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READY FOR A FALL DRIVE? Scenic Fall Drives in Northern Utah to add to your Fall Bucket List
October 7, 2026
READY FOR A FALL DRIVE?
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Scenic Fall Drives in Northern Utah to Add to Your Fall Bucket List
There’s something special about fall in Northern Utah. The mornings get cooler, the mountains turn brilliant shades of red, orange and gold, and some of our favorite familiar roads suddenly become destinations of their own.
One of the best ways to enjoy it is also one of the simplest: take a drive.
Whether you’re planning a family afternoon, a fall date, a photography trip, or just looking for an excuse to get into the mountains, Northern Utah has some incredible scenic drives right in our backyard.
At Nilson Homes, we love celebrating the places and experiences that make living in Northern Utah special. Here are a few of our favorite fall drives to add to your bucket list.
1. OGDEN VALLEY & CANYON LOOP
If you’re looking for a fall drive close to home, this one is hard to beat.
Start in Ogden and make your way over North Ogden Divide into Liberty and Eden, where mountain views open up across Ogden Valley. From there, continue toward North Fork Park, loop around Pineview Reservoir, stop in Huntsville, and finish by following S.R. 39 through Ogden Canyon back into town.
Visit Ogden's complete fall route is about 49 miles and roughly 1½ hours of driving before adding stops along the way. Visit Ogden
DON’T MISS: North Ogden Divide, North Fork Park, Pineview Reservoir, Huntsville and the Ogden River through Ogden Canyon.
EXPLORE VISIT OGDEN’S FALL ROAD TRIP
2. LOGAN CANYON SCENIC BYWAY — U.S. 89
For a longer adventure, head north to Logan and follow U.S. 89 through Logan Canyon toward Bear Lake.
The 41-mile scenic byway follows the Logan River through limestone cliffs, forests and mountain meadows before climbing to approximately 7,800 feet and offering spectacular views toward Bear Lake. In the fall, the canyon becomes a mix of golden aspens, red maples and deep-green evergreens. Visit Utah
Make a few stops along the way at Tony Grove, Rick’s Spring, Wind Cave or the Bear Lake Overlook.
DON’T MISS: The view from the top before descending toward Garden City and Bear Lake.
Explore Utah’s Fall Scenic Byways
3. SARDINE CANYON
Sometimes called the gateway to Cache Valley, Sardine Canyon along U.S. 89/91 is an easy fall drive with plenty of scenery.
Begin around Brigham City and head toward Logan. The roughly 25-mile drive winds through the mountains before opening into Cache Valley, providing a mix of colorful hillsides, rocky canyon walls and broad valley views. Utah Golf
Want to make a full day of it? Continue through Logan and head directly into Logan Canyon Scenic Byway for an even longer fall-color road trip.
DON’T MISS: The views as you descend toward Wellsville and Cache Valley.
4. NORTH FORK PARK TO OLD SNOWBASIN ROAD & ART NORD TRAILHEAD
Looking for something a little quieter?
Start at North Fork Park, return through Liberty toward Eden, circle around Pineview Reservoir and continue through Huntsville before turning onto Old Snowbasin Road.
The road climbs back into the mountains and eventually reaches the area near the Art Nord Trailhead. Visit Ogden recommends walking about a mile south along the trail for some of the area's best views. Visit Ogden
This is a great option when you want to combine a relaxing drive with a short walk through the fall colors.
DON’T MISS: North Fork Park's mountain setting and the colorful wooded stretches along Old Snowbasin Road.
READY TO EXPLORE A LITTLE FARTHER?Northern Utah has plenty to keep us busy, but there are some incredible fall drives farther south along the Wasatch Front that deserve a spot on your list too.
BIG MOUNTAIN PASS
Follow S.R. 65 toward East Canyon and Big Mountain Pass for wide-open mountain views and plenty of fall color. The road climbs through oak, maple and aspen-covered hills before reaching the overlook at Big Mountain Pass.
It’s also an area rich in Utah history, following part of the route used by early pioneers crossing the Wasatch Mountains.
