Fall is arguably the most beautiful time of the year in Park City. I think we appreciate the fall even more because it’s our shortest season. This year, fall came a bit later and we enjoyed warm summer temperatures into early September. But as I write this week’s blog post, high temperatures are in the 70s and mornings are in the frosty 30s. Now is the time to get out on our beautiful trails or hop into your car to see the best that Park City has to offer – because one rogue snowstorm can end our beautiful fall season in the blink of an eye.
Best Fall Drives for Viewing Colors
Some of the best fall drives in Utah can be found in and around Park City.
Mirror Lake Highway
The Mirror Lake Highway begins 15 miles outside of Park City in Kamas. The byway snakes through the Uinta Mountains and ends in Evanston, Wyoming. Be sure to stop for hikes and photos along the way! You can drive the Mirror Lake Highway to the end, then take Highway 80 from Evanston back to Park City.
Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway
Guardsman Pass connects Park City to either Midway (Heber Valley) or Brighton (Salt Lake City). Like the Mirror Lake Highway, Guardsman Pass is a seasonal highway that is only open from late spring through the fall. The road is loaded with aspen trees – and the colors are spectacular. If you go toward Brighton, you will pass the Bloods Lake Trail. This is an easy and scenic trail that is popular with locals and visitors alike.
Alpine Loop Scenic Drive
This loop will take you past Sundance Resort, over the mountains, and ends at Highway 15 in Utah County. The fall colors are absolutely breathtaking. Along the alpine scenic backway, you can hike Sundance Resort or Timpanogos Cave National Monument. The Alpine Loop generally closes in mid-October, so be sure to get there before then for peak fall foliage!
Nebo Loop
The Nebo Loop is about an hour’s drive from Park City. It is designated a national scenic byway by the Federal Highway Administration, recognizing it as one of the premier driving roads in America. Situated in the Uinta National Forest, Nebo Loop has many photo opportunities with beautiful mountain vegetation and wildlife. Keep driving south for gorgeous red rock and visit this scenic byway around mid-October. The route is off Interstate 15 and is a nice break if you are traveling to Southern Utah and have extra time.
Hobble Creek Canyon
This canyon is located near the town of Springville in Utah County about an hour south of Park City. The road branches through the west fork of Hobble Creek Canyon and connects back with Highway 89. Along the way, find places for camping and picnicking (there are several campgrounds) or go hiking along Wardsworth Creek Trail.
The Hobble Creek Parkway Trail is great for a gentle bike ride or the perfect stroll in a beautiful canyon. The trail starts at the mouth of the canyon and travels three miles up the canyon to Rotary Park. The elevation gain is small, but there’s also a parking area at the halfway point of the trail, which can shorten the outing for families with younger kids. The trail eventually goes past Hobble Creek Golf Course and ends at Rotary Park. Hobble Creek is also a less crowded canyon scenic byway, which makes it a peaceful place to see the fall colors in full force.
Wendover, Nevada
If you are feeling lucky, fall is a great time to head to Wendover, Nevada. As a border town between Utah and Nevada, Wendover has developed into a gambling-friendly resort area that is much more laid-back than larger cities like Las Vegas. While short on fall colors, Wendover has all the amenities that one would expect from a resort town – golf, spas, and large concert halls – but on a much smaller scale. There are a number of concerts held throughout the year as well as specialty festivals.
Best Fall Hikes for Viewing Fall Colors
Iron Mountain Trail
This is a 2.6- or 5.6-mile out-and-back trail in the middle of Park City Mountain Resort. It is steep and guaranteed to burn your legs. The trail is filled with large groves of yellow aspen trees and red maple trees. About 1.3 miles up, you will come to a scenic lookout with a bench. This is a good spot to take in the view and then turn around. The trail keeps going another 1.5 miles to the actual top of the mountain, so if you are up to it, you can keep going.
Lost Prospector to Gambel Oak Loop
Gambel Oak trail is filled with Gambel oaks that turn bright orange in the fall. This is about a 3.5-mile loop with a milder elevation gain of 500 feet. Start at the Lost Prospector trailhead on Aerie Drive. There are a few parking spots at the trailhead. Cross Mellow Mountain Road to access the Gambel Oak Loop on the other side of the street. At the top, take Masonic Trail, which will eventually intersect with Lost Prospector, which you will take to complete the loop.
Armstrong to Dawns Loop
This is one of my favorite fall trails. It can be so breathtaking in the autumn, it seems unreal. The loop is 3.5 miles with an elevation gain of 850 feet. Take Armstrong Trail from the Silver Star lift up to the King Con Express lift before connecting with Dawn’s Trail and looping down. Be sure to pay attention to the area where you emerge from the trees. You’ll cross a few ski runs, and then you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Park City Mountain.
Best Time to See Fall Leaves in Utah
Fall typically ends in late October. Don’t delay! Get out and enjoy our beautiful scenery. If you are out hiking or biking, wear layers, as it’s cold in the early morning but the bright sun will warm you up quickly.