Utah has plenty of scenic drives paired with short walks, waterfalls, lakes and overlooks. Here are six of our favorites for an easy family fall adventure.

1. Alpine Loop + Cascade Springs

The Alpine Loop may be one of the best all-around fall drives in Utah.

Start in American Fork Canyon, follow the Alpine Loop toward Sundance and Provo Canyon, and make time for a stop at Cascade Springs.

The short boardwalk trails wind past clear pools, streams and small waterfalls. Add golden aspens, red maples and mountain views, and this one is hard to beat.

Best timing: Mid-September through early October.

Good to know: The Alpine Loop is narrow and winding, and some recreation sites require a Forest Service pass. The road is seasonal.

2. Big Cottonwood Canyon + Silver Lake + Guardsman Pass

For families coming from Salt Lake City, this might be my favorite.

Drive Big Cottonwood Canyon to Brighton and stop for a walk around Silver Lake. The mostly level boardwalk loop gives you lake views and fall color without much elevation gain.

Then continue up and over Guardsman Pass toward Park City for even more mountain views.

You get a lake, an easy walk and a scenic drive in one trip.

Best timing: Mid-September at higher elevations, with colors usually moving down the canyon later in September and into early October.

Good to know: Guardsman Pass is a seasonal road and typically closes when winter weather arrives. UDOT lists it among Utah’s seasonal mountain routes.

3. Nebo Loop + Grotto Trail

If you want big fall scenery with fewer Cottonwood Canyon crowds, try the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway.

The route runs between Payson and Nephi through forests filled with aspens and colorful maples, with several overlooks along the way.

Add a stop at the Grotto Trail, a short forest walk that leads to a small waterfall tucked inside a rocky grotto.

Best timing: Late September through early October.

Good to know: The Nebo Loop climbs above 9,000 feet, so early snow can affect access.

4. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway + Provo River Falls

The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway gives you a ridiculous amount of scenery for surprisingly little effort.

Head east from Kamas on Highway 150 toward the Uintas. Stop at Provo River Falls, where a short roadside walk gives you several views of the cascading river.

Continue toward Mirror Lake for a picnic or relaxed walk surrounded by mountains and aspens.

Basically, nature does most of the work on this one.

Best timing: September. Because the road climbs above 10,000 feet, fall arrives earlier here than it does in the Salt Lake Valley.

Good to know: Mirror Lake Highway is seasonal, so check conditions before heading up.

5. Logan Canyon + Tony Grove Lake

For a northern Utah option, drive Logan Canyon on Highway 89 and make the side trip up to Tony Grove Lake.

The drive combines limestone cliffs, colorful canyon walls and high-elevation aspens.

Once you reach Tony Grove, there is a roughly 1.3-mile nature trail around the lake, making it a manageable family walk with a pretty impressive payoff.

Best timing: Mid-September through early October.

Good to know: Tony Grove is a fee area, and access at this elevation is seasonal.

6. Cedar Breaks + Highway 143

Southern Utah deserves a spot on the list too.

Drive from Cedar City toward Cedar Breaks National Monument, Brian Head and Highway 143. The combination of bright yellow aspens and red rock around Cedar Breaks almost looks fake.

Cedar Breaks sits above 10,000 feet, so you can get huge views without committing to a major hike.

Continue toward Panguitch Lake and Duck Creek for more easy family stops and picnic opportunities.

Best timing: Usually mid-September through early October near Cedar Breaks, with color appearing somewhat later at lower elevations.

Good to know: Check the weather before leaving. High-elevation conditions can change quickly. State Route 148 is seasonal, although it is currently open as of September 2026.

Our Favorite Fall Drives From Salt Lake City

If you only have time for one family-friendly fall outing in Utah, our top three from Salt Lake City would be:

1. Big Cottonwood Canyon + Silver Lake + Guardsman Pass
2. Alpine Loop + Cascade Springs
3. Nebo Loop + Grotto Trail

All three give you a lot of fall-color payoff without turning Saturday into an endurance event.

When Is the Best Time to See Fall Colors in Utah?

Utah’s fall colors generally begin at higher elevations in September and gradually move into lower elevations.

However, peak color can shift by a week or two depending on elevation, temperatures and storms.

Before heading into the mountains, check current weather and UDOT seasonal road conditions. Several of these routes including: Guardsman Pass, Alpine Loop, Mirror Lake Highway and Cedar Breaks, close seasonally.

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