Summary
- Utah offers beautiful fall destinations with stunning colors, especially in the northern region with canyon drives through the mountains.
- Big Cottonwood Canyon Road, Park City, and Midway are great places to experience the vibrant fall foliage and enjoy activities like hiking and mountain biking.
- Other notable fall destinations in Utah include Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Bear Lake, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Dixie National Forest, Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway, Pando, and Alpine Scenic Byway Loop.
The New England region may get a majority of the attention during the fall months, with its famous array of colors and free New England fall festivities, but it is far from the only place in the US to enjoy the colors of the season. Down in the southwestern corner of the country, Utah has a number of beautiful destinations that are at their best during fall.
While Utah is perhaps most famous for the five national parks in the southern portion of the state, the more northern region is ideal for those looking for some leaf-peeping hotspots. The canyon drives through the mountain ranges, in particular, are widely considered some of the most beautiful fall destinations in Utah, with Bigtooth Maple, Gambel Oak, and whole groves of aspens bringing the mountains to life.
These ten Utah destinations, each offering an abundance of these colorful components, are truly at their most spectacular as summer gives way to fall and the temperatures of the high desert begin to wane. Discover the most beautiful places in Utah for fall!
10 Big Cottonwood Canyon Road
Just 20 minutes from the bustling capital Salt Lake City, which offers plenty of its own things to do year-round, Big Cottonwood Canyon road is a calming scenic drive through national forest land on the way to Utah’s numerous ski towns.
The abundance of plant and animal life makes this a popular drive any time of the year, but there is no doubt this 16-mile canyon is at its most beautiful in the fall.
Like many of the mountainous parts of Utah, Big Cottonwood Canyon is full of aspens, oaks, and maples that provide a huge variety of colors for those enjoying this scenic drive through the backcountry of northern Utah.
About Big Cottonwood Canyon Road
- Entrance Fee: FREE (additional fees for some day-use areas)
- Things to Do in Fall: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Picnicking, Photography, Camping
- When to Visit: late September to mid-October
9 Park City, Utah
Home base for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City, Utah is a world-class ski town that attracts visitors from around the globe. A supremely popular winter destination, and an underrated summer destination, there is plenty to do in Park City all year long.
Despite being sandwiched between the city’s two peak travel seasons, Park City is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Utah during the fall. Gentle foothills and towering mountains all turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red as the maples and aspens begin to change.
Since Park City is a ski town, enjoying these fall colors is as easy as hopping on one of several ski lifts in the region. Visitors who come before the end of October can also zipline or bobsled through the fall foliage at Utah Olympic Park, the adventure park that utilized part of the former Olympic slopes.
About Park City, Utah
- Things to Do in Fall: Utah Olympic Park, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Ski Lift Rides, Scenic Drives
- When to Visit: late September to early October
Park City is a fantastic year-round Utah destination with a number of high-end resorts. While these resorts often come with hefty price tags, those visiting in the fall, part of the “shoulder season” or non-peak season, can often secure competitive rates on even luxury locations like Westgate Park City Resort & Spa (which has plenty of its own activities to enjoy).
8 Midway
Midway is a unique central Utah city with a European flare and plenty of things to do. The entire town has a Swiss-German theme that influences everything from the architecture to the food options.
As charming as the town itself is, during the fall the surrounding landscape takes center stage to make Midway one of the most beautiful fall destinations in Utah.
Settled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, Midway is surrounded by aspens and maples that begin to change in mid-September. Visitors can simply stroll through the quiet town and enjoy the color, or explore the miles of hiking trails that lead away from the town.
For an even more adventurous look at the fall colors around Midway, travelers can buy a ticket for the Heber Valley Railroad, which has multiple stops through the scenic Wasatch County, including Deer Creek Reservoir next to Midway.
About Midway, Utah
- Things to Do in Fall: Heber Valley Railroad, Homestead Crater Hot Spring, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Scenic Drives
- When to Visit: mid-September to early October
7 Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
A national forest so big it actually leaves the state, the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest covers over two million miles of the most beautiful stretches of Utah’s mountain ranges. Running from Pleasant Grove in Utah up along the mountains into Idaho and Wyoming, visitors to nearly any part of northern Utah can enjoy this exceptional fall destination.
There are plenty of reasons to enjoy the national forests all year long, but Utah leaf peepers will love exploring this area in the fall when the colors of the coniferous trees vibrantly peak out among the evergreens. Multiple scenic loops through the forest make the fall views accessible for all visitors, and hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails make it easy to get even closer to the fall foliage.
About the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
- Entrance Fee: FREE (additional fees for some day-use areas and scenic loops)
- Things to Do in Fall: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, Camping, Picnicking, Photography, Wildlife Viewing
- When to Visit: mid-September to early October
6 Bear Lake
Right on the border of Idaho and Utah, Bear Lake is one of the most popular summer destinations for local Utahans looking for some reprieve from the desert sun. As the raspberry festival comes to an end and the summer vacationers head home, the blue waters of Bear Lake somehow get even more picturesque.
