Now that the temperatures have dipped below 100, it’s the perfect time to venture out to see how nature celebrates the cooler climes — by enjoying the fall leaves southern Utah.
In the earliest parts of fall, the best places to enjoy fall leaves southern Utah are in the higher elevations. Think Pine Valley, Utah, Cedar City, Utah and Enterprise, Utah. But as the calendar clicks closer to the end of the year, some of that color splashes through St. George, Utah and the surrounding areas. So, in a way, fall leaves southern Utah actually last longer, because the appearance is staggered.
Leaf peeping
Despite the somewhat odd-sounding name, leaf peeping is the official way to refer to viewing the color-changing leaves. When it comes to fall leaves southern Utah it’s best to start leaf peeping in September, depending on the year.
According to the Cedar City Fall Color Report, available on www.visitcedarcity.com, the fall leaves southern Utah in this area are past their peak for now. But you can certainly make plans for next year’s viewing.
Areas including Parowan Canyon, Cedar Canyon and Brian Head are among the best spots to see nature’s color collage of fall leaves southern Utah.
Just a short drive
A recent drive from St. George to Cedar City, Utah made for the perfect afternoon to see the fall leaves southern Utah. From I-15, take exit 57 and head down Main Street to University Boulevard (or Center Street) and turn right. If you continue on this road, you’ll start to head up Cedar Canyon.
Depending on the time of year, fall leaves southern Utah are visible as low as town. Earlier in the year, however, it takes a few minutes before the colors appear.
Winding through this beautiful canyon, it’s clear there is much to be enjoyed regardless of the season. Glimpses of the creek through the trees; the promise of a cool woodsy aroma just outside the car window.
Staying on this road will eventually lead to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Early in the fall season this can be an excellent viewing area for the fall leaves southern Utah.
If you don’t wish to go that far, you can stop in at Woods Ranch. Parking near the pavilion there is a little path to walk up to Kids Pond. Quaking aspen trees turning from green to gold surround the path and the pond at the end. If the breeze has been blowing, some of these golden circle leaves may line the path, like a woodsy version of the yellow brick road.
The view from above
If you head back from Woods Ranch toward Cedar City, you can turn up Right Hand Canyon just after Milt’s Stage Stop restaurant. Staying on the paved version of this road as it curves through many of the fall leaves southern Utah, you eventually come to a lookout spot above the “C” trail. The big rock-formed and white-washed letter C above Cedar City, Utah.
This serves as an excellent pausing point on your leaf peeping journey. Not only are there a good possibility of leaf views, but you get a near-bird’s eye view of the town.
Breathtaking. And Beautiful.
When you’re done enjoying this vista, you can continue on. In fact, just around the next curve, some of the most vibrant colors for fall leaves southern Utah at that time appeared as if from nowhere.
Fall leaves southern Utah
While Cedar City and its surrounding mountains offer plenty of fall leaves southern Utah views, you can get some on the other sides of St. George area too.
For example, a trip to Pine Valley brings all the vibrant colors to life, tucked in the valley in the top of a mountain.
Like with the Cedar City viewing regions, there are certain times the fall leaves southern Utah are more plentiful than others. It’s tricky to pinpoint the timing exactly as it changes from year to year.
One of the best ways is to watch as the colors peek out from the green curtain on the mountain. You can watch each day as more and more appear. This will help you time your leaf peeping drive.
Then, wait a few weeks more, and the colors will descend into St. George, Washington City, Ivins, Santa Clara and more.
Would you like to live in a place with such beautiful fall leaves? If so, check out the great listings here.
