That Time of Year Again

We at the Lodge love autumn! It’s cooler, it’s better for hiking, and it’s more colorful! You might not think about fall foliage when you think about Southern Utah, but in fact we are surrounded by some of the best fall colors in the country. The aspens that grow at the higher elevations – places like Fishlake National Forest, and Boulder Mountain – turn a brilliant shade of gold every autumn. And it’s happening right now! So if you want to see some fall colors in 2022, here’s where we recommend that you visit.

Fish Lake. Photo by B. King.

Fishlake and Johnson and Fish Lake

Fishlake National Forest is named after Fish Lake, the large body of fresh water that resides in its borders. And it’s our number one pick for fall colors this year. Drive on up to the lake, located just 20-minutes outside of Loa, Utah, and bask in the golden hues of all those aspens. (And, it might interest you to know, all those aspens are really one organism named Pando, possibly the largest living thing in the world.) Once you’ve made it to Fish Lake, don’t pass on the chance to drive to Johnson Reservoir. It’s another nearby lake inside Fishlake National Forest, and it might even be prettier in the fall than Fish Lake. There is a scenic route that connects the two, clearly marked by signage.

The aspens in fall. Photo by SoloTravelGoals via unsplash.com

Boulder Mountain and Boulder

If you’re here in Southern Utah exploring Capitol Reef, then you should drive up to the town of Boulder, Utah on top of Boulder Mountain. It’s a great drive any time of the year, but it’s especially awesome right now, when all the trees are alight. (Figuratively speaking, of course.) On the drive up the mountain, be sure to stop at the overlooks and admire the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains in the distance. All the way to Boulder you’ll be surrounded by awesome, yellow aspens. Once you get to Boulder, you can continue exploring into the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument or drive the Burr Trail.