Spectacular Fall Colors in Utah Near Zion – When & Where to See Autumn Foliage

When you think of fall colors in Utah, the northern region near Salt Lake City might come to mind first with its mountains and cooler temps. However, while most people don’t think of southern Utah for fall colors, the desert definitely holds special fall magic with the background of the red rocks. As a photographer in Zion + Southern Utah, fall is an absolute dream!

One of my very favorite things about fall in the desert is seeing the rabbitbrush everywhere bloom with yellow flowers. This late-blooming plant brings beautiful color to the landscape of sandstone.

The Best Time to See Fall Colors in Southern Utah

The exact peak of fall colors in Utah varies slightly each year, depending on what the weather has been like that season. But I just love that you can find fall color in southern Utah starting at the end of September and going all the way to the middle and even end of November!

The 10 Best Spots to See Fall Colors in Utah Near Zion

Here are my favorite spots to find the fall colors in Utah in and around Zion:

Kolob Terrace
Kodachrome Basin
Brian Head
Duck Creek
Pine Valley
Kolob Canyons
Kanab Area
East Zion
Zion Canyon
Red Cliffs National Reserve

The fall foliage at each of these places peak at different times, so you can see fall colors in Utah throughout the season whenever you’re exploring southern Utah.

1. Kolob Terrace

Lambs Knoll in Kolob Terrace is one of my favorite hidden gems with great views any time of year, but it is especially gorgeous in the fall. The vibrant colors of the foliage really add to the beauty of the area, and you’ll even see some bright oranges here which is unique for southern Utah.

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You can also head all the way up the road to Kolob Reservoir to see even more amazing fall color.

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

The last week of September is typically best for catching fall colors in Kolob Canyon and the color typically lasts about 2 weeks.

2. Kodachrome Basin

Kodachrome Basin State Park makes for a fantastic day trip from Zion. The park is filled with spires of multicolored sandstone, the stunning colors of which led the area to be named after the Kodak color film. In the fall, beautiful yellow flowers adorn the already vivid landscape.

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

The yellow flowers usually peak during mid-September in Kodachrome Basin.

3. Brian Head

Although it might be best known for its ski resort, Brian Head is a year-round destination, and the fall colors are absolutely breathtaking. The groves of aspen in Brian Head turn gold and stand out against the evergreens and bristlecone pines. You can take a chairlift ride up the mountainside to see the fall colors in Utah from a bird's-eye perspective or take a hike through Cedar Breaks National Monument to see the colors up close.

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

Since Brian Head is at a higher elevation, you can usually find the best fall colors here the last week of September.

4. Duck Creek

I love Duck Creek Village and know it well, and its location in Dixie National Forest makes it an absolutely stunning location to see fall colors in Utah. You can get your fill of the foliage in the village and on nearby hikes, or you can take a scenic drive along the Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway to see a breathtaking variety of colors.

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

Duck Creek is also at higher elevation so fall colors are best the last week of September.

5. Pine Valley

Pine Valley is also in Dixie National Forest, and here you’ll find golden aspens and other beautiful fall foliage ringing a lovely reservoir with a backdrop of mountain peaks. Savor the fall colors while you fish on the reservoir or hike one of the trails through the valley.

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

The changing leaves in Pine Valley are usually peaking around the first week of October.

6. Kolob Canyons

Kolob Canyons is a separate area of Zion National Park, north of the main entrance in Springdale, and you’ll probably find fall colors here slightly earlier in the fall than the rest of Zion. Kolob Canyons Scenic Drive is an absolute must-do in autumn to see the fall foliage in full force in this stunning landscape of sandstone rock formations.

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

Fall colors come to this section of Zion around the second week of October.

7. Kanab Area

I highly recommend visiting Kanab when you’re in southern Utah, and this charming town is especially great in the fall with perfect temps and colorful foliage amid the desert sandstone. The drive from Orderville on the east side of Zion to Kanab is especially stunning this time of year.

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

The rabbit brush starts to turn yellow around the beginning of October and around the end of October is typically the best time to see the fall leaves showcased in Kanab.

8. East Zion

The east side of ZIon National Park is at a higher elevation than the main canyon area of the park, so the leaves change here just a little bit sooner. My favorite thing to do here in the fall is to meander along Clear Creek to see all the beautiful fall colors.

***CLEAR CREEK FALL PHOTO SHOOT

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

Head to East Zion during the last week of October/first week of November for the highest chance of peak fall foliage.

***TEMPLE OF SINAWAVA ZION ELOPEMENT PHOTO SHOOT

9. Zion Canyon

Of course, you can’t leave the central area of Zion National Park off this list of fall colors in Utah! The colors here come not just from the changing leaves, but also from the rabbitbrush blooming with fall flowers

One of my favorite Zion hikes in the fall is the Pa’Rus Traill right at the entrance to the park. Along the Pa’Rus Trail, you’ll encounter a ton of rabbitbrush that starts turning yellow at the beginning of October, and then changes to a creamy light tan color by the end of the month. It is so stunning!!!

***FALL FAMILY PHOTO SESSIONS AT THE PA'RUS TRAIL

BEST TIME TO SEE THE FALL COLORS

The fall colors in Zion National Park typically start appearing around the first week of October when all the yellow flowers bloom. Around the first week of November, the leaves on the trees start turning yellow.

10. Red Cliffs National Reserve

Red Reef Trail in the fall is spectacular because of all the cottonwood trees that turn yellow. It's also a great one to do late in the season. This is a hike that I take nearly everyone who visits Southern Utah on. This 3 mile hike is fun with or without kids. It boasts stunning red rock formations, arches, petroglyphs, a creek to play in, and a tree stump that looks like an elephant.

Red Cliffs National Reserve is part of the Bureau of Land Management and charges a small $5 day-use fee for access. You can also use your National Parks Pass for entrance.