6 Utah Valley drives where you can see spectacular fall colors

Estimated learn time: 8-9 minutes

Summer season’s excessive temperatures took their time leaving the celebration, and fall is slowly overlaying the Wasatch Entrance. Quickly to be decked out in vibrant reds, greens, oranges and yellows, autumn is head-turning within the Beehive State—particularly in Utah Valley.

Whereas totally different neighborhoods and areas of the valley can have altering leaves of their very own, there are various drives by way of the mountains which are properly well worth the gas. Listed here are a number of of the perfect leaf-peeping spots all through Utah Valley.

Hobble Creek Canyon

For drivers who take pleasure in a extra peaceable and fewer crowded scenic drive, Hobble Creek Canyon is a superb choice. Situated close to Springville, this canyon street takes you deep into the colourful mountains.

Hobble Creek Parkway Path

There are a number of trailheads alongside Highlands Drive that result in the Hobble Creek Parkway Path. The path is eighteen miles lengthy and runs from the mouth of Hobble Creek Canyon as much as the highest of the Wasatch Mountains.

Views alongside the best way are breathtaking! This path is widespread amongst each hikers and mountain bikers. The path is open year-round, although circumstances range primarily based on the season. You should definitely examine the climate earlier than setting out on this path, because it will get very chilly within the winter months.

Kelly’s Grove Park

Kelly’s Grove Park, alongside Hobble Creek Highway, is a serene park to relaxation and luxuriate in the great thing about Hobble Creek Canyon. There are a number of trails that journey by way of the forest, with a number of scenic overlooks alongside the best way.

There are numerous picnic areas, playgrounds and some small lakes the place you may fish. This park is open throughout daylight and is a superb place to spend a day with the household.

Alpine Loop

Maybe the most well-liked Utah Valley fall drive is Alpine Loop. Freeway 92 has a great deal of autumn treasures, together with Cascade Springs–a phenomenal spring with waterfalls and bridges dotting the again of Mount Timpanogos. There are additionally a number of trailheads alongside the freeway with a few of the finest fall hikes within the state.

You may entry Alpine Loop both by way of Provo Canyon or American Fork Canyon. When you’re getting out of the automotive to discover the forest or wilderness areas, you may have to pay a small $6 payment—nevertheless it’s good for 3 days!

Stewart Falls

Stewart falls is a favourite 3.6-mile hike ranging from Aspen Grove alongside the Alpine loop. The falls are accessed by a brief and straightforward (however considerably rocky) path. There are well-marked switchbacks and a gradual ascent with a complete elevation acquire of 160 toes. The falls themselves are very picturesque with a pool of water at their base.

Mount Timpanogos

This hike is a strenuous one, however the view is totally breathtaking. The hike begins in Aspen Grove with a 7-mile trek ascending to the highest of Mount Timpanogos, with an elevation acquire of about 4,875 toes.

It is a widespread hike for a lot of within the fall when the bushes are altering. The path may be very properly marked, and also you cross the Stewart Falls path alongside the best way. There are a number of stream crossings, however nothing too troublesome.

The reward on the prime is totally well worth the climb and properly well worth the views. There are numerous locations to view the Alpine Loop alongside the best way, so you may cease at numerous factors to absorb the surroundings.

Cascade Springs

The street to Cascade Springs from the Alpine loop branches off to the appropriate towards Heber Valley. The boardwalk is brief and straightforward and is a superb place for individuals of all ages in addition to canines. The path is huge and largely flat with a number of steps and rocks alongside the best way. There are a number of small waterfalls alongside the path, in addition to some distinctive rock formations.

Tibble Fork

Tibble Fork is a superb spot for fishing, picnicking, and mountaineering, however it’s a very small space. There are a number of mountaineering trails, together with one which results in Timp Falls (about 2.4 miles spherical journey). Tibble Fork is a superb place to chill out and luxuriate in nature, however it’s small and simply accessible.

Provo Canyon

There may be nothing fairly just like the drive up Provo Canyon as the enormous Utah mountains encompass the winding street on either side. There are a number of issues to do off of the primary street within the canyon.

Squaw (Kyhv) Peak

Squaw peak is a brief drive from Provo Canyon with a surprising view on the prime. You may simply spend the day driving alongside the canyon and nonetheless have time to make it to the height.

Bridal Veil Falls

That is the most important and most well-known waterfall within the canyon. It is lovely, very easy to get to, and an excellent place to go throughout any season. There’s a parking zone proper close to the falls, and you’ll stroll proper as much as the sting to benefit from the view. There are additionally trails that result in the highest of the falls, however they are often muddy and slippery throughout sure instances of the 12 months.

Provo River Parkway

The Provo River Parkway Path begins at Vivian Park and continues for 15 miles all the best way out to Utah Lake. You may typically see individuals strolling, biking, and longboarding alongside the paved path that continues out of the canyon.

The Federal Freeway Administration classifies Nebo Loop as a Nationwide Scenic Byway. With that form of identify, there isn’t any surprise why it is a widespread fall drive. The U.S. Forest Service says this 35-mile paved street is dwelling to aspens, oaks, junipers, and spruce-fir bushes, making a fiery and colourful palette.

Begin from Payson after grabbing some ice cream from Eli’s for the street. The primary focal point alongside the Nebo Loop is Payson Lakes, a collection of small lakes which are nice for paddleboarding, kayaking, or taking a stroll.

Satan’s Kitchen Viewpoint

This viewpoint is a must-see alongside the Nebo Loop. It’s situated about midway by way of the drive, so be certain that to put aside sufficient time to get right here. There’s a small parking zone on the viewpoint, which may get crowded rapidly on a fall Saturday.

Satan’s Kitchen is a bowl-shaped basin of sandstone that will get its pink coloration from iron deposits. That is the perfect viewpoint alongside the byway to see the autumn colours because the pink rock contrasts properly with the yellows, oranges, and greens of the leaves.

The most effective instances to go to are within the morning or late afternoon when the solar is decrease within the sky and casts an orange glow on the panorama.

Grotto Falls

Grotto Falls is a small cascade that flows right into a small grotto. The falls are alongside a brief path that’s accessible to most individuals. This quick path is a superb place to stretch your legs and discover the great thing about the autumn foliage. The grotto is a small cavern that the water flows into, making a small pool that’s nice for photos.

Spanish Fork Canyon

Situated on US-6 heading towards Worth is Spanish Fork Canyon. Not solely will your drive by way of the canyon be stuffed with dazzling autumn colours, however you’ll take a number of routes on the fork between Freeway 89 and Freeway 6.

Fifth Water Sizzling Springs

When you make a aspect journey up Diamond Fork Canyon you may go to Fifth Water Sizzling Springs. Most individuals wish to hike to the springs when the climate is cooler, however within the fall, you may get heat water with a view.

Freeway 68, west of Utah Lake

The drive alongside Freeway 68 presents a view that is simply as spectacular as these canyon roads, nevertheless it has one thing most different Utah drives do not have: a panoramic view of Utah Valley in autumn.

When you will not see groves of colourful bushes on this drive, you may see all of Utah Valley’s colours from a distance—with a lake view.

Utah Valley shines within the autumn months and there isn’t any higher strategy to expertise the intense colours than to go for a drive and immerse your self in them. For extra info on every of those scenic drives, go to utahvalley.com.