It’s the Most Colorful Time of the Year!

It’s that season again! The colder weather is settling in on the mountains, and the leaves are starting to change. Soon the aspen forests of Southern Utah will turn a brilliant gold color. It’s one of our favorite times of the year, and we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch want you to experience it too. So let’s talk about when and where you should visit in Southern Utah to see the best fall colors this year.

Photo by Elle Zhu via unsplash.com.

Predictions, Predictions

Luckily for everyone in the United States, there is a dedicated team that creates predictions of when the peak fall foliage will hit every county in the country. SmokyMountains.com make an interactive map that will show you exactly when the fall colors will be best in Southern Utah. And if you look at Wayne County (that’s where we are and where Capitol Reef National Park is located) you’ll see that mid-October is when things are predicted to kick off. The season will last until approximately the end of October. So just a couple of weeks here.

Photo by Caleb Jack via unsplash.com.

Where Else to Go

In addition to seeing the golden aspens of Boulder Mountain and Capitol Reef here in Wayne County, we’ve got some other suggestions of where to see the fall colors this year:

Cedar Breaks National Monument – located near Cedar City, Utah, this mini monument is a lot like Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s got a cool little amphitheater of hoodoos and everything. But the real show this fall is the drive up the canyon to see Cedar Breaks. Consult the map for the best times to make this wonderful, and colorful, drive.

Zion National Park – Zion is of course lovely anytime of the year. But there is something special about seeing it with all it’s fall colors – the reds, the golds, the oranges – against the sandstone cliffs. Zion is a bit unique. Due to it’s location and protected canyon, it’s one of the last places the leaves change in Southern Utah. November is usually the peak season for them.

Johnson Reservoir – This one is also near us. On your way to Capitol Reef, you probably passed the turn of for Fish Lake. Johnson Reservoir is the other, smaller lake located in Fish Lake National Forest. And there is scenic byway that connects the two. And, as you might have guessed, it’s absolutely stunning during the fall. The aspens all turn a brilliant gold. It’s makes for a great day trip if you’re already in the area visiting Capitol Reef.

Go North to Nebo Mountain – in the middle of the state, near the town of Nephi, is Mount Nebo. And it just so happens to be the home of the Nebo Mountain Scenic Byway. And during the fall, it’s one of the best places to see the leaves in the whole state of Utah. So if you’re travel plans include a detour from Southern Utah to Salt Lake City, consider pulling off in Nephi, and taking the Nebo Mountain Scenic Byway. You will love it!

Photo by Intricate Explorer via unsplash.com.

Fall is the Best!

Fall really is one of the best times to visit Southern Utah. The colors alone make it worth the trip. But you also get the benefit of cooler weather, which is a big plus for hiking those long trails. And there are fewer people, since the summer tourist season is winding down. All in all, we love the fall. And we think that you will love it too when you visit.