Ogden Travel Guide

Located in the deltas of the Ogden and Weber rivers, Ogden has always been a bit different, a city apart from the rest of Utah. Although founded by Mormon pioneers and called home by a sizable Mormon population, Ogden really began life as a popular rendezvous site for mountain men and fur trappers in the 1820s, and became -- much to the chagrin of the church -- a seriously rowdy railroad town in the 1870s. It retains some of that devil-may-care attitude today.But Ogden's current popularity has little to do with such sinful beginnings. Like other Wasatch Front communities, the bustling city of more than 60,000 has fine little museums and historic sites, as well as good restaurants and hotels. More important, though, is its location: At an elevation of 4,300 feet, Ogden serves as a perfect base for enjoying the surrounding mountains, whatever your preference -- skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or boating. Mt. Ben Lomond Peak, which lies to the north of the city, may look familiar -- it's said to have inspired the famous Paramount Pictures logo.