way the sunlight hits the open bridge at this time. Plus, there wasn't many people out walking their dogs, so it made shooting here peaceful during the session.
Willow Flats - This location is full of beautiful places. This is actually up in Preston, but it is still a wonderful place for family photos. You will not be able to access this location once the first now hits the ground due to the high elevation. During the summer months this is a busy camping area, and it is pruned to raining in April-Spring as well as late July and August. There are a ton of springs and mountain views bursting with lust greenery but just like Logan Canyon you will not have any cell connection once you get into the mouth. Key tip here is to drive up and scout some prime spots and drop pins on your google or apple maps. some area's will have large brush making it hard to find some of your prior spots due to overgrowth.
Lastly, we have Green Canyon- This location has a few places that are great for photos. There is a decent sized parking lot at King's Nature Park at the beginning of Green Canyon. At this parking lot you can take photos around the small pond and bridge as well as the wooden fences around the park. If you want more of the mountain hills, then you need to go back down the road till you reach the dirt trail that leads up your lefthand side up to the smaller power station on the hillside. There is a small parking area there, do not park by the power station! From there you can go up to follow the trails that go all along and up the hillside. The last place many photographers like to take their clients for those pretty May flowers is the dirt road right next to the larger power station across from the residential area. Again, you cannot park in the dirt lot of the power station, but you can park on the side of the rode. This area looks beautiful during golden hour and if filled full of wildflowers!
Old Main Hill (USU Campus) - If you have ever driven by Utah State University then you have seen that iconic A sitting tall upon the historic USU building, home to the Aggies! This campus is absolutely beautiful with its old architecture. there are a few different places here where you can take some amazing photos with your family. Old Main hill which is the large grassy hill out front of the main USU building has tons of trees which give great shade during the hotter time of year. You will have a lovely view of the USU building in the background if you shoot closer down to the parking lot. However, I love to actually go up to the quad for family sessions. If you schedule during golden hour (sunrise/ sunset) you can get that soft glow hitting the old buildings.
Thank you for reading! I am looking forward to adding more locations as the years go on! I already have a few more to add once I get some example shots! If you are looking for a family photographer to help you capture some amazing art, I would love to setup a phone call! To get in touch click on the CONTACT link!