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON
Follow S.R. 190 up Big Cottonwood Canyon toward Solitude and Brighton for one of the Salt Lake area's classic fall drives.
The canyon offers a combination of red and orange maples at lower elevations and large stands of golden aspens as you climb higher into the mountains.
VISIT UTAH
BONUS: Continue toward Guardsman Pass while conditions allow.
LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON
Just south of Big Cottonwood, S.R. 210 through Little Cottonwood Canyon takes you toward Snowbird and Alta.
Its steep granite walls create a very different feel from neighboring Big Cottonwood, but the mix of evergreens, aspens and fall color makes the canyon equally impressive. The designated scenic byway runs approximately eight miles from the canyon mouth. Visit Utah
GUARDSMAN PASS
If you want big mountain views, put this one near the top of your list.
Access Guardsman Pass from Big Cottonwood Canyon or the Park City side and climb to nearly 9,700 feet. In fall, the high-elevation aspen forests become a sea of gold.
From the pass, you can continue toward Park City or drop toward Midway and Wasatch Mountain State Park. Guardsman Pass is seasonal and typically closes during the winter months. Visit Utah
ALPINE LOOP SCENIC BYWAY
The Alpine Loop — S.R. 92 is one of Utah's most famous fall drives for good reason.
This approximately 20-mile mountain road connects American Fork Canyon with the Provo Canyon area while winding beneath Mount Timpanogos through forests of brilliant yellow aspens and colorful maples. Utah Valley
Add stops at Cascade Springs, Timpanogos Cave, Tibble Fork Reservoir or Sundance and it can easily become a full-day adventure.
PROVO CANYON
Follow U.S. 189 through Provo Canyon toward Heber for dramatic mountain scenery mixed with some great fall color.
One of the easiest stops is Bridal Veil Falls, but you'll also find access to the Provo River Parkway, Sundance and several other scenic side roads. Visit Utah
SUNDANCE
Turn off Provo Canyon toward Sundance and Mount Timpanogos for one of Utah County's classic fall settings.
The combination of mountain peaks, aspens and dense forest makes the Sundance area especially beautiful during fall—and it also connects naturally with the Alpine Loop if you want to keep exploring. Utah Valley
KYHV PEAK ROAD
Formerly known as Squaw Peak Road, Kyhv Peak Road turns off U.S. 189 just a few miles into Provo Canyon.
The paved road climbs quickly through a series of switchbacks with views overlooking Provo, Utah Lake and Utah Valley. During fall, the surrounding maples turn deep red while higher-elevation aspens add splashes of gold.
The road eventually reaches Kyhv Peak Overlook at roughly 6,700 feet. Seasonal gates typically limit access during the winter. Utah Valley
SOUTH FORK ROAD
Here's one that can easily be missed.
Near Vivian Park in Provo Canyon, turn onto South Fork Road and follow it into the mountains for a quieter fall drive away from the main canyon traffic.
The road follows the South Fork of the Provo River for several miles through trees, parks and mountain scenery—and becomes particularly colorful during autumn. Utah Valley
It’s a great addition to a day spent exploring Provo Canyon or Sundance.
MAKE SOME FALL MEMORIESFall doesn't last nearly long enough in Utah, so take advantage of it while you can.
Pack some snacks, grab a warm drink, load up the family or a few friends, and spend an afternoon exploring. You don't have to travel far to find mountain roads covered in color, beautiful overlooks and places worth stopping to enjoy.
And because Utah's fall colors change first at higher elevations before gradually moving down the mountains, there's often something new to see throughout the season. Visit Utah
Before heading into the mountains, remember that weather and road conditions can change quickly, particularly on high-elevation roads. Some routes are seasonal, so check current conditions before you leave.
At Nilson Homes, we believe a great community is about more than the homes within it. It's about having places to explore, traditions to enjoy and opportunities to spend time together.
We're proud to call Northern Utah home—and to build communities surrounded by so many of the things that make living here special. Nilson Homes ->
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