Every winter several hundred wild elk come down into a meadow in Blacksmith Fork Canyon, east of Hyrum in Cache County, where the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources feeds them. On winter weekends a horse-drawn sleigh, or a wagon when the snow is thin, takes visitors out into the middle of the herd. It is one of the few places in the state where you can be that close to a herd of wild elk, and it makes a good winter Saturday from Utah Valley.
Hardware Ranch is a state Wildlife Management Area, not a private ranch or a zoo. The elk are wild animals. What you are buying is a ride run by a contractor, Haviland's Old West Adventures, through a herd DWR is managing through the hardest part of the winter.
| Where | Hardware Wildlife Management Area, State Route 101, about 15 to 16 miles east of Hyrum |
| From Provo | About 140 miles, roughly 2 hours 55 minutes without stops |
| Rides | Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays in winter, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| 2025-26 season | Dec. 5 to Feb. 15 (2026-27 dates not yet posted) |
| Tickets | $12.50 ages 9+, $5 ages 4 to 8, free 3 and under; in person only |
| Ride length | About 45 minutes |
Prices, hours and the 2025-26 season dates are from DWR's Hardware visitor page, read Nov. 1, 2026. DWR posts each season's dates in late fall.
When the rides run
DWR runs the rides on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in winter, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For the 2025-26 season its visitor page listed Dec. 5 through Feb. 15. The agency had not posted the 2026-27 dates when we checked on Nov. 1, 2026. In earlier years the season has opened in the first week of December, so watch DWR's Hardware page and its news releases in late November.
The season ends in early February on purpose. DWR says it closes the viewing and feeding season then to reduce the risk of brucellosis, a disease that can spread when elk crowd together at a feeding site.
Groups of 25 or more have been able to reserve a weekday ride by calling the area in past seasons. Individuals and families just show up.
Tickets and what it costs
Tickets are sold only in person, at the Hardware Wildlife Education Center, on the day of the ride. DWR says they are not available online. The center closes at 4:30 p.m., so you must buy before then, and on busy Saturdays in December there can be a line.
| Age | Price |
|---|---|
| 9 and up | $12.50 |
| 4 to 8 | $5 |
| 3 and under | Free |
The education center itself is free, with exhibits, staff and indoor restrooms during the elk season. DWR says educational programs, from guided walks to craft projects, run every day the center is open. A food trailer near the ride line sells food during open hours.
A family of two adults and three kids aged 5, 7 and 10 would pay $12.50 x 3 + $5 x 2 = $47.50 at last season's prices, plus fuel.
Getting there from Provo
Hardware Ranch is about 140 miles from Provo and roughly two hours and 55 minutes of driving without stops, by OpenStreetMap routing:
- North on I-15 past Salt Lake City and Ogden to Brigham City.
- US-89/91 through Sardine Canyon toward Logan.
- Into Hyrum, then east on State Route 101 up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. DWR puts the area 15 to 16 miles east of Hyrum.
DWR describes SR-101 as a paved, regularly plowed state highway and says four-wheel drive is usually unnecessary, but it advises caution in winter. Two things catch people out:
- No cell service in the canyon. Download a map before you leave Hyrum.
- No fuel at the area. Fill up in Hyrum or Logan.
DWR's page also noted that the road across the top of Hyrum Dam (West 300 South) was closed for construction, which matters only if you use that route through town. Follow the signed route on SR-101.
For a winter drive this long, check the canyon and road status board and UDOT's conditions before you leave, and plan to be on the road by about 8 a.m. if you want to ride before lunch.
How to make a day of it
With almost three hours each way, most Utah Valley families turn Hardware Ranch into a full day in Cache Valley:
- Logan. Just north of Hyrum, with a historic downtown and plenty of places to eat. Our Logan and Cache Valley guide covers it.
- Ogden on the way home. The drive passes Ogden, and in December our Ogden Christmas Village and ice castles guide has the holiday stops.
- Closer to home. If three hours is too far, our guide to moose, elk and deer viewing in Utah Valley lists the places to see wildlife within an hour of Provo, and our Ogden day-trip guide covers the city itself.
What to bring and how to dress
The ride is about 45 minutes in an open sleigh or wagon at the bottom of a mountain canyon in January. Dress for that, not for the car:
- Winter coats, hats, gloves and boots for everyone. Bring a blanket for small children.
- Snacks and water for the drive. The food trailer runs only during open hours.
- A camera with a zoom lens if you have one. The sleigh gets close, but the elk move.
- Cash or a card for tickets and food.
DWR's general advice is to check the forecast for cold and snow and pack accordingly.
The rules that matter
- Stay with the sleigh. The elk are wild. The ride is the way to get close; walking out into the meadow is not.
- Don't feed the elk. DWR manages the feeding.
- Fishing on the area's streams requires a valid Utah license for anglers 12 and older.
- Camping at the area's campgrounds closes Dec. 31, according to DWR, so winter visits are day trips.
Who should skip it
- Families with very young children who won't tolerate a long car ride. It is close to six hours of driving in a day.
- Anyone hoping for a guaranteed number of elk. DWR says rides run regardless of how many elk are in the meadow, and the herd's size varies with the weather.
- Visitors in March through November. The rides are a winter program; the area is open year-round for hiking and wildlife viewing, but without the sleigh.
Related guides
- Ogden from Provo
- Logan and Cache Valley from Provo
- Moose, elk and deer viewing in Utah Valley
- Ogden Christmas Village, Midway and the ice castles
- Canyon and road status board
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Hardware Ranch sleigh rides run?
How much do the Hardware Ranch sleigh rides cost?
Can I buy Hardware Ranch tickets online?
How far is Hardware Ranch from Provo?
Is it a sleigh or a wagon?
How long is the ride?
Do I need four-wheel drive to get to Hardware Ranch?
Why does the elk feeding end in February?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Hardware Wildlife Management Area: visit, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Checked November 1, 2026.
- Hardware Wildlife Education Center, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Checked November 1, 2026.
- Winter sleigh rides through herd of wild elk to begin at Hardware WMA, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Checked November 1, 2026.
- Take a winter wagon ride through hundreds of wild elk at Hardware WMA, beginning Dec. 5, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Checked November 1, 2026.
