Fall is a time of change. The air becomes crisp and clear. The days get cooler and shorter. And nature puts on her big show, with the fiery reds, brilliant oranges and golden yellows of the changing leaves.
Whether your mode of transportation is a vehicle or your hiking boots, fall in Park City is a sight to behold. Use our handy guide to show you the most spectacular spots for leap peeping.
If you’ve got your hiking boots on, the Summit Park’s Over Easy Trail is located along I-80 between Park City and Salt Lake City. At just 2.5 miles long, it is an easy trail and perfect for the whole family. You’ll meander through both pine forests and alpine meadows.
The McLeod Creek Trail is also appropriate for all ages and runs all the way from Park City to Kimball Junction. More intrepid adventurers may opt for a bicycle tour over the bridges and along the creek, though you may also enjoy a slower paced walk in shorter sections.
The 2-mile Sulton Out and Back Trail hugs the hillside, offering views of grassy meadows, and aspen groves. This is a simple hike with an easy grade, perfect for all ages.
If you’d like more of a challenge, start your journey up the Silver Lake Trail at Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Lodge and then hike up to the 9,346’ summit of Bald Mountain. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the spellbinding view of Jordanelle Reservoir, framed by vibrant fall foliage.
Guardsman Pass is a perennial favorite for not-to-be-missed fall colors. There are plenty of trails to follow, but if you’re looking for a relatively short one with amazing summit views, check out Clayton Peak. It’s only about 3 miles, but is also relatively steep, so keep that in mind when making plans.
If you’d rather experience the beauty of the fall colors from the comfort and safety of your car, we’ve got some great suggestions for that as well!
Again, Guardsman Pass is a favorite go-to. Depending on how far you’d like to drive, you can see the sights from Park City to Brighton and Salt Lake or to Midway and Wasatch Mountain State Park. Most of the route is paved, but even the gravel sections are easy to traverse in the family car or SUV.
Provo Canyon begins just 20 minutes from Park City and provides a scenic byway with dramatic vertical cliffs of limestone. This route offers much diversity in its scenery, from the luminous Bridal Veil Falls to looming peaks and even views of Deer Creek Reservoir, where you can watch the boaters and the wind and kite surfers,
The Alpine Scenic Loop is up past the Sundance Resort and boasts 27 miles of fantastical mountain scenery and some of the most vibrant fall colors to behold in all of Utah. Just a couple of the sites to see are Mount Timpanogos and actor Robert Redford’s famed Sundance Resort.
Whichever route you decide to take, or whether you go on foot or from the comfort of your car, you are sure to long remember the majestic beauty of Utah’s scenic byways, as they don their best fall finery to welcome another spectacular winter.
