Fall colors 2024 map: When and where to see Utah's best foliage
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The fall foliage outlook for the week of Oct. 7. Image: Courtesy of SmokyMountains.com
With a warm fall expected, Utah could see a spectacular display of color in the mountains.
The forecast: Leaves in the Wasatch Mountains will begin to turn in mid- September and start to get photo-worthy by the fourth week of the month.
- The show really fires up during the last weekend of September and will likely peak during the first weekend of October, according to the popular fall leaf map from SmokyMountains.com.
- Southern Utah's mountains are about a week behind the Wasatch, so plan your trip to the Pando aspen grove — the world's most massive living thing — or the famous LaSals for mid-October.
What's inside: The website analyzes past weather reports, tree species and other data to predict when leaves at a given site will respond to fall's cooler, shorter days.
Reality check: Weather can change abruptly, and storms can rip down the decorations just as the party begins.
The big picture: Utah has enjoyed two wet years in a row, and a rainy spring helps trees stay healthy through the hot, dry summer.
- Drought-stressed trees shed their leaves more rapidly.
Zoom in: Utah stayed wetter than usual until midsummer, and rains picked up again with monsoon season's arrival last month.
Where to go: Check out these drives and hikes for outstanding views of Utah's foliage.
Timing tips: I tried to chase the ultimate "peak" color for years. Then I realized that after late September, it's most important just to get there before the leaves turn brown or blow away.
- Elevation affects both the temperature and the species of trees you'll find, and the difference can be counterintuitive. I've seen amazing foothill maples in September and higher aspens turn traffic-cone orange in October.
- If you're scheduling a portrait, it's more important to find a few vibrant trees than to predict the very best moment across the whole state.
- Traffic can be bonkers during peak weekends on beloved routes like Guardsman Pass and the Alpine & Nebo loops. Just remember, perfect timing matters less than exploring multiple places in late September and early October.
What's next: The U.S. Climate Prediction Center's three-month outlook projects above-normal fall temperatures throughout Utah, and below-normal precipitation.
The bottom line: Warm, sunny days and cool nights tend to produce the brightest fall colors — so Utah is likely to see an amazing year.
