Utah Fall Colors: The 13 Best Hikes

Last Updated on February 16, 2024 by Kathryn

It’s fall in Utah which means it’s time to grab your hiking boots. Utah’s fall colors are just so vibrant and combined with some fresh mountain air are just perfection!

Utah, mountains, fall…there isn’t much more I could ask for.

When to see Utah fall colors

When is fall in Utah? Or, more importantly, when do the leaves change in Utah?

The mountains in Utah County turn earlier than the valleys, and Utah’s fall colors tend to peak right around the last week in September or the first week in October.

The week or two before and after are still great times to see colors, but it’s less likely to be at their peak.

Best Utah County Hikes to See Utah’s foliage

There are so many hikes in Utah County that it can be hard to narrow them down to the best ones.

Having lived in the area for a decade, I’ve done a LOT of them and picked these hikes in Provo UT and other hikes in Utah County as the best for family.

Most of these hikes are in the 3-ish mile range.

If you’re looking for more information about hiking in Provo Utah during other times of the year, I’ve got a whole post on that.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

1. Grotto Falls Trail

Location: Located 15 minutes up Payson Canyon on the Mount Nebo Loop, 45 minutes from Provo and an hour from Salt Lake City.

Mileage: 0.6 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 91 feet

Good for Ages: all ages

What You’ll See: Waterfall, leaves

Good to Know: Roads close seasonally based on weather. Check out alerts by the Forest Service.

Short and sweet with several easy bridge crossings and a small waterfall at the end. The grotto evokes thoughts of fairies, elves, and all kinds of mystical, magical creatures.

If you don’t mind getting a little wet, you can touch and walk behind the waterfall.

The pine forest trail is mostly shaded, and dogs are allowed.

This makes for a great little stop along the scenic Mount Nebo Loop drive (a great one for fall leaf viewing).

2. Cascade Springs Interpretive Trail

Location: A bit more out of the way, it’s located about 45 minutes from Provo, and an hour from  Salt Lake City. The trail is located along the Alpine Loop in the Uinta National Forest.

Mileage: 0.8 miles loop

Elevation Gain: 183 feet

Good for Ages: all ages

What You’ll See: Fall leaves, deer, otters, beavers, wild turkey, gently flowing spring

Good to Know: Partially wheelchair accessible. Dogs are allowed. $6/3 day parking fee. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

The Utah fall colors really shine on this one with the colorful leaves contrasted with lush, green plants along the sparkly clear water springs.

The fall colors are stunning! Expect a LOT of people unless you’re there early in the morning. Despite the crowds, it’s still worth visiting.

3. Buffalo Peak Trail

Location: Located in Provo Canyon, 20 minutes from Provo and 1 hour from Salt Lake City

Mileage: 0.9 mile out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 275 feet

Good for Ages: 4+ if walking on own

What You’ll See: Red maple leaves, views

Good to Know: Free to drive and park. The last three miles of the road to the trailhead are dirt and it’s very bumpy!

One of the best Utah fall mountains!

Hike this to feel like you’re on top of the world. This short hike offers a lot of view for a little work.

The vibrant reds and oranges go on for miles. It is fairly flat until that last section. There’s a short, steep scramble to the top of a hill where you can see Utah County down below.

Bring a snack to enjoy while sitting in the shade under trees.

4. Bridal Veil Falls

Location: Located 5 minutes from Provo and 45 from Salt Lake City in Provo Canyon

Mileage: 1.4 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain:  134 feet

Good for Ages: 4+ if walking on own

What You’ll See: 607 ft tall waterfall, leaves

Good to Know: TEMPORARILY CLOSED, but you can still see the falls from the parking lot. Partially wheelchair accessible. Free to park.

These falls are an iconic Provo landmark that even have a chocolate bar named after them! Bridal Veil Falls is only 4 miles up the road from the base of Provo Canyon.

It’s a fun stop along the Provo River Parkway and there is also a parking lot near the falls.

