Logan

At the eastern edge of Logan, the neighborhood of Hillcrest brings together old and new within its compact boundaries. Vintage homes line dozens of quiet residential streets, while a historic cemetery and the state’s land-grant college, Utah State University, have served as local landmarks since the late 19th century. Even the local ice cream shop and breakfast restaurant trace their origins back over a century. However, as Utah State climbs in national collegiate rankings and in enrollment, the rest of Hillcrest is experiencing a revival of its own. Brand-new homes are developing where the city meets the desert, and average home values have nearly doubled since 2020. This neighborhood’s location next to a river and the mountains adds to its allure. Realtor Justin Udy with Century 21 Everest says, “It’s got access to a number of outdoor activities; everything from skiing to biking, fishing and hiking. It’s also a smaller community, so you have a lot of local businesses and a very stable economy.” A combination of historic landmarks, scenic nature and newly developed housing shapes Hillcrest’s unique appeal. Hillcrest’s streets follow a grid pattern, with several roads leading towards the edge of the city and offering unobstructed views of the nearby mountains. Ranch-style homes predominate along the main roads, but bungalows and New Traditional residences line hillside streets such as Cedar Heights Drive. These mountain roads are an epicenter of new growth. Ranch-style and modern homes built in the 2020s feature panoramic views of snowcapped mountains and the city of Logan, while also adding variety to Logan’s typical range of house prices. Hillcrest’s listing prices vary from $376,000 to $1.2 million, with single-story homes built from the 1960s to 1970s filling out the lower tier and new, multi-floor construction fetching higher prices. Due to its location along both the Logan River and the Bear River Mountains, Hillcrest offers immediate access to pristine nature. Nature lovers can make their way down to the Ray Hugie Hydro Park to fish or relax on the banks of the Logan River, while the Canyon Entrance Park is a popular venue for picnics and canoeing. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail takes hikers from the riverbank north to Green Canyon Drive, with a trail entrance near Lundstrom Park enabling residents of Hillcrest to access the mountain path from their own neighborhood. Lundstrom Park offers a more laid-back feel, featuring three baseball diamonds, a playground and vast open fields for picnicking and field sports. Hillcrest is also home to the Logan Country Club, which features an 18-hole course and several seasonal events for members and guests. While Hillcrest is home to a large college, it is a primarily residential area, and shopping conveniences are therefore not immediately accessible. The nearest shopping center is 2.3 miles down East 1400 North, and residents can stock their pantries at WinCo Foods and Walmart. Within Hillcrest, a few local restaurants have found loyal customer bases among students and residents alike. Aggie Ice Cream, a student-run creamery founded in 1920, receives rave reviews from visitors of all ages. Similarly historic is Herm’s Inn, which, during the early 20th century, was the famous “first chance” to gas up outside the mouth of the Logan Canyon. This restaurant now brands itself as the “first chance for great food” in the city and is often packed at breakfast time. Young learners begin their education at Hillcrest Elementary School, which Niche gives a B-minus rating. Students go on to attend the C-plus-rated Mount Logan Middle School and the B-rated Logan High School. Logan High, like the rest of its district, scores very high in student diversity, while also being ranked by Niche as one of the top 33 best college prep public high schools in the state. From freshman year on, the school prepares students for college or non-collegiate career paths, including through high-technology Medical Anatomy and Physiology courses. Hillcrest is also home to Utah State University, founded in 1888. This public land-grant research university is famous for its military science program and for its Division I athletics, including the school’s strong “Aggies” football team. Hillcrest’s southern border is formed by Highway 89, which takes travelers south towards Salt Lake City and northeast towards Garden City, the “Caribbean of the Rockies.” Salt Lake City is accessible within an 85-mile and an hour-and-a-half drive, while Garden City is a 38-mile and 50-minute drive away. Logan is also served by Cache Valley Transit, and Hillcrest is home to over a dozen bus stops that connect residents to the rest of the city. The nearest hospital, Logan Regional Hospital, is just 2 miles from the heart of the community.

