🍂 Starting in Provo (North to South)

4 Days | Provo → Cedar City | Peak Colors: Late September–Mid October

From golden aspens to crimson cliffs, Utah’s fall colors are best seen on the road. This four-day road trip packs in all six of Utah Valley’s scenic drives — Alpine Loop, Kyhv Peak Road, Provo Canyon, Hobble Creek Canyon, Spanish Fork Canyon, and Nebo Loop — before taking you south to Cedar City’s high-elevation wonders at Cedar Breaks, Brian Head, and Yankee Meadows.

Every day is planned step by step with scenic stops, meals, and bonus experiences.

*If flying in, consider using Provo Airport for closer access 

Day 1 — Alpine Glow + Valley Views (Provo)

Scenic drives today: Alpine Loop + Kyhv Peak Road
Overnight: Provo or Sundance

7:30 am — Breakfast at the Foundry Grill, Sundance Resort
Location: 8841 N Alpine Loop Rd, Sundance
Opens at 7:30. Fuel up with hearty mountain fare like pancakes, omelets, or their famous cinnamon rolls in a rustic alpine lodge setting.

9:00 am — Drive the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway (20 miles)

• Enter through American Fork Canyon, weaving beneath Mount Timpanogos.

• Must-stops: Cascade Springs boardwalk, Sundance village stroll, and (if time) Timpanogos Cave before it closes for the season.

• Hike option: Stewart Falls (~2.5 hours, moderate).

12:00 pm — Brunch or Lunch at Block, Provo (opens at 10)
Location: 3330 N University Ave
Local hotspot with French toast, biscuits & gravy, and creative brunch plates.

2:00 pm — Provo Canyon Scenic Stop
Pull over at Bridal Veil Falls or stroll a stretch of the Provo River Parkway Trail.

4:00 pm — Kyhv Peak Road Lookout (sunset stop)
Wind up to panoramic views of Utah Valley. Watch the mountains glow orange as the city lights flicker on.

6:30 pm — Dinner in Downtown Provo

• Communal (farm-to-table)

• Black Sheep Café (modern Navajo fusion)

8:00 pm — Sweet Finish
Grab drinking chocolate at Taste or ice cream at Rockwell.

Day 2 — Waterfalls, Hot Springs + Spanish Fork Canyon

Scenic drives today: Hobble Creek Canyon → Spanish Fork Canyon
Overnight: Provo or Orem

8:00 am — Breakfast at Sidecar Café, Springville
Location: 1715 W 500 S
Motorcycle-themed diner inside Legends Motor Co. Try the Dutch Baby pancake or a country skillet. Afterwards, pop into the Legends Motorcycle Museum for classic bikes and cars.

10:00 am — Spanish Fork Canyon Scenic Drive
Start your drive south.

10:45 am — Hike to Fifth Water Hot Springs
Trailhead: Diamond Fork Rd.

• Distance: 4.5 miles RT (about 2–3 hours with soak time).

• Reward: Milky-blue natural pools and a waterfall tucked in red rock and forest.

• Parking: $10 per vehicle.

2:00 pm — Late Lunch

• Strap Tank Brewery (Springville, family-friendly with hearty food)

• Or grab quick eats in Spanish Fork.

3:30 pm — Optional Hobble Creek Canyon Detour
Peaceful drive east of Springville. Great for fewer crowds, with picnic stops at Jolley’s Ranch.

6:45 pm — Dinner in Spanish Fork or Springville

• Check out our Full List of Restaurants Here

8:15 pm — Evening Treat
Get a late-night soda at one of Utah's Famous Soda Shops.

Day 3 — Nebo Loop + South to Cedar City

Scenic drive today: Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway
Overnight: Cedar City

8:00 am — Breakfast at Joe’s Café, Orem
Location: 1126 S State St
Local favorite for giant omelets, French toast, and southern-style grits. Opens at 8.

9:00 am — Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway (37 miles)

• Payson Lakes: Glassy reflections of gold and red foliage.

• Devil’s Kitchen: Mini Bryce Canyon with fiery hoodoos.

• Pullouts: Endless photo stops of Mount Nebo framed in fall color.

1:00 pm — Drive South to Cedar City (3.5 hrs)
Break in Beaver at The Creamery — squeaky cheese curds, sandwiches, and ice cream.

4:45 pm — Check In Cedar City or Brian Head

6:15 pm — Dinner in Cedar City

• Pork Belly’s Eatery (BBQ + southern plates)

• Hermie’s Drive In (retro diner with burgers & shakes).

7:30 pm — Evening Walk Downtown
Stroll Center Street’s murals, bookstores, and shops.

Day 4 — Cedar Canyon + Cedar Breaks Finale

Scenic drives today: Cedar Canyon → Cedar Breaks → Brian Head → Yankee Meadows → Parowan Gap
Overnight: Cedar City or return drive north

8:00 am — Breakfast in Cedar City
Try The Pastry Pub or Grind Coffee House.

9:00 am — Cedar Canyon Scenic Drive (SR-14)
Stop at Wood’s Ranch for trails and ponds, then climb toward the overlook with sweeping views toward Zion.

10:30 am — Cedar Breaks National Monument

• Point Supreme Overlook: Fiery amphitheater of red rock.

• Alpine Pond Trail: 2-mile family-friendly loop through bristlecone pine and meadows.

12:30 pm — Lunch in Brian Head Village
Relax at a ski-style café before continuing the loop.

2:00 pm — Yankee Meadows Reservoir
Hidden gem with vibrant reflections of orange aspens on the water.

3:30 pm — Parowan Gap Petroglyphs
Ancient rock carvings that glow in the late-day sun.

5:00 pm — Famous Cinnamon Roll Stop
Grab one at the Southern Country Chevron in Parowan — a local legend.

6:30 pm — Dinner Finale

• Bowman’s Cowboy Kitchen (Dutch oven meals)

• Or back in Cedar City for something casual.

Evening: Head north toward Provo (3.5 hrs) or spend one more night in Cedar City.

✅ Roadtrip Checklist & Map

• Alpine Loop Scenic Byway

• Kyhv Peak Road

• Provo Canyon

• Hobble Creek Canyon

• Spanish Fork Canyon (+ Fifth Water Hot Springs)

• Nebo Loop Scenic Byway

• Cedar Canyon  

• Cedar Breaks

• Brian Head

• Yankee Meadows

• Parowan Gap

✨ This is a step-by-step autumn adventure, packed with scenic drives, fall hikes, cozy cafés, and family-friendly stops. With colors peaking from late September to mid-October, it’s the perfect way to chase fall across Utah’s mountains and canyons.