There is a designated trail, but you are able to either hop out of the parking lot and quickly view the falls, or do the “hike” along the Parkway. Flanked with colorful leaves, the waterfalls are fun to see in the Utah mountains in fall.

Because the parkway is 14 miles long, you can make your hike short or long depending on your preference.

There are also shaded picnic tables near the trail.

5. Timpanogos Falls Trail

Location: Located in Provo Canyon, 20 minutes from Provo and 1 hour from Salt Lake City.

Mileage: 2.4 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain:  770 feet

Good for Ages: 5+ if walking on own

What You’ll See: Waterfall, leaves

Good to Know: $6/3 day parking fee. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

This is an awesome trail that offers gorgeous Provo Canyon views as well as a pretty waterfall.

While this trail is fairly short, there are a few steep sections that might be hard for little kids.

There can be ice on the trail during late fall (or even earlier), making it super slippery, so be careful!

This trail tends to be a lot less crowded than the better-known nearby Stewart Cascade Trail, so hopefully you won’t encounter many people.

6. Scout Falls Trail

Location: Located in Provo Canyon, 40 minutes from Provo and 50 from Salt Lake City

Mileage: 2.9 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 833 feet

Good for Ages: 5+ if walking on their own

What You’ll See: leaves, views, waterfall

Good to Know: Roads close seasonally based on weather. $6/3 day parking fee. America the Beautiful passes are accepted. The forest service requires a parking permit to park in the parking lot during peak season.

Nestled deep into the forest, this Provo Canyon hike really gets you feeling like you’ve left civilization.

The views are never-ending from the falls! The falls themselves gently cascade over rocks, giving them a similar look to Bridal Veil Falls.

See cool ice formations as the falls freeze as the weather gets colder.

While there are some steep sections, we’ve done it with kids as young as 4.

One of my favorite Utah fall mountains for kids and a good hike in Provo UT.

7. Primrose Overlook Trail

Location: Near Aspen Grove in Provo Canyon. It’s about a 1-hour drive from Salt Lake City and 20 minutes from Provo.

Mileage: 3.1 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 787 feet

Good for Ages: 5+ if walking on their own

What You’ll See: Leaves, views!!

Good to Know: $6/3 day parking fee. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

This is it: the best Utah fall hike!

If I had to choose a favorite, it is this!!

You’ll see the Utah fall colors at their absolute best.

The trail winds through yellow-gold aspens and grassy meadows, and then opens up to a ridge with jaw-dropping views all around. Catching it with fall colors is simply magical! Listen closely and you may hear coyotes howling.

The last .5 mile of the trail gets a bit steep, but keep pushing on for an incredible reward.

This is one I’ll do again and again!

8. Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Location: While the entire Bonneville Shoreline Trail runs 280 miles, this particular section is located in Provo. One end is at the trailhead of Y Mountain and the other end is at the trailhead of Slate Canyon.

Mileage: 3.2 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain:  109 feet

Good for Ages: 4+ if walking on own

What You’ll See: views, sunflowers, maybe a sunset or sunrise

Good to Know: Park in the free parking lot for the Y Mountain Trail. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail runs south from the parking lot along the mountain.

One of the more convenient hikes in Provo UT.

There’s no shade, so best to do on a cool day.

This trail runs along the side of the mountain, overlooking the city of Provo.

It is fairly flat with little elevation gain. Watch little kids as there are steep drop-offs on the side.

You won’t see the typical Utah fall colors, but the grass and sunflowers are pretty in their own way. Do in the evening for an incredible sunset!

9. Stewart Falls Trail

Location: Near Aspen Grove in Provo Canyon. It’s about a 1-hour drive from Salt Lake City and 20 minutes from Provo.

Mileage: 3.5 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 652 feet

Good for Ages: 4+ if walking on their own

What You’ll See: Waterfall, leaves, views

Good to Know: $6/3 day parking fee. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

Stewart Falls is a popular one, but for good reason.

Many consider it one of the best Utah fall hikes.

This is a fairly flat hike to a towering 200-foot waterfall at the end.

On a hot day, go close to the falls and cool off on the mist.

