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The days are getting shorter, the nights are colder, fall is here and winter is just around the corner. It's that time of year again - for Mother Nature’s fall color show. Below you will find just a few of the great locations to view the bright fall leaves.
The Alpine Scenic Loop (State Road 92)
This loop is located in American Fork Canyon home of the Timpanogos Cave National Monument. As you enter American Fork Canyon there is a small day use fee.
The Alpine Loop is 24 miles long and provides spectacular views of Mount Timpanogos and the Lone Peak Wilderness Area. The lush vegetation and Aspen groves will provide beautiful bright fall colors. A couple of miles after the Tibble Fork junction the road becomes very narrow and pulling trailers is prohibited. As you drop over into the Provo Canyon side take a break at Cascade Springs for a different outdoor treat of beautiful cascading waterfalls amongst the fall colors and the Provo Canyon views.
Driving Directions
American Fork Canyon (I-15 Exit #287 to Utah State Road 92) or you can enter on the backside from Provo Canyon US 189. Travel time Approx 1 hour.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Considered one of Utah's scenic byways, a drive along the 15 mile route up Big Cottonwood will sure provide spectacular views of the fall colors. There are many locations to pull off and take some photos. For those that wish to immerse themselves in the bright colors take the time to enjoy one of the many hiking trails available in the canyon.
Driving Directions:
From Salt Lake City, take I-215 to the 6200 South "Canyons" exit and then continue east on UT-190, following signs to Solitude and Brighton Resorts.
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Located 20 miles from Salt Lake City, Little Cottonwood Canyon is yet another location to view Utah’s fall colors. The entire route up the canyon will offer the opportunity to view the changing of the leaves, but for the best the canyon can offer, we recommend the Albion Basin. Although world famous for the wild flowers in the spring, it also does pretty darn well at displaying Mother Nature’s fall colors.
Driving Directions:
From Salt Lake City, take I-215 to the 6200 South "Canyons" exit and then continue south on UT-190. Continue east on Wasatch BLVD. Follow sign to Snowbird, Alta Ski Resorts.
The Mirror Lake Highway
Due to the elevation, the Mirror Lake highway is one of the first places the leaves began to change, which will provide miles of spectacular fall beauty. There are many places to pull off to enjoy the scenery, or take part in the many outdoor activities available along the highway. Remember the leaves always change in Utah’s higher elevations first, but so does the weather. Be prepared if you’re traveling through Utah’s higher elevations, winter may take you by surprise.
Driving Directions:
From Salt Lake City take I-80 East towards Park City Utah. Continue on I-80 and merge South on US-189 S/US-40 E exit 146. Continue on US-40 to the Park City / Kamas Exit. Turn left onto UT-248 E which will take you directly to Kamas. Once in Kamas follow the signs to the Mirror Lake Highway UT-150.
Mount Nebo Scenic Loop
The Mount Nebo Scenic Loop has always been famous for its beautiful scenery and fall colors. There are two ways to access this loop, one is from Payson, Utah and the other is up Nephi Canyon. The road travels through the Uinta National Forest offering thick groves of Pine and Aspens. Entering from the Payson side, approximately 11 miles up the canyon you will come to Payson Lakes. This is a great place to have a picnic and view the fall colors around the three different lakes. Continuing from Payson Lakes approximately 16.7 miles up the canyon you will come to Devils Kitchen the Bryce Canyon of the Uinta National Forest.
Driving Directions
Take I-15 to Payson. When you exit the freeway this will put you on main street. Head up main until you reach 100 North. Turn left on 100 North. Stay on 100 North until you reach 600 East. 600 East will take you to the mouth of Payson Canyon. Or you can access via UT 132 up Nephi Canyon. Watch for the Signs.
Brigham City - Logan - Bear Lake
Travel North on I-15 to Brigham City up Sardine Canyon. Sardine Canyon is a four lane highway, which doesn't offer much in the way of a casual drive but it still offers beautiful fall colors. As you enter Logan, Utah continue northeast on US189 through Logan canyon to Bear Lake. From the mouth of Logan Canyon to Bear Lake is a 40 mile long canyon that offers spectacular views of the Wasatch Cache National Forest. As you crest the top and start your descent into Garden City, Utah you will get an aerial view of Bear Lake's crystal blue Caribbean waters.
La Sal Mountain Loop Road
Travel on UT 128 east from Moab, Utah for 16 miles along the Colorado River. Turn right onto county road 73 which will take you to Castle Valley. Proceed through Castle Valley into the Manti La Sal National Forest. Watch for the signs that direct you to turn right onto the La Sal Mountain Loop Road.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is also a great place to view fall colors. Southern Utah's red rock country makes a beautiful backdrop to falls bright red, orange and yellow colors. From I-15 take UT 9 and proceed east through the Virgin River Valley to Springdale and Zion National Park. You can continue east on UT 9 through Zions to US 89, then north to UT 12 and on to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is yet another place to view fall colors. Red rock spires and pinnacles make a perfect backdrop as well, for the golden aspen trees that line the canyons.
There are hundreds of places in Utah to view fall colors that it's impossible to put them all on this page. The list above is just some of the more popular Scenic Drives that Utah has to offer. Most of Utah's mountains will offer beautiful fall colors. Just get out and explore your local canyons to view Mother Nature’s fall color show. This is a very special time of year in the outdoors. It is a time of change for what awaits us - winter. So pack a lunch and your loved ones and go enjoy the vibrant remnants of summer, before the first snow fall begins.
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