Utah Fall Foliage 2026
Utah’s typical statewide peak is September 23, within a September 19–27 window. At 10,000 feet, quaking aspen often peaks around September 16, while valleys near 5,950 feet peak around September 30. The high Wasatch peaks in late September; canyons and Zion typically reach peak color in mid-to-late October.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
When Utah peaks
Sep 19 – Sep 27
Centered on Sep 23. The high Wasatch peaks late September; the canyons and Zion in mid-to-late October.
high confidence. Near typical peak. Check recent reports before traveling.
Where peak usually lands. Drought or an early freeze moves it by a few days. Method
What turns here
- quaking aspen
- bigtooth maple
- gambel oak
- cottonwood
Yellows show up every year. Reds need sunny days and cool, frost-free nights. A bad year takes those first.
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 23Typical color progression for Utah. No change from Aug 16 to Sep 2. First color from Sep 2 to Sep 11. Approaching peak from Sep 11 to Sep 19. Peak from Sep 19 to Sep 27. Past peak from Sep 27 to Oct 7. Bare from Oct 7 to Oct 21.
Utah is typically at approaching peak on this date.
Utah by county
25 days from Summit County to Washington County.
3 of 29 counties are typically at peak today. Tap a location marker for coordinates and light times. Where peak usually lands. Boundaries: US Census, 2023. Elevation: USGS 3DEP + SRTM. Method
A county is still an average. Uintah County spans 19 days on its own, ridge to valley.
Every county, as text
| County | Typical peak | Stage today | Median elev. | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver County | Sep 28 – Oct 6 | First color | 6,394 ft | 9 days |
| Box Elder County | Sep 27 – Oct 5 | First color | 4,245 ft | 4 days |
| Cache County | Sep 21 – Sep 29 | Approaching peak | 5,873 ft | 13 days |
| Carbon County | Sep 22 – Sep 30 | Approaching peak | 7,112 ft | 10 days |
| Daggett County | Sep 17 – Sep 25 | Peak | 7,530 ft | 13 days |
| Davis County | Sep 29 – Oct 7 | First color | 4,201 ft | 1 days |
| Duchesne County | Sep 22 – Sep 30 | Approaching peak | 6,775 ft | 8 days |
| Emery County | Sep 29 – Oct 7 | First color | 5,689 ft | 7 days |
| Garfield County | Sep 28 – Oct 6 | First color | 6,685 ft | 11 days |
| Grand County | Oct 2 – Oct 10 | First color | 4,756 ft | 14 days |
| Iron County | Sep 30 – Oct 8 | First color | 6,024 ft | 11 days |
| Juab County | Sep 29 – Oct 7 | First color | 5,175 ft | 5 days |
| Kane County | Oct 3 – Oct 11 | First color | 5,784 ft | 12 days |
| Millard County | Sep 30 – Oct 8 | First color | 5,127 ft | 11 days |
| Morgan County | Sep 20 – Sep 28 | Approaching peak | 6,550 ft | 9 days |
| Piute County | Sep 24 – Oct 2 | Approaching peak | 7,391 ft | 12 days |
| Rich County | Sep 19 – Sep 27 | Approaching peak | 6,678 ft | 3 days |
| Salt Lake County | Sep 28 – Oct 6 | First color | 4,668 ft | 14 days |
| San Juan County | Oct 4 – Oct 12 | First color | 5,249 ft | 6 days |
| Sanpete County | Sep 23 – Oct 1 | Approaching peak | 6,948 ft | 17 days |
| Sevier County | Sep 23 – Oct 1 | Approaching peak | 7,552 ft | 13 days |
| Summit County | Sep 11 – Sep 19 | Peak | 9,310 ft | 15 days |
| Tooele County | Sep 30 – Oct 8 | First color | 4,261 ft | 14 days |
| Uintah County | Sep 22 – Sep 30 | Approaching peak | 6,539 ft | 19 days |
| Utah County | Sep 21 – Sep 29 | Approaching peak | 7,061 ft | 12 days |
| Wasatch County | Sep 17 – Sep 25 | Peak | 8,103 ft | 9 days |
| Washington County | Oct 6 – Oct 14 | No change | 4,863 ft | 15 days |
| Wayne County | Oct 1 – Oct 9 | First color | 5,382 ft | 13 days |
| Weber County | Sep 26 – Oct 4 | First color | 4,943 ft | 12 days |
Peak by elevation
14 days between the ridges and the valleys below them. The county map above averages that away.
| Elevation band | Approx. elevation | Typical peak | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| High ridges & passes | 10,000 ft | Sep 16 | Peak |
| Mid elevation | 8,000 ft | Sep 23 | Approaching peak |
| Valleys & lowlands | 5,950 ft | Sep 30 | First color |
Foliage stages
- No change 0–10%
- First color 10–25%
- Approaching peak 25–60%
- Peak 60–90%
- Past peak 40–70%, dropping
- Bare <20%
Light at peak
Utah on September 23, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:47 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 89° | 7:14 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 36 min of low, warm light | 7:50 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:18 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 35 min before sunset | 6:46 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 270° | 7:22 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:49 PM |
Times in America/Denver · day length 12h 8m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises E, sets W.
Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.
Location pages name the light directly.
Where to shoot in Utah
3 researched locations, earliest peak first.
- Guardsman Pass Peak
Wasatch Range · 9,704 ft · peaks Sep 15
The paved climb from Brighton tops out at 9,704 feet with aspen slopes dropping away toward Heber Valley on the east side. Lower Big Cottonwood adds bigtooth maple, so one drive covers gold at the summit and red at the canyon mouth.
- Devils Kitchen Overlook Approaching peak
Mount Nebo Scenic Byway · 8,184 ft · peaks Sep 22
Orange sandstone hoodoos fill a small amphitheater at the head of Red Creek, with bigtooth maple turning crimson on the slopes around the rim. Red rock and red maple stack in one frame from the deck at the end of the paved path.
- Fish Lake Approaching peak
Fishlake National Forest · 8,848 ft · peaks Sep 23
Utah's largest natural mountain lake sits in a basin rimmed by aspen, including the Pando clone on the southwest side. Calm early mornings lay the gold hillsides on the water, and the shoreline pullouts face the color across the lake.
Recent reports from Utah
Report what you sawCommon questions
- When do the leaves change in Utah?
- Utah typically peaks Sep 19 – Sep 27, centered on Sep 23. The high Wasatch peaks late September; the canyons and Zion in mid-to-late October. These are typical dates from a latitude and elevation model; current conditions may differ.
- Does elevation change when fall color peaks in Utah?
- Yes, by about 14 days. High ground around 10,000 ft peaks near Sep 16, while valleys near 5,950 ft wait until Sep 30. Peak moves roughly 3.5 days earlier for every 1,000 feet you climb. Try lower valleys after high ground has passed peak, or higher ground while valleys are still green.
- Where are the best places to see fall color in Utah?
- The guide includes 3 researched locations in Utah, including Guardsman Pass, Devils Kitchen Overlook, Fish Lake. Guardsman Pass turns first, around Sep 15, and Fish Lake is last, around Sep 23. Each includes coordinates, elevation and sunrise light times.
- What trees turn color in Utah?
- Mainly quaking aspen, bigtooth maple, gambel oak, cottonwood. Yellows and oranges come from carotenoids that are already in the leaf, so they show up every year. Reds are made fresh each autumn and need warm sunny days with cool, frost-free nights, which is why a dry summer or a warm September produces a duller year.