The neighborhood of Adams is the heart of Logan, Utah in more ways than one. Not only is this community situated within the city’s downtown area, but its boundaries contain the landmarks and conveniences that define the rest of the city. Utah State University sits immediately east of Adams, while, across the way, Main Street offers shopping and dining outlets of all kinds. At the southern end of Adams, the Logan Utah Temple serves as the spiritual center of Cache County. Within the neighborhood, hundreds of vintage and restored homes present a variety of home styles and prices. Realtor Sloane Petersen with The Petersen Group says, "One of the reasons that locals love Logan so much is really because you get that small-town, college vibe with all the conveniences of a major city. It has all the major shops and restaurants, and you're just minutes away from Utah State University, home of the Aggies." This combination of Main Street shopping, college-town vivacity and residential quiet shapes Adams’ unique appeal. Logan’s long history dates back to the settlement of the Logan River in 1859, and this city’s housing stock tells the story of a city whose growth took off from the 1950s onward. While some homes in Adams can trace their origins as far back as the 1880s, the majority were built from the 1950s to 1980s. Home styles vary from vintage bungalows and ranch-style homes to newer single-family homes and Tudor-style residences. Pricing can range as low as $230,000 for a ranch-style home to as much as $800,000 for a five-bedroom Tudor home; most homes tend to sell for between $375,000 and $500,000. Adams takes its name from Adams Park, a small green space located just a block north of US Route 89. This park, in turn, derives its name from Jan Q. Adams, a member of Utah State University’s Board of Trustees whose name is also borne by the elementary school next to the park. Adams Park includes a playground, a volleyball pit, a picnic shelter and walking paths, with trees providing abundant shade. This park is frequented by residents of all ages, from local families and schoolchildren to USU students. Just a few blocks outside of Adams is River Hollow Park, which allows visitors to recline beside the Logan River and take a hike on the riverfront trail. While Logan is a small city without a clear-cut downtown area, Adams partly fulfills that role. Much of Adams may consist of residential streets, but Main Street, at its western end, serves as Logan’s shopping and culinary hub. While the Cache Valley Mall may have recently closed, dozens of big-box stores and restaurants continue to serve thousands of customers. Brand-name cosmetics, home improvement, electronics and auto shops fulfill residents’ daily needs, while small businesses like My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe bring out local creativity. Shoppers can pick up their groceries at one of two Smith’s supermarkets in the neighborhood, while foodies can stop by Ruby’s Pizzeria & Grill for Italian and bar fare, try flavors from around the world at the Sabores “international cuisine” restaurant or treat themselves to a sweet or savory crepe at The Crêpery Logan. Young learners begin their education at Adams Elementary School, which Niche gives a B-plus rating and recognition as the number one standout elementary school in the state. Students go on to attend the C-plus-rated Mount Logan Middle School and the B-rated Logan High School. Logan High, like the rest of its district, scores very high in student diversity, while also being ranked by Niche as one of the top 33 best college prep public high schools in the state. From freshman year on, the school prepares students for college or non-collegiate career paths, including through high-technology Medical Anatomy and Physiology courses. The importance of education in this neighborhood is underscored by the presence of Utah State University at its eastern edge. This public land-grant research university is famous for its military science program and for its Division I athletics, including the school’s strong “Aggies” football team. Adams is served by the Cache Valley Transit Department, which operates several bus routes throughout Logan. In addition, drivers have easy access to Highways 89 and 91. Salt Lake City is accessible within an 85-mile, hour-and-a-half drive down Highway 89, while the lakeside town of Garden City - nicknamed the “Caribbean of the Rockies” - is just 40 miles and an hour’s drive away. Logan Regional Hospital is located within Adams, as is the local police department, ensuring that residents are never far from help.

