Card Canyon West

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

From the parking area by the second gate, the road starts to ascend through a sparsely populated conifer forest. After about a half mile, the road ends at the Cache Valley Archery range (which is only open to members of the archery association, not just anyone who wants to go).

Instead of going to the range, go to the left where the road crosses a small drainage where there is a sign that points to the left saying "Card Canyon East 064" and to the right saying "Card Canyon West." Take the fork to the right and the trail starts to slowly ascend by a dry creek bed. It continues through a varying forest with conifers, scrub oak, and some aspens at times. This can be a really gorgeous part in the fall as the colors are changing.

Eventually, the trail starts to ascend more steeply through some rocky portions, and then it starts to switchback up onto the hillside above the drainage, which allows for some views of the cliff bands on the western side of the canyon, which are impressive. Eventually, the trail starts to level off as it reaches the meadow that sits above the canyon (which can be filled with beautiful wildflowers in the spring) and eventually meets up with a dirt road, and another sign.

In the spring and early summer, this is one of the best places in Cache Valley to see wildflowers. The expansive meadow at the end of the trail is filled with beautiful yellow flowers and interspersed Indian Paintbrush. It's spectacular in the spring.