This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A unique Utah Christmas tradition — Hardware Ranch — opens this weekend.

Originally developed 70 years ago to keep hungry wildlife from feasting on farmers' winter hay reserves, the ranch has grown into a family elk-watching and sleigh-riding custom.

Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Cache County opens Dec. 12.

The annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival, which kicks off the season, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Activities during the free festival include displays at the visitor center, interpretive talks about elk and other wildlife in Blacksmith Fork Canyon east of Hyrum, and family friendly crafts.

Elk are the state mammal of Utah. Between 400 and 700 animals move onto the state wildlife management area each winter when Division of Wildlife Resources managers start feeding them, usually once winter forage grasses are covered in snow — a practice that started in 1945. The ranch grows its own feed each summer for the elk.

As many as 25,000 visitors go to the ranch each winter.

Visiting the center and seeing the elk is free. Sleigh rides, or horse-drawn wagons when there is not enough snow, take visitors through the elk gathered on the ranch's meadows. Rides are $5 for visitors over 9 and $3 for 4 to 8-year-olds.

Wagon rides are available Fridays and Mondays from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rides are not offered the rest of the week, but people still can visit to view the elk.

Food is not available at the visitors center, but visitors can bring their own picnics.

Twitter: @BrettPrettyman —

Sleigh riding with elk

Hardware Ranch in Cache County offers sleigh or wagon rides through elk gathered for the winter. See a video of the ranch in the winter and read about why Hardware Ranch made The Utah Bucket List.