10 Top Places To Visit In Utah This Fall

It should not be a surprise that Utah is considered one of the most naturally beautiful states in the country. With its rugged expanses of red rock desert, sky-high mountains, impossibly deep gorges, and abundance of state and national parks, there is enough here to be explored year-round and still barely scratch the surface.

Today, we will be focusing on some of the gems in Utah that are made better during the fall season, from the best parks to see foliage to cozy small towns with longstanding seasonal traditions and beyond.

Park City

A world-renowned ski town in the winter, Park City is an idyllic destination during other times of the year too. As the local aspen trees begin to turn golden in late September, this town transforms into a picturesque autumn getaway for Salt Lake City residents or anyone else visiting the state.

A scenic drive along Guardsman Pass is one of the best ways to travel into Park City and offers spectacular views of the changing foliage in the Wasatch Mountains. Autumn also brings fewer crowds compared to the winter ski season, making it an ideal time to explore the historic downtown, which features art galleries, high-end shops, and restaurants.

For those interested in the area's history, the Park City Museum provides insights into the town’s past as a mining town turned resort town. Additionally, the Park City Gallery Stroll, held on the last Friday of each month, offers a wonderful opportunity to explore local art galleries along Main Street while enjoying the crisp autumn air and colorful fall scenery.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is an iconic natural area in Utah and well worth a visit in the later months of the year. As the summer heat fades and the crowds thin, the park becomes a haven for those looking to explore its famous red-rock canyons in a more comfortable fashion.

Cottonwoods and maples lining the Virgin River, which flows through the park, add vibrant splashes of gold and red to the park’s rugged landscape, making popular trails like the Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk, and Angels Landing even more striking. Late September through November provides the most vivid colors while temperatures remain mild enough for extended hiking and exploration. For the best colors, come in mid-October to early November.

This season is also the ideal time for wildlife watching, as mule deer and bighorn sheep are more active during cooler weather.

Capitol Reef National Park

In south-central Utah, Capitol Reef National Park offers a distinctive autumn experience with its dramatic desert landscapes. Popular hiking trails like Capitol Gorge and Hickman Bridge offer ideal routes for viewing the scenery, while cooler temperatures make outdoor exploration more enjoyable. Scenic drives, including the Capitol Reef Scenic Byway and Notom-Bullfrog Road, allow visitors to take in the expansive views of the Waterpocket Fold—a striking geological feature unique to the region.

In autumn, the park’s orchards, which date back to pioneer times, are ready to be picked, with ripe apples, pears, and other fruit, adding a seasonal charm to the historic Fruita District. just be sure to follow the rules for fruit harvesting, like not picking unripe fruit, and only picking from designated trees, among others (check in with a park ranger or the visitor center for more info on this).

Moab

Moab is most closely associated with the two iconic national Parks surrounding it: Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Hiking and backcountry biking are the activities that likely draw the most visitors to this area of eastern Utah, and the milder temperatures during the fall months are generally more favorable than in the often sweltering summers.

Simply coming for sight-seeing is totally valid, too, as Moab’s proximity to Arches National Park offers the chance to see the famous Delicate Arch and other rock formations against a backdrop of red and orange, particularly along the nearby Colorado River, where cottonwoods flourish on its banks. An afternoon at Canyonlands National Park is a must, too, with its lofty viewpoints over the Green River and the expansive desert landscape around it.

In town, local restaurants, outfitters, and hotels provide some much-needed rest to outdoor adventurers, making it a great stop after a day of exploration.

Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon State Park sits near the town of St. George and is an underrated gem when compared to Utah's numerous other national and state parks. While many flock to Utah’s more famous natural destinations, Snow Canyon offers a quieter experience with its red and white Navajo sandstone cliffs, volcanic cones, and sand dunes, all set in a rather uninhibited corner of the country.

Trails like Hidden Pinyon, Jenny’s Canyon, and Lava Flow, where visitors can spot desert vegetation transitioning with the season, are highly recommended. Wildlife, such as desert tortoises and birds of prey, are more active in the fall. Make sure to keep an eye on both the ground and the sky during your travels here!

