Visiting Hardware WMA

Winter hours at the Hardware Wildlife Education Center begin Dec. 6

Access to hiking, wildlife viewing and other self-directed recreational activities at Hardware Wildlife Management Area is available year-round, and visiting Hardware WMA is free.

Important: Fuel is not sold at the WMA, so plan ahead. There is also no cellular service in this area.

The Hardware Wildlife Education Center is open for the winter season Dec. 6, 2024 through Feb. 9, 2025. You can visit the center on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Elk-viewing rides on a sleigh or wagon are offered during the same days and times the center is open.

When the education center is closed, elk viewing is possible from the WMA parking lots.

Returning this year: elk-viewing sleigh and wagon rides

Haviland's Old West Adventures will offer horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides* through the elk herd on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 6 through Feb. 9. Rides start at 10 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. each day. Each ride lasts about 40 minutes.

IMPORTANT: Tickets for these rides are sold only at the Hardware Wildlife Education Center. Tickets can be purchased between 10 a.m and 4 p.m. at the Education Center and will be honored the day of their purchase. Note: The Hardware Wildlife Education Center closes at 4 p.m. so tickets must be purchased before then. Tickets are not available online.

Additionally, groups of 25 people or more can make reservations for Wednesday afternoon rides by calling Haviland's at 435-744-3229. (Wednesday rides must be booked in advance and are not available for groups of fewer than 25 people.)

Prices

Ages 3 and younger: free
Ages 4–8: $4
Ages 9 and up: $10

Food concessions will be available during elk-viewing ride hours. The food trailer is located near the sleigh ride line and serves food, snacks and beverages.

*Snow conditions on the WMA will determine whether you ride in a sleigh or wagon.

Year-round activities at Hardware WMA

During the spring, summer and fall, Hardware WMA provides great opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking and other outdoor recreation. Licensed anglers can catch several trout species in the nearly 15 miles of streams and rivers on the WMA (anglers 12 years of age and older must have a valid Utah fishing or combination license).

Wildlife Education Center

At the Wildlife Education Center, you will find restrooms, information, exhibits, all-ages education programs and staff available to answer questions during your visit. Educational programs — ranging from guided walks to craft projects — are offered at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. every day the Education Center is open.

Education Center at Hardware WMA, overlooking a snowy field with elk

Where are the restrooms?

Restrooms are available at the Education Center when it is open. There is also a pit toilet located in the gravel parking lot near the Hardware WMA trailhead. (The pit toilet and trailhead area are maintained by the Utah Division of State Parks.)

During elk-viewing season in the winter months (see hours above), the education center is open and indoor restrooms are available.

Camping

In an effort to decrease damage and to make habitat better for deer, elk and other wildlife, the DWR has implemented the following major camping changes at Hardware WMA:

Physical map of Hardware WMA showing designated camp areas, including Wapiti, Baxter-Rock Creek, Baxter-Rock Creek Livestock and Hardware Flats

Camping is now limited to five camping areas:
- Wapiti (May 26–Dec. 31)
- Baxter-Rock Creek (May 26–Dec. 31)
- Baxter-Rock Creek Livestock (May 26–Dec. 31)
- Hardware Flats (Aug. 1–Dec. 31)
- Four small hunting season camp areas (hunt camps A–D) along state Route 101 (Aug. 1–Dec. 31)
Effective immediately, these five areas are the only places where people can camp on the Hardware WMA.
A camping season has been established at the WMA, also effective immediately. In the Wapiti, Baxter-Rock Creek and Baxter-Rock Creek Livestock camp areas, camping will open the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. The camping season in the Hardware Flats Camp Area and the SR-101 hunting season camps starts Aug. 1. The season in all five areas closes on Dec. 31.

Directions

Hardware WMA is located 15 miles east of Hyrum, Utah in Blacksmith Fork Canyon.

The road to Hardware — state Route 101/Blacksmith Fork Canyon Road — is a paved state highway that is regularly plowed in the winter. With careful driving, you usually won't need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach the WMA. Use caution, though, and pay close attention to weather conditions when you plan your trip or enter the canyon.

Coming from Logan, Utah

Travel south on state Route 165 to Hyrum, then east on state Route 101 to Hardware WMA. Signs along the way will direct you to the WMA. Check weather and road conditions before heading out, as snowstorms make the paved road very slippery through Blacksmith Fork Canyon.

Coming from the south

Travel north on Interstate Highway 15 to the Brigham City/Logan exit. This exit puts you on U.S. Highway 89/91.
Follow U.S. 89/91 about 17 miles, traveling through Sardine Canyon into Cache Valley.
After you go through Sardine Canyon, turn right (east) at the Wellsville light (by the Burger King). This puts you on state Route 101 — you should see white state Route 101 signs.
Follow the state Route 101 signs and the Hardware WMA signs through the city of Hyrum and up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Hardware WMA is at the end of the road, about 18 miles up the canyon and 22 miles from the light in Wellsville.

Detailed directions through Hyrum City, starting at the Wellsville traffic light

Turn right at the Wellsville/Burger King traffic light. (This is the junction with state Route 101.)
Go east until you reach 400 West and then turn right.
Follow this road, heading south, until you reach a 4-way stop. Then turn left onto Main Street.
Travel east on Main Street until you reach the light on 800 East.
Continue east through the light and enter Blacksmith Fork Canyon.
Drive up the canyon about 18 miles; this takes 30–45 minutes, depending on road conditions.
Hardware WMA is at the end of the paved state road.

Contact Hardware WMA

DWR employee in a horse-drawn wagon pulling bales of hay

Phone: 435-753-6206

Please note: Hardware staff are available to respond at this phone number Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you need immediate assistance, call the DWR Northern Region office at 801-476-2740.