When do the leaves change in Utah?
Quaking aspen turns the Wasatch and high plateaus gold along the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, while Fishlake National Forest hosts Pando, the massive aspen clone. Peak color typically falls in late September to early October.
Peak: October 12–October 17
Color builds from September 30 · mostly bare by November 6
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures (Open-Meteo) drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model; terrain shifts timing ~1 day earlier per 300 m of elevation. Temperature alone can’t tell a maritime autumn from a continental one — two places at the same latitude and the same September can peak weeks apart, because the trees differ — so each region is also calibrated against published peak dates. Estimates, not promises: typically within a few days, occasionally a week or more out. Check locally before you travel.
Known for
Things to do in fall in Utah
11 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Alpine Loop Scenic Byway
Scenic drivePeak October 7
A 20-mile paved loop climbs American Fork Canyon past Timpanogos Cave and over an 8,000-foot summit between Mount Timpanogos and Cascade Mountain, closing for winter by late October just after its maple and aspen canyons peak.
Don’t miss: Passes Timpanogos Cave National Monument · 8,000-foot summit
Guardsman Pass
Scenic drivePeak October 2
A steep, narrow road switchbacks to 9,717 feet between Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Heber Valley, linking Brighton to Midway through some of the Wasatch Range's densest aspen stands with views toward Park City and Deer Valley.
Don’t miss: 9,717-foot summit · Dense Wasatch aspen stands
Pando
ForestPeak October 8
A single quaking aspen clone spanning 106 acres on Fish Lake's southwest shore, Pando shares one root system across an estimated 47,000 genetically identical trunks, a contender for the largest living organism on Earth, and it turns uniform gold every fall.
Don’t miss: Single root system, ~47,000 trunks · Contender for largest organism on Earth
Cedar Breaks National Monument
National parkPeak October 11
A 2,000-foot amphitheater of eroded limestone spires above Cedar City sits at 10,000 feet, ringed by ancient bristlecone pines and aspen groves that turn gold against red rock. Most facilities close for the season by mid-October.
Don’t miss: 10,000-foot amphitheater rim · Ancient bristlecone pines
Nightmare on 13th
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks October 13
Utah's longest-running indoor haunted attraction, going on 35 years of Hollywood-quality sets in a warehouse south of downtown Salt Lake. Two haunts run under one roof, Nightmare Haunted House and Institute of Terror, with an all-new third attraction announced for 2026.
Don’t miss: 35+ years running · Two haunts under one roof · Third attraction new for 2026
Fear Factory SLC
Haunted attractionColor nearby peaks October 13
A haunt built into a derelict cement plant in Salt Lake's industrial west side: six buildings, some six stories high, plus two underground passages. Buzzfeed ranked it #3 in the world, and USA Today and the Travel Channel have both put it in the US top ten.
Don’t miss: Six buildings, up to six stories · Two underground passages · Ranked #3 in the world
Cross E Ranch Fall Festival
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks October 14
A working ranch on Salt Lake City's north edge that turns over to an adventure farm each fall: corn maze, pumpkin patch, pig racing, zip lines and archery, all included in one admission. Closed Sundays, and it shuts at 5pm on Halloween.
Don’t miss: Corn maze and pumpkin patch · Pig racing and zip lines · One-price admission
Rowley's Red Barn
Corn mazeColor nearby peaks October 6
A Utah County fruit farm at the foot of the Wasatch running a fall festival built around a corn maze that gets a new design every year, plus a pumpkin patch reached by hayride through the orchard. Every ticket includes a train ride, and the farm store sells its own jams and salsa year round.
Don’t miss: New corn maze design each year · Hayride through the orchard · Homemade jams and salsa
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in Utah in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 12–October 17 (best estimate October 15). Color starts around September 30 and trees are mostly bare by November 6.
- How reliable is the Utah forecast?
- The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out — mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.
- When is Utah's autumn season?
- Utah colors during autumn (September–November). Quaking aspen turns the Wasatch and high plateaus gold along the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, while Fishlake National Forest hosts Pando, the massive aspen clone. Peak color typically falls in late September to early October.
- What are the best things to do in fall in Utah?
- The iconic stops: Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Guardsman Pass, Pando, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Nightmare on 13th, Fear Factory SLC. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
- What are the best things to do in autumn in Utah?
- Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Guardsman Pass, Pando, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Nightmare on 13th; each is on the map above with the window to catch it.
Nearby & similar
Cities in Utah
Local peak timing and things to do in fall, computed for each city.
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak October 12–October 17
September 30 → November 6