Whether you’re interested in hiking, photography, or simply enjoying the tranquility of Utah’s desert landscapes, Snow Canyon is among the best and most underrated in the state.

Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

For a breathtaking drive, the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in the Uinta Mountains is a must-visit. Stretching 42 miles from the town of Kamas to Wyoming's southern border, this high-altitude route has some of Utah’s most spectacular autumn scenery running along it.

The byway winds through dense forests of aspen and pine in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Mirror Lake itself is a highlight, reflecting snow-capped peaks around it in its crystal-clear waters. Along the way, you can stop for picnics, fish in the many alpine lakes nearby, or hike short trails like Bald Mountain or Ruth Lake.

Elk and moose are frequently spotted in the area, as they are out and about looking for a mate. Just make sure to keep your distance, as these large animals are extra aggressive during this time, known as "rutting season."

Bryce Canyon National Park

With its numerous hoodoos formed out of tall red rock, Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most otherworldy-looking places in the nation. In autumn, the contrast between the bright yellows and oranges of the leaves and the pink, red, and white rock spires creates a visually stunning scene that is ripe for landscape photography. Sunrise and Sunset Points offer exceptional viewpoints for taking in these striking contrasts from above.

Fall also provides the perfect conditions for hiking, with fewer crowds and chillier weather; trails like the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden are highly recommended. Stargazing is another highlight during the autumn months, as Bryce Canyon’s clear skies, almost complete lack of light pollution at night, and remote location make it one of the best spots in the country for viewing the Milky Way.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Sitting at over 10,000 feet in the remote southwestern corner of Utah, Cedar Breaks National Monument is best known for its massive amphitheater, which features natural rock formations in unique shades of red, orange, and purple. In the fall, the surrounding aspen groves turn gold, creating a backdrop against this rugged, eroded landscape.

A hike along the Spectra Point Trail is one of the best ways to view the autumn spectacle. Keep an eye out for wildlife like marmots and deer along the way. The point at which the rich colors are at their best in Cedars Breaks is generally from late September to early October- earlier than most places in Utah on account of the sheer elevation this park sits at.

Midway

In the lush Heber Valley just east of Salt Lake City, Midway is a charming small town that becomes especially captivating during the fall. Known for its Swiss-inspired architecture, this town provides visitors with a distinctly European-feeling escape.

In autumn, the forests of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains come alive with color, making it an ideal time to explore nearby attractions like Wasatch Mountain State Park, where hiking and biking trails wind through the landscape. Definitely pay a visit to Midway’s Homestead Crater, a natural hot spring inside a limestone dom that is perfect for anyone looking to relax as the weather begins to get chilly. Also, a lovely drive around the nearby Deer Creek Reservoir provides stunning views of foliage right from your car.

The annual Swiss Days Festival, typically held in early September or late August, celebrates the town’s Swiss roots with food, crafts, and live performances.

Kanab

Sitting near the Arizona border is Kanab, a small town of less than 5,000 residents that is close to some of the region’s most amazing natural features. Sometimes called "Little Hollywood" due to its history as a filming location for Western movies, Kanab is also a great stop for any film buffs out there.

Nearby attractions like Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, with its eye-popping orange dunes, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, a little further south of town, are ideal for exploration at this time of year. Kanab’s cooler temperatures, again, make it an excellent time to hike the trails in these parks. The Wave, a wonderful sandstone formation just east of Kanab, is another must-visit natural landmark nearby. But be warned: due to the popularity of this locale, one must join a lottery system and win (against strep odds) in order to visit. The Toadstools, another unique rock formation nearby, is a good alternative should you not secure a spot at The Wave.

Like many Utah towns during the fall, golden-colored cottonwoods are abundant, and here, they can mainly be found along Kanab Creek.

Unforgettable Fall Adventures in Utah

Regardless of where you are in Utah, every corner of this wonderful state seems to have something to see or do in the later months of the year when the days grow shorter, the air becomes refreshingly crisp, and, better yet, the leaves begin to turn into an array of brilliant colors. Although not known for containing vast forests, there are still many places in the Beehive State to witness the changing foliage as the season advances. Whether it's from a roadside on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway up north or along Kanab Creek down south, don't miss out on these autumn gems in Utah this year.