Sept or Oct 2012 for fall foliage drive in Utah
 

We are planning a trip to Utah to see the fall foliage and canyons etc. when would be the best for Northern Utah and Southern. Also any must see things. This is our 1st trip to Utah so we want to see the prettiest scenry and canyons.
Thanks
Mary Ann

Late Sept to third week in Oct are typically the most colorful. It looks like a bad fire season so check out http://www.utahfireinfo.gov/ before you go.

Two central Utah paved road mountain loops I would suggest are Nebo Loop and Alpine Loop at American Fork canyon which passes Redford's famous Sundance Ski Resort. You could stop and hike to Timpanogas Caves on the latter.

http://byways.org/explore/byways/2012/travel.html
http://www.utah.com/byways/alpine_loop.htm

For Southern Utah, our favorite scenic byway is Highway 12. Unbelievably varied and beautiful! (The short hike to Calf Creek Falls is worth the effort.) It basically goes from Bryce Canyon NP to Capitol Reef NP and is one of a handful of scenic byways in the US that are given the special designation of "All American Road", a cut above Scenic Byway.

http://www.utah.com/byways/highway_12.htm

You can also try highway 143 from Parowan to Panguitch or alternately from Cedar City to Panguitch. Beautiful high country.
http://www.utah.com/byways/brian_head.htm

The above are paved highways suitable for all vehicles. If you don't mind gravel roads, the options open up exponentially.

One caution, the second major religion in Utah is the deer hunt. The general (main) season is from Oct 20-28. There will be many hunters in most mountain areas and I would avoid being out in the wild. Highways will probably be safe but crowded.

I would recommend a visit to Moab. Lots of things to do and the Arches National Park is beautiful in October. Another favorite spot is Zion National Park, lots of trails for hiking and the foliage will be beautiful in OCtober.

This year has been so dry, any trees that don't burn will turn earlier than usual. In fact, I would skip this year if I were you--if your main focus was trees and color.

Toucan,

I live in Utah too, and I agree with StantonHyde. Our state is SO dry the native plants in my yard at 6800 ft. altitude are dying before my eyes. And I do water them!

Every day we are having multiple fires break out and burn thousands of acres.

I really would skip this year and come out another time in the future. Even if the trees turn color, you might not be able to see the mountains for the smoke. Unfortunately, I am not exaggerating.

Thanks to all. we think we will stay in the southern and go to Zion and do the Zion Narrows, Bryce Canyon, and some things there, then maybe on over to Grand Canyon. Any thoughts as to if we should still wait till next year.

I always say go for it - and return next year if you love it. Love Zion and Bryce - and I definitely think it's worth getting to the Grand Canyon - south rim for first timers - and if you have the time - go about two and a half hours east to the incredible Monument Valley - and just before you get there (20 miles before Kayenta, AZ) - turn off to the Navajo National Monument where you can easily get to see some Cliff Dwellings.

The smoke in the air from all the western fires has been really bad the last few days. Fires in OR, WY, MT, ID, CA,AZ NV and UT. Today you could not even see the mountains across the SL valley.

The news tonight showed Moab to be just as bad! Can't say what Zion is like, but Bryce definitely won't have it's 100 mi. views in these conditions.

The weather people say a major change is coming by the end of next week. Everyone is praying for rain to wash the smoke out of the sky. We want our beautiful blue skies back - and rain for all the ranchers!

If you do come this year, wait until fall - Zion is beautiful in the fall - end of Oct, early Nov. But again, the leaves are turning early due to extreme dry conditions.

Another year would be much better if it's fall colors you want to see....