If you were to take a poll that asked Utahns which season is the shortest, the unanimous answer would most likely be fall. Every year Mother Nature sets the hills on fire in bright red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple tones – but it only seems to last for a moment.
(According to Tripadvisor, your best pick for the best fall colors is late September through early October. This only gives you a 3-4 week window of time, so fill up your car and head out!)
It’s not difficult to find stunning fall colors in Utah. (Pro Tip: If it’s a national forest, ski area, canyon, or mountain, it probably has some nice views.) But narrowing down the list of places can be the hardest part. So, from north to south, here are a few places that you are sure to see excellent fall foliage this year.
Logan Gorge
Head north through Logan Canyon in the fall and you’ll think your eyes are fooling you. Although you’ll see every color in the fall palette, the bright reds are especially noticeable. Take in the scenery from your car or take a hike on the Wind Cave Trail to see some of the best fall colors in the state.
Big Cottonwood Canyon (Photo: Shutterstock)
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon, one of Salt Lake’s most popular recreational areas, is a staple for top-notch leaf-gazing. Although you can enjoy the view from the comfort of your car, stop for a hike to fully immerse yourself in the fall colors. Take the Brighton Lakes Trail at Brighton Resort, head up to Donut Falls, or explore one of the other trails suggested by Utah Outdoor Activities.
Little Cottonwood Canyon
In order not to be outdone by its big brother Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon also hosts its own color show in the fall. Visit Snowbird’s Oktoberfest and enjoy the view of bright yellow quivering aspen trimmed with oak, fir, and pine trees. For a view from above, take the Snowbird tram up the mountain and enjoy the panorama of fall colors.
Mirror Lake Highway
Because it’s higher up, the Mirror Lake Highway is one of the first places you’ll notice the leaves change color. This road winds through the Uinta Mountains and is as quiet as it gets for breathtaking views of the fall foliage. Take a break to enjoy the cascading waterfalls at the Provo River Falls as well and you won’t be disappointed.
Alpine circuit
You can only call yourself a real Utahner if you have ridden the Alpine Loop at least once. Although it’s beautiful all year round, it doesn’t shine until autumn. In addition to all of the golden, crisp reds, yellows and oranges of the leaves, you also have amazing views of Mount Timpanogos and the Lone Peak Wilderness area.
American Fork Canyon (Photo: Shutterstock)
The entire loop is only 24 miles, but you could easily spend a full day taking in all of the sights along the way. (There’s not much better than seeing the Cascade Springs falls against the backdrop of Provo Canyon.)
Panoramic circular route to Mount Nebo
Another popular ride is the Mount Nebo Scenic Loop, which runs from Payson to Nephi. This 56 km long, picturesque back road offers a great view of the 12,000 m high. Mount Nebo, with several excerpts and viewpoints along the way.
Coupled with the vibrant fall colors, be sure to stop at Devil’s Kitchen to take in the red rock cliffs and towers. The best viewing times are usually mid to late September – and with a bit of luck, you can still catch a glimpse of the wildflowers!
Hobble Creek Canyon
If you want a similar vibe to Mount Nebo or the Alpine Loop without the heavy traffic, Hobble Creek Canyon is a decent alternative. The road cuts through the gorge along the West Fork of Hobble Creek and passes Strawberry Reservoir before returning to US Highway 89. It could be your new fall favorite.
Fishlake National Forest
2,283 square miles of National Forest provide beautiful fall scenery – especially when there is the largest cluster of aspen trees you will ever see. Fishlake National Forest should be on your autumn bucket list, if only to see Pando, the heaviest living organism in the world. Pando is a colony of quivering aspen that grew from a single seed. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it covers 106 acres and is made up of over 40,000 individual trees.
Fishlake National Forest (Photo: Shutterstock)
The United States Postal Service named it one of the “40 Wonders of America” in 2006, which earned Pando its own postage stamp. People come from all over the world to see its gorgeous shades of yellow and orange in autumn.
6 mile canyon
Another lesser-known, but equally breathtaking, place to see the fall colors is 6 Mile Canyon east of Palisade Park in Sanpete County. But don’t let the name fool you. The 6 Mile Canyon is actually 40.2 miles long – which means there are plenty of ways to see incredible colors!
Cedar City Fall Color Ribbon
The annual Utah Shakespearean Festival isn’t the only show Cedar City puts on this fall. Both the NBC Today Show and USA Today rate it as one of the “Top Eight Unique Destinations to See Fall Colors” according to visitcedarcity.com.
For the true fall enthusiast, Cedar City’s Fall Color Loop is a must have. This two-hour drive takes you through the red rocks of southern Utah to Cedar Breaks National Monument. For the best leaf-leafing opportunities around Brian Head and Cedar Breaks, plan your visit in late September through early October.
And when you have some time to kill, you can turn it into a weekend by attending the fall festivals and activities in southern Utah. Visit Brian Head’s “Rocktoberfest”, the Parowan Fall Fest or the Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival.
Zion National Park (Photo: Shutterstock)
Zion National Park
Red rocks are probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a trip to Zion. But this national park also has plenty of festive fall colors to delight your eyes with. Reds, yellows and oranges against a backdrop of sandy cliffs are a photo opportunity not to be missed.
To see the fall colors, Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort recommends taking the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive or hiking on lesser-known trails. (Watchman Trail, Cable Mountain, and Taylor Creek in Kolob Canyon are some suggestions.) The best part about visiting this fall? Smaller crowds and lower temperatures mean you can enjoy the breathtaking views without the busy roads and the breaking sun.
Recharge your batteries for your autumn adventure
No matter where you go, those fall colors won’t last long. Set off from late September through October to ensure you don’t miss out on Utah’s breathtaking vegetation. Refuel at your local Maverik, grab some snacks, and don’t forget to bring your camera!
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