I don’t know about you, but I love watching the leaves change in the fall. And in Utah we are lucky enough to see the changes on the mountains around us, which is pretty cool to watch. And if you’re worried about missing out in Utah you can check out this website to see when the leaves are supposed to change. If you are planning on family pictures, a fall hike, or anything in between make sure to have a game plan in place, because once those leaves change you don’t want to miss out.
ALPINE LOOP–AMERICAN FORK
My top pick for families (and everyone else’s in Utah). You get tons of golden aspens, mountain views, and plenty of places to stop without committing to a long hike. The Alpine Loop is especially beautiful in fall, and Tibble Fork Reservoir gives kids somewhere to explore and makes a great picnic stop.
Great for: little kids and teenagers who don’t want to get out of the car
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON–SALT LAKE
This is a great option for any age. Places for a quick roadside stop, go for a hike up to Silverlake, and plenty of places for pictures with beautiful aspens.
Great for: family pictures, young families wanting a short, easy hike
CEDAR BREAKS + BRIAN HEAD
If you want to make a whole weekend out of seeing fall colors, Cedar Breaks and Brian Head should be on your list. The combination of golden aspens, mountain views, and the red rock of Cedar Breaks makes this one of the most beautiful fall drives in Utah. It’s especially fun with kids because you can make plenty of stops along the way to explore, take pictures, have a picnic, or just let everyone get out of the car and stretch their legs. The scenery feels completely different from the northern Utah canyons, which makes the drive worth it. 🍂
Great for: weekend trip
EAST CANYON
The perfect location for a low-key day. If you want fall colors without driving way into the mountains, East Canyon is worth considering. It’s especially nice if you want to combine foliage with a picnic, reservoir, fishing or just a scenic drive.
Great for: all ages
LOGAN CANYON–BEAR LAKE
Did you miss out on a delicious raspberry shake this summer? Don’t worry, you can go up and enjoy the leaves changing and get your shake still! You can spend the day hiking, or make it a day trip and drive the 41 mile Scenic Byway.
Great for: older kids, or anyone who is great in the car
PAYSON CANYON
If you are looking for a adventure, Payson Canyon is easy to make as big or as small as you want. Great for a small adventure day with the little kids, or longer hikes for teenagers. There are lots of places to picnic and explore.
Great for: any age
PROVO CANYON + BRIDAL VEIL FALLS + SUNDANCE
Provo Canyon is beautiful in fall, with golden aspens and red maples against Mount Timpanogos. You could make this a really fun “fall adventure day”. Drive Provo Canyon, stop at Bridal Veil Falls, go to Sundance for a treat, and let the kids explore.
Great for: all ages
WHEN I’D GO
Utah’s elevation makes fall color season spread out. The highest elevations can start changing around mid-September, with much of the state hitting its best color in late September and early October.
Mid-September: Alpine Loop / higher elevations
Late September: Big Cottonwood / Provo Canyon / Payson Canyon
Early October: Logan Canyon / Bear Lake
Early-mid October: lower-elevation Southern Utah areas
The trick with kids is don’t make “looking at leaves” the activity. Make the leaves the backdrop for something kids actually want to do. Pack a picnic, get a treat, throw rocks in a stream, whatever makes it fun for everyone. So whether you go for a short drive or make a weekend out of it, I hope this helps you get excited for fall.
