Prepare to Be Wowed by Utah’s Fall Color Loop
Golden aspens, ancient petroglyphs, and Gothic theater in red rock country.
Southwestern Utah’s aptly named Fall Color Loop packs a picturesque punch, combining three scenic byways and a spectacular red rock canyon emblazoned with jewel-toned foliage. This extended version, perfect for a long weekend sojourn in September or October, adds dinosaur fossils, performing arts, hidden waterfalls, and a quiet corner of an epic national park.
1. Red Rocks and Dinos
Begin your trip in St. George, where the sedimentary rocks that make southern Utah scenic also preserve dinosaur fossils. At the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site, stride alongside Dilophosaurus and Megapnosaurus footsteps and see life-size re-creations of the toothy reptiles from 200 million years ago. Then, see a Broadway hit or watch vampires and zombies leap and twirl during a Halloween-themed dance revue at Tuacahn Amphitheatre, an outdoor stage ringed by sienna sandstone cliffs. At Xetava in the Kayenta Art Village, tuck into cauliflower tacos while gazing at rust-colored mountains.
2. Serene National Park
About 30 miles northeast of St. George at I-15’s exit 40, a scenic 5-mile drive weaves through a lesser-visited pocket of Zion National Park. Don’t miss Kolob Canyons—vermilion monoliths that jut like a giant hand into a forested gorge ribboned with seasonal color. Stop to ramble the 5-mile Taylor Creek Trail amid amber cottonwoods, orange oaks, and crimson maples, or walk the mile-long Timber Creek Overlook Trail to canyon views.
3. Secret Waterfalls
About 7 miles north, go on a slot canyon adventure at Kanarra Falls. As you wind your way between sinuous red rock walls, you’ll slosh through an ankle-deep creek, climb over boulders, and ascend a staircase alongside one of the cascades. Only 200 people per day are allowed to hike this 4-mile round-trip route, so purchase a permit in advance. Then, return to I-15 and continue to the outdoorsy cultural hub of Cedar City.
4. Art and Monsters
In Cedar City, peruse the Southern Utah Museum of Art’s 10-year anniversary showcase (through Sept. 26). The exhibit includes local landscapes paired with specially commissioned fragrances for a multisensory experience. Or pop in after Oct. 16 for “Tooveep (The Land),” a celebration of contemporary Native American art. At the Utah Shakespeare Festival (through Oct. 3), get into a Gothic mood with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. For dinner, enjoy a pancetta-and-grape pizza with a red blend from IG Winery at Centro Woodfired Pizzeria.
5. Autumnal Roads
Fuel up in Cedar City at the Grind with a spiced Mexi-mocha and a green chile–speckled breakfast sandwich. To begin the Fall Color Loop, drive east on the Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway (Highway 14). Park at Wood Ranch to mosey around a pond ringed with canary-yellow aspen, then pause at the Zion Overlook for photo ops of Zion Canyon splashed with radiant hues. Next, cruise north on the Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway (Highway 148).
6. Gorgeous Gorge
In a few miles, you’ll reach Cedar Breaks National Monument, a less-crowded sibling of Bryce Canyon National Park with rippling rocks and hoodoos in shades of orange and ivory. Saunter along the 5-mile South Rim Trail for magnificent overlooks of this geologic amphitheater, backdropped with gilded groves. Alternatively, take the 2-mile Alpine Pond Loop Trail through quaking aspens and ancient bristlecone pines to spot marmots by the bottle-green pond.
7. Historic Highway
Head north on Patchwork Parkway (Highway 143). During a blizzard in 1864, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints laid down handmade quilts to traverse the treacherous mountain path without sinking into the deep snow. Today, patches of wildfire damage mingle with scarlet maples and golden aspen that flutter like hopeful flags along the roadside.
8. Ski Town Scenery
In the tiny ski town of Brian Head, glide above a sea of shimmering trees on a chairlift at Brian Head Resort (weekends through Sept. 20). Also on offer: disc golf, a mini zip line, a climbing wall, and Oktoberfest celebrations with live music, Bavarian bratwurst, and local craft beer. Nearby, Prime Adventure Outfitters offers guided or self-guided ATV tours to a waterfall and panoramas of fall color.
9. Settler History
About 13 miles from Brian Head, you’ll roll into Parowan. Latter-day Saints settlers rode their wagons here in 1851, establishing the region’s first permanent colony. At the Parowan Old Rock Church Museum (contact the city to organize a visit), learn how this “Mother Town” birthed southern Utah’s other communities of Latter-day Saints. Then treat yourself to the town’s Sweet Tour and stroll to cinnamon rolls at several locations, including the Parowan Cafe and Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard.
10. Petroglyphs and Pastries
Detour 10 miles to Parowan Gap, where ancient peoples carved 1,500 petroglyphs of animals, swirling patterns, and possibly astronomical calendars into the rocks. Finally, head back to Cedar City and reward yourself at the French Spot with Nutella crepes or raspberry macarons crafted by a pastry chef born in Lyon, France.
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