• -A / A / +A
• 
• 

UVCVB Home » Fall Colors

Utah Valley Fall Colors & Scenic Drives

Fall Colors - Mid September through Mid October

 
Current updates: call the National Forest autumn leaf hot line at 1-800-354-4595, select option #4 for the "Intermountain States", listen for updates regarding the "Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest" and "Provo area".

Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway

The Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway offers breathtaking views of the Wasatch Range and 11,877-foot Mt. Nebo, its tallest mountain. On your drive you will see flat, high-alpine conifers, red rock formations, gray sandstone cliffs and salt flats all in the same day's drive. Devil's Kitchen, Walker Flat and Mt. Nebo Wilderness are some of the sights. Length is 37 miles and an hour to drive one-way. There are no fees to drive through.

Accessibility: Directions from Salt Lake City: Take Interstate 15 south toward Provo. Continue south past Provo until you reach Payson Exit 250. (1st Payson Exit). Exit and turn left onto Payson Main Street (State Route 77). Travel south until Main Street intersects with 100 North (State Route 198). Turn left and travel east to 600 East, then turn right on 600 East. Continue south to the entrance of Payson Canyon and the beginning of the National Scenic Byway. (The Nebo Loop ends in Nephi and can also be accessed from I-15).
Driving time: The 32-mile Byway takes about one and one-half hours to complete. Heavy snow closes the road in winter.

Alpine Loop Scenic Backway

On your drive be sure to visit Tibble Fork Resevoir, a peaceful fishing spot that offers a beautiful view of the area. Cascade Springs is also a favorite natural wonder that features large springs cascading down the mountain slope in a series of limestone terraces and pools. Fish can often be seen up close in the clear mountain springs on the easy 1/2 mile paved trail.

Lush vegetation characterizes thie Alpine Loop. At the summit of American Fork Canyon, vistas of Mt. Timpanogos are visible through impressive aspen groves. Campgrounds and picnic areas are numerous. This Loop also provides access to Timpanogos Cave National Monument and Sundance Resort. Trails along the byway lead from the road into the Mt. Timpanogos and Lone Peak Wilderness Areas.

Accessibility: The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest's 24 mile long Alpine Scenic Loop can be accessed two ways.
Driving Time: plan at least 1 hour for the drive, closed in winter due to snow

Option 1: from I-15 (Alpine / Highland)

From Salt Lake City: Take Interstate 15 south (just after the point of the mountain) to Exit 284 (Highland/Alpine) and travel straight East, this will take you directly into the American Fork Canyon/Alpine Loop.

The drive from the mouth of American Fork Canyon on SR-92 starts at 5,000 feet and follows the canyon to its crest at 8,000 feet. From the summit, the road then winds down toward Provo Canyon and US-189.

Option 2: from Provo Canyon (US-189)

From I-15 take exit (272) 800 North Orem and head directly east to Provo Canyon. From downtown Provo Take University Ave and travel North to Provo Canyon. Approximately 12 miles from the mouth of the canyon make a left turn shortly after you go through the tunnel, on HWY 92, which will take you also to Sundance Resort. (Park City Access - travel by way of Heber City to Highway 92 heading toward Provo)

Provo Canyon Scenic Byway