Hiking to the top of the falls is not advised as several hikers have fallen and injured themselves.

The partially shaded hike itself offers picturesque views of the surrounding mountains.

10. Big Springs Hollow Loop Trail

Location: Located in Provo Canyon, 20 minutes from Provo and 1 hour from Salt Lake City.

Mileage: 3.9 loop

Elevation Gain:  892 feet

Good for Ages: 5+ if walking on own

What You’ll See: views, leaves

Good to Know: There are picnic tables and bathrooms at the park at the trailhead. Free to park.

The road leading to Big Springs Park from Vivian Park is one of my favorite short drives in Utah County.

The fall leaves are breathtaking! You’ll see all colors nestled into this little canyon.

This Provo UT hike itself is a fun one, running along the spring and passing through meadows with mountains as a backdrop. 

11. Rock Canyon Trail

Location: The trailhead is located in Provo and 45 minutes from Salt Lake City.

Mileage: 5.7 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain:  1,722 feet

Good for Ages: 7+ if walking on own

What You’ll See: views, leaves, rocks

Good to Know: Wear sturdy shoes. Free parking.

This is a very accessible Utah County hike for nearby residents since the trailhead starts at the base of the mountain in Provo and you don’t have to drive up a canyon to get to it.

There’s a steady incline to the top, and the trail itself is mostly composed of rocks.

The trail runs along a river and there are several little bridges to cross.

Watch your step so you don’t twist an ankle!

This gets very icy when there’s snow.

I like this one because of its convenience, but it isn’t my favorite in terms of the views (many disagree with me though!).

12. Mount Timpanogos Trail

Location: The trailhead is located near Aspen Grove up Provo Canyon. It’s about a 1-hour drive from Salt Lake City and 20 minutes from Provo.

Mileage: 13.9 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain: 4,901 feet

Good for Ages: 10+

What You’ll See: Fall leaves, mountain goats(!), VIEWS

Good to Know: Fall can be a perfect time to hike this, as long as there isn’t snow on the ground yet. $6/3 day parking fee. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

I had to throw one in here for older kids looking for a challenge!

This is one of the best Utah fall hikes if you’re looking for an experience that will push you. Only experienced, well-prepared hikers should attempt this.

We did this one last October before any snowfall, and it was perfect.

It was a bit chilly when we started early in the morning, but warmed up as the day went on. Take all the hiking essentials and check the weather. If snow has already fallen for the season then it may be difficult to summit.

You can also access this trail from the Mount Timpanogos Trail via Timpooneke Trail. It’s about the same distance and mileage. This trailhead is closer if you’re coming from the north. The forest service requires a parking permit to park in the parking lot during peak season.

13. Provo River Parkway Trail

Location: Runs from Utah Lake in South Provo to Vivian Park in Provo Canyon.

Mileage: 15.2 miles out-and-back

Elevation Gain:  839 feet

Good for Ages: all ages

What You’ll See: river, leaves

Good to Know: Paved, wheelchair accessible trail. Great for walking, running, biking, or scooting. The river runs fast and cold in the spring and early summer, so watch kids closely.

There are different access points and parking lots around the trail. Check Google Maps.

This Provo walking trail is so long that it is fun to do in sections.

The first couple of miles from Utah Lake are beautiful in the fall, with bright leaves shading the path along the river below.

This part is flat and you’ll pass by horses and goats, making it super fun for little kids.

The section of the trail from the base of Provo Canyon to Vivian Park is great too, but gets very busy with bikers, runners, and walkers.

There’s also a gradual incline as it goes up the canyon. I love biking this section, but kids need to understand the rules or the path to stay safe.

Voltage Rental at the mouth of the canyon is a good place to rent e-bikes. A stroll or bike ride is fun to do on this Provo walking trail

Get Outside!

Fall is a great time of year to do some hiking in Utah’s Mighty 5! Check out these awesome Arches Hikes and read all about Where to Stay in Arches.

Get out there and see some Utah fall colors! Hope you get to enjoy at least one of these stunning hikes in Utah County!