The weather is cooling off, the sunsets are getting earlier in the day, and maybe, just maybe, the leaves are starting to change colors. It must be fall. It’s time to go on the BEST fall drives near Salt Lake City.
I didn’t grow up in an area with traditional “fall” feels, so when I came to Utah, I made it a goal to find the best places to see the infamous FALL COLORS near Salt Lake City, my home.
Now that September is in full swing, October, November colors, all the “-bers” are coming.
Sweatah-weathah. Pumpkin spice everything. It’s time to see the fall colors in Utah.
It’s time to go on one of those epic Utah scenic drives, and plan out where you’re going to see the fall colors in Utah. Here are the BEST fall drives near Salt Lake City that you need to check out!
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Located just 25 miles from Salt Lake City, Little Cottonwood Canyon is a quick and easy jaunt to get your fill of the famous fall colors in Utah.
The Canyon itself is home to 2 of Utah’s premier ski resorts, one of which hosts the annual Oktoberfest festival in September and October. So even if just going for an epic fall drive to look at the changing leaves isn’t your thing, you can check them out en-route to Oktoberfest or hanging out at a ski resort!
If you’re like me and your timing is terrible, the vibrancy of the colors is enough to burst through the early snowfall that might occur at the higher elevations.
Alpine Loop
Probably the most well-known and beautiful of the fall drives near Salt Lake City is the Alpine Loop, located just south in Utah County.
The Alpine Loop connects Provo Canyon to American Fork Canyon, with the road twisting and turning alongside the mighty Mount Timpanogos. As you gain higher elevation on the Loop, you’ll start to see the yellow aspen trees, the blanket of colors that drapes the backside of Mount Timpanogos, and, if you’re lucky to see things as the crow flies, the snake of a road from the sky.
Mirror Lake Highway
The Mirror Lake Highway (sometimes referred to as the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway) is a 30-mile road that leads from Kamas into the Uinta Mountains, crossing through the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. There are tons of viewpoints and picnic areas, ample places to pull off and grab those insta-worthy fall color pictures.
The Mirror Lake Highway indeed leads you to bodies of water, all spectacular and, when calm, are excellent mirrors for the fall foliage that litters the way.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Want an easy drive through an ancient canyon to check out the fall colors in Utah? Big Cottonwood Canyon is going to be your jam. There are plenty of spots to pull over, get out and stretch your legs as you take pictures of the foliage all around.
The mouth of Big Cottonwood is just north of Little Cottonwood, so it’s an easy drive from Salt Lake City.
Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway
After you drive through Big Cottonwood Canyon, make sure you keep going and head over to Guardsman Pass. You can definitely access Guardsman Pass via Park City (which is how I accessed it), but hey, if you’re already in Big Cottonwood…
The Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway is a 14-mile road that connects Park City and Brighton Ski Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. If you take this drive, you’ll be rewarded with the beautiful fall colors that you never thought you’d get to see in real life.
Before you head to Guardsman Pass, double check the weather and Utah Department of Transportation website. This pass often gets closed towards the end of October due to snowfall and the high elevation!
East Canyon
If you want a more off-the-beaten-path scenic drive near Salt Lake City, check out East Canyon. As the name suggests, East Canyon is located on the east side of Salt Lake City. Head up I-80 towards Park City and follow the signs for East Canyon exit 134. Follow the road up towards Morgan and marvel at the colorful trees and red rocks.
If you have a sense of adventure and a reliable vehicle that can handle off-roading on dirt roads, check out Little Emigration Canyon, an off-shoot before you reach East Canyon Reservoir!
What is your favorite of the fall drives near Salt Lake City? Where do you like to go to see the fall colors?
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