Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
The first breeze of the brisk air after a long summer always brings a sense of comfort and excitement. The kids are back in school, the immaculate sweater collection has been moved to the front of the closet, and the frappuccino is ready for pickup.
While fall is just starting in the valleys, in mountain locations throughout Utah, explosions of color are cascading over the hillsides.
For the outdoorsy and budget-conscious Utahn, leaf-peeping is the perfect seasonal activity.
And while foliage across the entire beehive state is spectacular, Utah Valley offers opportunities that will help your #fallingforfall posts generate even more likes than usual. You won't even need to get your Uggs dirty.
Here are some of the top fall scenic drives in Utah Valley.
Alpine Loop
Despite frequently being referred to as a scenic byway, the Alpine Loop isn't officially designated as one, possibly due to its proximity to the Provo River Scenic Byway. (It's the same reason Snow Canyon is just a state park. Thanks a lot, Zion.) Instead, it is one of 58 Utah scenic backways.
The 20-mile Alpine Loop is one of the most renowned Utah scenic drives in the fall. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of yellow, orange, and red hues — the golden leaves of the aspens are especially striking, combined with the resilient greenery of evergreen trees.
If you're going in a clockwise direction, you'll start at the base of American Fork Canyon and follow the canyon until the South Fork, at which point you'll turn right. You'll then enter a winding section that will take you all the way to Provo River Scenic Byway (or Provo Canyon). From there, you can head back to the valley by turning west onto the byway. Or, you can double your fun and drive the Alpine Loop going the other direction.
Other highlights along the route include:
- Cascade Springs.
- Sundance Resort.
- The iconic Timpanogos Cave National Monument.
Provo River Scenic Byway
Linking the Utah and Heber valleys through Provo Canyon, the Provo River Scenic Byway also provides access to the Alpine Loop. The autumn foliage and views are comparably awe-inspiring.
The byway is home to several memorable and Instagrammable stops, including:
- Bridal Veil Falls, an easily accessible waterfall that needs no introduction.
- The Provo River Parkway, for walks and rides on pavement.
- Vivian Park, for when the kids need to get some wiggles out on a playground, but you're not done admiring changing leaves yet.
Kyhv Peak Road
Once named Squaw Peak, Kyhv Peak is located two miles up the Provo River Scenic Byway at a turnoff onto Kyhv Peak Road, a scenic drive well worth the detour for several reasons. You'll enjoy more of Provo Canyon, which never gets boring. The first five miles are winding and the views are just as photogenic. Take the fork to the Kyhv Peak Lookout Point for a panoramic view of the valley and Utah Lake.
Once back on the main road, drive past the overlook where things get (even more) interesting. The surface transitions from paved to dirt, which creates added difficulty, but also reduces crowds. If you've got a 4x4 vehicle and/or lots of bravery — you're in luck. Ride the 20-plus miles all the way to Hobble Creek Canyon and you'll be rewarded with little to no crowds, epic views and potential wildlife sightings.
Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway
The Nebo Loop has a national scenic byway designation, and for good reason. With stunning vistas of the Utah and Nephi valleys, the loop provides access to the tallest peak in the Wasatch Range — the 11,928-foot Mount Nebo. The byway can be accessed from Payson or Nephi. It is 38 miles long (one-way) and takes roughly an hour and a half to drive, if you take your time and pull off to really take in the views along the way (which you should).
If the red tones of the changing leaves just aren't red enough for you, pull off at Devils Kitchen, a geological site full of red rock and hoodoos that will make you wonder for a second if you accidentally drove an extra three hours to Bryce Canyon.