Located at the western edge of Logan, the neighborhood of Bridger is all about business. Its western edge is full of industrial buildings, the shopping hub of Main Street serves as its eastern boundary and the Bridgerland Technical College sits at the heart of this community. “It’s a young and growing area,” says Realtor Grey Wilson of Dwell Realty, who has sold extensively in the area. While Bridger may not have the same proximity to riverfront recreation or the lively environments of the Eccles Theatre or Utah State University, this neighborhood offers homebuyers competitive housing prices and immediate access to everyday conveniences from supermarkets to boutique shops. The neighborhood of Bridger derives its name from the pioneer Jim Bridger, who helped choose the site for Logan’s settlement in the 1850s. Incidentally, this section of Logan sits along its quiet, western frontier, and this community is presently undergoing its own wave of settlement. Ranch-style homes built in the 1990s and 2000s now share streetscapes with townhouses currently under construction, evidencing Bridger’s transition from an industrial district to an increasingly in-demand part of town. Homes vary in price from $95,000 for a manufactured home to $1.45 million for a brand-new triplex; most houses sell for between $245,000 and $500,000. Bridger is home to several small parks that serve as little oases of nature in an area undergoing major homebuilding. The Logan City Park, located just next to Bridger Elementary School, is all about baseball, with three large diamonds surrounding a central picnic shelter. Across the street, Bridger Park offers a playground and volleyball net for students’ enjoyment and a community garden where locals can rent one of its 50 raised garden beds for their green-thumbed pursuits. Bridgerland Park, which bears Logan’s pioneer-themed nickname, includes a baseball field, a playground and a wide-open field for picnics or field sports. Main Street forms Bridger’s eastern boundary, and its abundance of shops and restaurants ensure that grocery trips and meals out are never too far away. Shoppers can stock their shelves at Sam’s Club or WinCo Foods, while local businesses like My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe add local creativity to this commercial thoroughfare’s offering of brand-name stores. For a bite out, foodies can stop by Romo’s Mediterranean Grill for a Greek salad or a plate of shawarma and rice, while El Toro Viejo serves up tacos and other Mexican classics in a cantina-inspired environment. Students can attend the schools of Logan City School District, starting out at Bridger Elementary School, which Niche gives a C rating. Learners go on to attend the C-plus-rated Mount Logan Middle School and the B-rated Logan High School, which is especially known for its strong drama, music and football programs. Bridger is also home to the Bridgerland Technical College, a community college that also offers free classes to high school juniors and seniors. Utah State University, located 2 miles down 1400 North, is one of the city’s largest employers and is nationally recognized as the “West Point of the West” for its longtime focus on military science. Residents of Logan can travel throughout the Cache Valley by making use of Cache Valley Transit’s buses, with Bridger’s Main Street being home to a half-dozen bus stops. Bridger is home to the Logan-Cache Airport, which frequently runs charter flights to transport Utah State’s athletic teams to their competitions. Travelers bound for Salt Lake City can take US Route 91 south for 84 miles, while the resort beaches of Garden City are accessible within a 41-mile journey up Highway 89.

The neighborhood of Ellis forms the middle third of Logan’s western edge, where industry meets commerce. Logan is bounded to the west by warehouses and to the east by the shopping hub of Main Street, while the core of this community consists largely of vintage homes with a median construction year of 1939. With homes varying in price from $275,000 to $752,000, Ellis offers homebuyers a range of options close to Logan’s downtown retail scene, its spiritual center and the city’s major college. Ellis is one of Logan’s oldest neighborhoods, with some of its oldest homes dating back to the first decade of the 1900s. Cottages, bungalows and ranch-style homes form the majority of single-family residences, while townhouses and new duplexes add variety to housing aesthetics and dates of construction. Early 20th-century, single-story homes tend to fetch between $235,000 and $450,000, while mid-century ranches and cottages vary in price from $450,000 to $575,000 and multi-unit houses sell for between $1.1 million and $1.6 million. These homes tend to be situated along quiet residential streets with verdant lawns and tree-shaded sidewalks, although sidewalk access can be inconsistent. Logan’s Main Street serves as the eastern boundary for the neighborhood of Ellis, giving residents access to shopping conveniences and diverse eateries alike. Locals can stock their shelves at the local Smith’s supermarket, while foodies can start their day with breakfast and a coffee from the Westside Coffee Company, treat themselves to a sweet or savory treat from The Crepery Logan and have a brew and a homemade gelato at the Beehive Pub & Grill. Ellis, as a primarily