Weber County

Weber County, Utah is an area of incredible natural beauty and a great place to call home. It’s full of picturesque mountain ranges and lush green valleys that make up its stunning landscape. Soaring snow-capped peaks, meandering rivers, cascading waterfalls, and sprawling canyons provide a breathtaking backdrop to this diverse region.

The county seat of Weber is Ogden, an important cultural and commercial hub for the region. It’s home to both Weber State University and the historic Union Station which connects to Salt Lake City via the Frontrunner commuter rail line. The population of Weber County is over 230,000 and growing. It’s a mix of lifelong residents and new arrivals, creating an interesting cultural landscape that reflects the state’s rich history and modern sensibilities.

Weber County is home to many outdoor activities for visitors and residents alike. The nearby Wasatch Mountains offer skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, and a host of other outdoor activities. Other popular attractions include the Ogden River Trail System, which is composed of more than ten miles of trails for hiking and biking, and the Pineview Reservoir, where visitors can enjoy boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, and more.

Welcome to Weber County, the vibrant crossroads of Utah and the Intermountain West! Our county boasts stunning natural beauty, with the majestic Wasatch Mountains on the eastern boundary and the Great Salt Lake to the west. The picturesque landscapes are adorned with the winding Ogden and Weber rivers and numerous tributaries.

For centuries, the area has been cherished by the Shoshone, Ute, and prehistoric Indians, who hunted in the mountains and foothills and fished in the streams. Evidence of their camps can still be found near the confluence of the Weber and Ogden rivers.

The early 1800s saw the arrival of American and British mountain men, who traded with the Indians and trapped beavers in our region. These daring explorers, such as Jim Bridger and Peter Skene Ogden, played major roles in discovering and mapping our lands. John C. Fremont's visit to the mouth of the Weber River in 1843 resulted in the first accurate maps of the area.

The first permanent settlement was established in 1843 by Miles Goodyear, who built a fort and trading post by the Weber River. This land was later sold to James Brown, and the community flourished under the name Ogden. In 1869, the completion of the nation's first transcontinental railroad, located just northwest of Ogden, brought tremendous growth to the area. Ogden quickly became known as "Junction City," serving as a crucial hub for transportation and commerce.

Alongside its rich history, Weber County has also seen the development of various thriving industries. Woolen mills, canneries, livestock yards, flour mills, breweries, and ironworks have all shaped our economy. Moreover, inventors like John M. Browning have put Weber County on the map with groundbreaking innovations. Browning's 1879 patent for a single-shot rifle was just the beginning of a long line of revolutionary firearms that have been purchased worldwide.

Weber County is located in the northern part of Utah, north of Salt Lake City and just south of the border with Wyoming. The county encompasses 1,622 square miles, much of which comprises the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Great Salt Lake to the west. To the north lies a large portion of Cache National Forest, while on the south are the Great Basin Desert and the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park is a must-see for dinosaur lovers and families. Visitors can explore the park's Jurassic landscape alongside life-size replicas of Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, and other dinosaurs. The Dinosaur Park also offers an array of educational programs and activities throughout the year.

The Hill Aerospace Museum is a great place for history buffs and aviation enthusiasts alike, offering a range of exhibits and interactive displays This museum showcases 200 historic aircraft from the past century, with military equipment, art galleries, educational workshops, and more.