Capitol Reef has good colors along the river. I am totally guessing but I think the second week of October is going to be to early for Zion and Cap Reef. I'm thinking more Bryce for higher elevations. I think the third week would be more for Zion and Capitol Reef. Again, varies by season, but I have been there twice on about the 20th and it has been at peak.

Timpanogs Cave, closer to Salt Lake is outstanding along the route to it and at the cave itself. I'm not sure what that canyon area is called though.

I hiked the Great Gallery/Horseshoe Canyon and it had nice colors in it that third week in Oct. It is in the detached section of Canyonlands, not far from Goblin Valley. The road to it is dirt and a bit rough.

I haven't hiked Calf Creek Falls in fall, but I suspect it would be outstanding.

Generally anywhere there is a river like Cap Reef, Zion, or Calf Creek Falls you have trees that are going to be nice.

kwick,

The colors aren't really happening in the canyon until towards the end of October. Aspens at higher altitudes normally peak the first week in Oct. The problem this year is the extreme fire situation. Our news reported tonight that 150,000 acres in Utah have burned this week, so who knows how the forests will be come October. It's very sad.

Still, Oct is a great time to visit Zion. The shuttle buses still run until the end of Oct. - that's a good thing! makes your visit much more enjoyable the helps maintain the serenity of the canyon.

With 7 days, you should also visit Bryce and perhaps drive Hwy 12 to Escalante and Capitol Reef, then back to LV.

Read some other threads and trip reports here.

Happy planning

Get thee to Zion and then from there - travel further.

Loved Bryce and also Escalante/Capitol Reef, etc.

see: http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/sw-scenic-whirl-zionbrycecapitol-reefmvgcsedona.cfm

My wife tell me we were there between the 20th and 25th both(our anvs. is the 21st, so that is what I was going by) visits in the fall- so maybe more towards the last of the month- as Dayle says. Also as Dayle says, higher elevations first- so start out in Bryce or Cedar Breaks. I still think that even with the drought there should be good fall colors where there is a river. I did read someone's post that thought Calf Creek might be a trickle by the end of this year though.

You mentioned wildlife, there is some in Utah, but not nearly as much as other National Parks. Utah is a great place to visit, I never thought you could enjoy looking at rocks so much. I've been 5 years in a row now.

LOL Spiro. What else does your wife tell U?

And I saw a Bear flat out hauling arse on the way to Bryce - from Zion - and growin up camping/hunting in Oregon - never saw one in the wild. Also - Antelope at Bryce.

Thanks everyone! It sure gives me a lot to consider. Tomsd, I really enjoyed your trip report. Can't wait to explore Utah!

You've picked a great time to visit. The length of your visit makes it perfect for Route 12 Scenic Byway out and back. Zion, Bryce, Escalante, Boulder, Torrey (Capital Reef) and back to Zion for a night. Lots to see out that way. You can use our trip report for ideas.

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr

We used 9 days but you could do much of it in 7 days. I like this trip becuase none of the driving distances are great but you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Thanks Kwick: Hope you have as goodof a time as we did.

BTW - Peterboy: What a great trip report - with pics. Still making my way through it and have bookmarked it 4 sure.

Thanks.