As fall sets in around Bear Lake, the changing aspen trees stand in stark contrast to the spruce and juniper at the edge of the water. If the beautiful colors weren’t enough, the accommodations also frequently offer more competitive rates as the area enters “shoulder season,” or a lower traffic season.
With fewer crowds, great prices, and beautiful colors, Bear Lake is arguably at its best during fall.
About Bear Lake, Utah/Idaho
- Bear Lake State Park - Rendezvous Beach: 1220 North Bear Lake Boulevard (UT State Road 30) Laketown, Utah 84038
- Things to Do in Fall: Fall Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Hiking, Camping, Biking, Glamping, Stargazing
- When to Visit: mid-October to November
5 Little Cottonwood Canyon
Despite the name, Little Cottonwood Canyon is actually the more popular loop of the Cottonwood Canyon drives. The most direct route to the popular Alta and Snowbird Ski Resorts, Little Cottonwood Canyon is famous for its dense forests and family-friendly hiking trails.
Everything from small rabbits to lumbering moose have been spotted along this scenic drive, but only in the fall can guests enjoy Little Cottonwood Canyon at its most beautiful.
Perhaps one of the most popular places to see fall color in Salt Lake County, Little Cottonwood Canyon is only eight miles long.
From late September through October, those eight miles are full of some of the densest fall foliage in the state, all standing in beautiful contrast to the granite cliffs that Little Cottonwood Canyon is known for year-round.
About Little Cottonwood Canyon
- Entrance Fee: FREE (fee to access Alta property)
- Things to Do in Fall: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Picnicking, Camping, Photography
- When to Visit: mid-September to early October
4 Dixie National Forest
Perhaps the southernmost fall foliage destination in Utah, Dixie National Forest, home to the Red Canyon, is often overlooked (but definitely worth a visit) due to its proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Dixie National Forest also represents the transition from the mountains and forest of Northern Utah to the barren red rock landscapes of the South.
Despite this somewhat jarring combination of landscapes, Dixie National Forest is a beautiful fall destination in Utah, with plenty of coniferous trees providing that trademark array of color.
A more southern destination than the rest of the entries on this list, Dixie National Forest is a great choice for late-season fall travelers looking for warmer temperatures to delay the colorful display.
About Dixie National Forest
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- Things to Do in Fall: Fall Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Hiking, Camping, Biking, Stargazing, Photography
- When to Visit: late September to early October
3 Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway
For those who can’t decide which stretch of the Wasatch Mountains to explore this Fall, the Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway may be the perfect solution. A scenic drive between beautiful fall destinations Park City and Midway, the Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway winds lazily through some of the prettiest fall regions in Utah.
The Heber Valley region is a relaxing mountain region any time of the year, with large stretches of uninhabited areas making it easy to relax, and this relaxing backdrop is even more exceptional in the fall.
Everything—the hiking trails, picnic areas, and even the road itself—is truly surrounded by color, particularly the yellow of the changing aspen trees.
About Guardsman Pass Scenic Byway
- Entrance Fee: FREE to Drive (additional fee for day-use areas)
- Things to Do in Fall: Fall Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Hiking, Camping, Scenic Drives, Biking, Stargazing, Photography
- When to Visit: late September to early October
2 Pando, Richfield
The Pando Aspen Tree in Richfield, Utah is the largest tree organism in the world. While it may not have the presence of other giants like General Sherman in California, Pando is a unique clonal tree that is likely at least 9,000 years old.
Fortunately for leaf peepers looking for the most beautiful fall foliage spots in Utah, Pando is also a sprawling aspen tree. While this 106-acre forest of clones is a unique destination any time of the year, it is absolutely at its best in fall.
As the giant changes color, Pando becomes a sea of yellow, perfect for hiking, photography, or just an afternoon picnic.
About Pando
- Where: 1 mile southwest of Fish Lake on State Highway 25
- Size: ~40,000 trees
- When to Visit: early October
1 Alpine Scenic Byway Loop, American Fork Canyon
Arguably the most popular fall location in Utah, the Alpine Scenic Byway Loop is a favorite among locals and out-of-state visitors alike. Starting at the mouth of American Fork Canyon at the Sundance Resort, this national Scenic Byway winds through 22 miles of canyon roads, with steep slopes of colorful foliage framing each side of the road.
In addition to the nearly endless parade of fall foliage, visitors love this destination for the regular turnouts, which offer picnic areas, hiking trails, and some of the best fall viewing areas in all of Utah.
About the Alpine Scenic Byway Loop
- Entrance Fee: $6/vehicle
- Distance: ~22 miles
- Where: American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon
- Things to Do in Fall: Hiking, Biking, Picnicking, Camping, Photography
- When to Visit: end of September to early October