Second Dam
Second Dam is a beautiful place to explore located just 2.5 miles up the canyon from Logan, Utah. The water from the Logan River is crystal clear, adding to the beautiful backdrop of towering mountains and pretty trees. It is the perfect place to fish, go for a walk, or have a picnic. It is a popular spot, as it is easy to get to, so it can get crowded. Luckily it is a big area, so if the parking lot is full, you can still find some space for yourself.
History of Second Dam
Second Dam started as a sawmill built by Thomas X. Smith in 1868. In 1903, the City of Logan bought the sawmill and built a power plant. Today, the power plant at Second Dam combined with the other power plant down the canyon provide 15-20% of Logan’s power.
Logan Canyon
Logan Canyon is a picturesque canyon in northern Utah located between Logan and Garden City. It is a long canyon with stunning views, tall trees, towering cliffs, the beautiful Logan River, and multiple natural caves. Farther up the canyon is cooler in the summer, but if you want to cool down in the summer, the water at Second Dam is nice and cold. It isn’t deep enough for swimming in most spots, but it is a nice place to wade and get your feet wet.
Getting There
There are two parking lots for Second Dam. There is a large parking lot right on Highway 89. The second parking lot is much smaller and down a little road on the east side of Second Dam.
Cost of Visiting Second Dam
Free!! It does not cost anything to park at Second Dam and it is free to explore the area.
Parking for Second Dam
There are two places to park when visiting Second Dam. The first area is on the west side of the Second Dam area. This is a parking area right on Highway 89. It is at a bend in the road, but it is at a spot where you can see both directions. We parked our camp trailer here the first time we explored the area. To get down to Second Dam from this parking lot, you have to go down a set of stairs and there is not a wheelchair/stroller friendly option from this parking lot. There is not a bathroom at this parking lot.
The other parking lot for Second Dam is on the east side. This parking lot is down a little road that turns off of Highway 89 0.4 miles east of the parking lot right on Highway 89. This lot has 8 parking spots (including 1 handicap spot). There are flush toilets right by the parking lot.
Second Dam
Starting at the parking lot on the west side of Second Dam, you go down a set of stairs (there is a set on either side of the parking lot) and get down to the boardwalk that goes along the side of the river. The boardwalk has a railing on the water side, but no railing on the other side where there is a slight drop off to the ground. This is a fantastic place to fish. The water is clear and you can see the trout swimming around….which is a blessing and a curse when fishing with kids.
As you go around, the boardwalk transitions to a cement sidewalk that meanders through the trees. Along the path are picnic tables and charcoal grills. This path continues around past the east parking lot and the flush bathrooms (the only one at Second Dam, so make good use of the situation).
The path continues to two bridges. This is a very popular spot for family pictures with the trees and mountain in the background. The bridges lead to the packed dirt River Trail, that connects down to the Stokes Nature Center.
What to Pack
You don’t need to take anything with you to enjoy Second Dam. However, it is a nice place to take a picnic. It is also a good place to take your fishing pole (make sure you have your state fishing license before fishing).
Is Second Dam Worth Visiting?
Yes. It is a fun place for a day trip to go fishing or a stop on your way through Logan Canyon.
Recreate Responsibly
Please remember to recreate responsibly so that other people can enjoy it after you. Be respectful to the nature you come in contact with. Take only pictures and leave only footprints.
Explore Close By
- Stokes Nature Center: 1.7 miles
- First Dam: 2.4 miles
- Wind Caves: 2.8 miles
- Zootah: 6.5 miles
- Hobitt Caves: 7.3 miles
- American West Heritage Center: 11.4 miles
- Ricks Spring: 13.2 miles
- Bear Lake: 35.2 miles
