See the Fall Leaves Near Utah's National Parks

Sure, any of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round — covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs.

Written By Visit Utah

Sunlight illuminating the features of the red rock at Courthouse Wash in Arches National Park.
Arches National Park

Sure, any of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round — covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers or baked in summer sunshine. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs.

Enjoy Capitol Reef and Zion during the fall season (or take the La Sal Loop Drive near Moab for a different perspective on southeast Utah). Make these national parks a destination unto themselves, or wrap them into one of the aforementioned drives — either way, you can’t lose.

Canyon of yellow, Courthouse Wash, Arches National Park.

Canyon of yellow, Courthouse Wash, Arches National Park.

Photo: Neal Herbert/NPS

The Park: Capitol Reef National Park

This underrated national park has features — knobs, ridges and slot canyons — that rival anything else in the world. While there are miles and miles of immaculate hiking trails, which are totally worth every bit of your time, much of the grandeur of Capitol Reef National Park can be taken in and accessed by vehicle.

Start with the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive. This 8-mile paved road is accessible by all vehicles. There are a number of pull-offs to take in the towering sandstone cliffs, red rock and fall foliage of the park. And along Highway 24, about 2.5 miles west of the visitor center, don’t miss the Panorama Point and Goosenecks Overlook viewpoint. Get out of the car for the Grand Wash trail. Also picnicking along the Fremont River is a must; the plant life along the river makes for some of the most epic color gawking in the park.

Top Hikes:

  • Fremont River Trail
  • Grand Wash
  • Frying Pan Trail
  • Golden Throne
  • Hickman Bridge
The incredible contrast in Zion Canyon.

The incredible contrast in Zion Canyon.

The Park: Zion National Park

While the hiking in Zion National Park is incredible, there are several scenic drives to take in the autumnal wonders. For starters, take a regularly-scheduled shuttle bus along the six-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which travels along the North Fork of the Virgin River through some of the park’s most outstanding scenery. It’s closed to vehicle traffic through October. To hit the road yourself, don’t miss the 54-mile (one way) Zion Park Scenic Byway. The drive travels from I-15 to US 89 to the east and gives drivers plenty opportunities to pull off the road to take photos.

Those willing and ready to hike will be rewarded with world-famous trails that travel past clear pools and natural arches, through narrow canyons, and up traverses to immaculate vistas. But to see the waterfalls and red rock play in beautiful tandem with the changing colors of maple, oak and shrub is a thing of sheer delight, and is not to be missed.

Top Hikes:

The warmth of a fall landscape in Fremont River Canyon, Capitol Reef.

The warmth of a fall landscape in Fremont River Canyon, Capitol Reef.

Photo: Chris Roundtree/NPS

Moab-Area Fall Leaves

To be fair, we had to drive a little far afield of Arches National Park to see fall leaves in this corner of Southern Utah. But boy was it worth it. The La Sal Mountain Loop Road is a 60-mile tour well beyond the bustle of Moab and Arches that takes more than two hours straight-through, and longer planning time for stops.

Some of the best views are at overlooks pointed back over the red rock formations of Castle Valley as the road winds and climbs to more than 10,000 feet. Along the way, the vegetation changes from the juniper and pinyon common on the Colorado Plateau to the larger evergreen pines and colorful aspen blend that make this season so popular.

Read these additional resources to learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience the national parks most fully.

Visiting Southern Utah

Each national park anchors a region that beckons travelers to immerse themselves in not only the iconic national parks, but the state parks, national monuments and small towns that weave texture into Southern Utah. Explore our resources to learn how you can maximize your experience, while minimizing your impact on delicate landscapes.

See planning resources

01

4 Days

The Complete Arches Trip

Discover a new side of Arches National Park with this four day itinerary. Start exploring the hidden gems in the Arches region today.

Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

Highlights

See Itinerary

02

6 Days

The Complete Zion Trip

Tucked into the southwest corner of Utah, Zion National Park is the centerpiece for a 6-day red-rock vacation that includes a little bit of everything that makes the state such a marvel to experience.

Ghost Towns, Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

Highlights

See Itinerary

03

5 Days

The Complete Capitol Reef Trip

Planning a trip to Capitol Reef National Park? Explore these local-favorite destinations in the Capitol Reef region to make the most of your trip!

Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

Highlights

See Itinerary

04

5 Days

Red Rock & Dark Skies: Stargazing the National Parks

This road trip through southwest Utah takes you to four of Utah’s best places to see the Milky Way — Capitol Reef National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Adventure, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude, Stargazing

Highlights

See Itinerary

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