residential and industrial area, does not have any parks of its own. However, Willow Park is located just a few blocks to the south, and this green space is a hub of outdoor recreation. Visitors can play baseball at one of its four diamonds; put on a volleyball or basketball game at its “horseshoe park,” or visit Zootah, a small zoo featuring one of the region’s largest bird collections. Also along South 500 West is Fairview Park, which houses the Logan Aquatic Center and the Logan Skate Park, two popular venues for summertime fun. Ellis Elementary School, for which the neighborhood is named, is the oldest school in the state, having opened in 1893. Ellis receives a B-minus rating from Niche, while Mount Logan Middle School receives a C-plus rating and Logan High School merits a B rating. Logan High ranks among the top 16 most diverse high schools in the state and among Utah’s top 33 college prep high schools, while also featuring strong athletics and arts programs. Ellis residents are connected to the rest of Logan by Cache Valley Transit’s buses, with Main Street housing several bus stops. Main Street also transforms into Highway 89 as it heads south, enabling travelers to access Salt Lake City within an 82-mile and an hour-and-a-half’s drive. The Logan Regional Hospital, a major healthcare and employment center, is just a 3-mile and approximately 10-minute drive around the corner.

Sitting along both banks of the Logan River, the neighborhood of Wilson bridges the gap between Logan’s historic downtown and the rich nature that embraces its eastern frontier. Equally varied are Wilson’s streetscapes, where roads lined with early 20th-century, single-story homes sit blocks away from cul-de-sacs featuring newer and larger builds. Green, riverside parkland bisects this neighborhood, while a major highway and the scenic desert hills form its borders. With one foot in downtown Logan and the other in the foothills of the Bear River Mountains, Wilson positions its residents to enjoy proximity to both major shopping amenities and the tranquility of the city’s outskirts. Wilson is home to a diverse housing inventory that includes bungalows built as early as the 1910s and new-traditional custom-builds built in the 2000s. The Logan River divides Wilson’s older western half and its newer eastern half, with homes in the western half varying in price from $270,000 to $550,000 and homes in the eastern half ranging from $385,000 to $1.3 million. The foothills of the Bear River Mountains have, over the past two decades, become home to new waves of construction, with large, custom-builds with Colonial Revival influences coming to dominate the hillsides. These developments in the outskirts offer panoramic views of the rest of Logan from their high-altitude locations, and they tend to cost between $500,000 and $1.3 million. The Logan River runs through the heart of Wilson, imbuing the surrounding neighborhood with a strong connection to nature. River Hollow Park sits on the riverside, inviting visitors to make use of its playground and volleyball court, picnic under its shelter or own its verdant fields or take in the views of the river and its waterfowl. Further along the river, the Canyon Entrance Park is a popular venue for kayaking, canoeing and riverside strolls, with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail taking adventurous hikers north towards the mountains. The Dry Canyon Trail runs from Wilson’s eastern edge towards Logan Peak and the Bear River Mountains, and many travelers choose to bike that well-shaded route or bring their dogs with them off-leash. While much of Wilson is residential, the retail hub of Main Street forms this neighborhood’s western boundary. This commercial thoroughfare is lined with both brand-name and local restaurants and shops; two Walmart supercenters and two Smith’s grocery stores lay within ten blocks of Wilson’s portion of Main Street. Foodies might drop by the creatively named Logan’s Heroes for a sub or gyro, while The Crepery Logan is popular for its bistro feel and its sweet and savory crepes. Wilson is also home to a hidden-away historic treasure, Herm’s Inn. During the early 20th century, this inn was famous as a traveler’s “first chance” to gas up outside the mouth of the Logan Canyon. This restaurant now brands itself as the “first chance for great food” in the city and is often packed at breakfast time. Learners start their education at Wilson Elementary School, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche. Students go on to attend the C-plus-rated Mount Logan Middle School and the B-rated Logan High School, which ranks among Niche’s top 16 most diverse high schools in the state while also receiving high marks for its college prep focus. Just across Highway 89 from the neighborhood is Utah State University, best known for its military science program and its Division I “Aggies” athletic teams. Wilson, along with the rest of Logan, has access to Cache Valley Transit’s bus system, which can take travelers to the center of Logan within a 1.5-mile and 5-minute journey. Wilson is also close to Highways 89 and 91, and drivers can access the Logan Regional Hospital within a 3-mile and 10-minute drive. The LDS Church’s Logan Utah Temple, the regional center of Utah’s dominant faith, is located just across Boulevard Street from Wilson.

Woodruff may be located at the southern edge of Logan, but its wealth of popular features helps residents feel like they are at the heart of the city. Willow Park’s baseball field and zoo provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, while dozens of major retailers, local businesses and diverse restaurants line Highway 89. As the home of some of Logan’s most well-attended annual events, as a center of retail and as a diverse housing market, Woodruff has a strong and unique appeal. Woodruff is a relatively new neighborhood of Logan. The average year of construction for a home is 1999, and dozens of single-family homes built from the 2000s to 2010s add variety to streetscapes where cottages and ranch-style houses have historically predominated. Realtor Kim Petersen of Better Homes & Gardens Momentum says, “It’s a mix of townhomes and condos, student housing, starter homes, luxury…you can pretty much find any home you’re looking for.” Most of Woodruff’s streets feature sidewalks and small, grassy front lawns, with grid-patterned residential lanes branching off from major roads. Manufactured homes can sell for between $60,000 and $140,000, while condos and townhouses can sell for between $165,000 and $370,000 and single-family homes fetch prices between $400,000 and $750,000. In a city in which the average home sells within the $400,000s range, Woodruff offers homebuyers plenty of less expensive options, as well as pricier, more recently built accommodations. Woodruff is home to one of Logan’s most popular outdoor spaces, Willow Park. “Logan has about everything you can dream of when it comes to the outdoors,” Petersen says. “Willow Park is one of the many beautiful parks of Logan, and it even has a zoo. Admission for adults is $7 and $5 for kids, so it’s a really affordable activity for the family.” Willow Park’s zoo, Zootah, originated as a bird shelter in 1970 before evolving into a menagerie of exotic and native animals from foxes and lynxes to macaws and tortoises. Willow Park also includes a “Horseshoe Park,” in which four baseball fields, several basketball courts and a playground sit along a horseshoe-shaped parking lot. Just around the corner, the Cache County Fairgrounds brings the community together for annual events from carnivals to car shows. “Every year for the Fourth of July, the Cache Valley Cruise-in has a concert, fireworks, parade and car show with old cars,” Petersen says. At the northern edge of Woodruff, Fairview Park includes an aquatic center and a skate park, allowing visitors to test their backflip or their kickflip. Woodruff’s location along Highway 89 gives shoppers direct access to both everyday conveniences and opportunities for dining out. “It’s another city that likes to support its local eateries,” Petersen says. Residents can stock their shelves at the local Walmart, while nearby restaurants offer diverse menus bringing out flavors from across the world. MayMoes Cajun Grill, a Cajun restaurant founded by a Louisiana transplant, touts a recommendation from Guy Fieri, while Firehouse Pizzeria has been a longtime pillar of the community. El Salvador Los Primos offers diners a colorful backdrop of Central American murals while serving up authentic Salvadoran and Mexican dishes. Woodruff takes its name from Woodruff Elementary School, which Niche gives a B-minus rating. Logan alumni can go on to attend the C-plus-rated Mount Logan Middle School and the B-rated Logan High School, which Niche ranks among the top 16 most diverse high schools in the state and among its top 33 college prep high schools. Logan High is known for its strong athletics, drama and music programs; among its alumni is the best-selling musician Pepa from the rap trio Salt-N-Pepa. Woodruff and the rest of Logan are connected by Cache Valley Transit’s buses; a bus ride from Main Street to Utah State University in the heart of Logan can take a half-hour, while drivers can access that part of the city within 10 minutes. The Logan Regional Hospital is also reachable within a 10-minute drive. Woodruff’s roads tend to have sidewalks, making this community easily navigable for pedestrians.