The first day of fall is upon us, and with it, cooler temperatures and changing leaves are on their way. While most of the millions of annual visitors to the region make their way to lodging near Zion during the summer months, every season in Southern Utah brings something new and unique. Fall is no exception.
Fall in Zion means cooler temperatures, shrinking crowds, and a vibrant display of color. The region is home to a number of native tree species that experience changing colors this time of year, including Canyon Maples, Quaking Aspens, Douglas Hawthorns, and Scrub Oaks.
You’ll get to see many of those trees and their vibrant colors right here at Flanigan’s Resort. Our beautiful wooded grounds are maintained by a professional arborist, and are home to a wide variety of native plant species. You’ll also enjoy views of Zion National Park right from your private patio or balcony, which are even more beautiful when the red rock cliffs become backdrops to trees turning bright shades of yellow, orange, and red.
But if you want to experience even more stunning fall views during your stay in lodging near Zion, there are a number of scenic drives that you can take. Keep reading to learn a few of our favorites to enjoy this time of year.
Patchwork Parkway National Scenic Byway
Perhaps the best spot to go to enjoy a scenic drive that showcases Southern Utah’s incredible fall colors is Patchwork Parkway National Scenic Byway. This road is actually the start of Southern Utah’s unofficial Fall Color Loop. Also known as State Highway 143, this road runs from Panguitch, Utah to Parowan, Utah, and is located to the North of Zion National Park. Driving the entire thing will take you just over an hour, not counting any stops to get photos of the great views.
This beautiful road winds through historic towns and stunning geological formations. With more than 4,500 feet of elevation change, this scenic drive is a great spot to experience fall colors throughout the season. If you arrive at your lodging near Zion and find that you’re too early for fall colors at our resort, this drive will take you to some higher elevations where the color change has likely begun.
In the fall, aspen trees come to life in shades of yellow, set against the glittering pink cliffs of the Paunsaugunt Plateau rising in the distance. You’ll pass clear alpine lakes and colorful meadows along the way. The road touches Cedar Breaks National Monument, which is another great day trip from the best resorts near Zion National Park.
Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway
Speaking of Cedar Breaks National Monument, Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway is another great spot to experience the fall colors. Also known as UT-148, this road actually connects to UT-143 or the Patchwork Parkway National Scenic Byway. This makes it easy to combine these drives (and one more that we’ll cover later on this list).
Turning towards the south, this road takes you into heavily forested land that is covered in color all fall long. Cedar Breaks is a natural amphitheater, which makes for a great backdrop for the colors.
Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway
Finishing off the loop, the Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway will take you back towards your lodging near Zion. This 40-mile stretch of road follows UT-14 through Dixie National Forest, between Cedar City, Utah, and Long Valley Junction, Utah. You’ll start off with a climb in elevation as you catch more incredible views of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Look out for the Zion Overlook, which offers some incredible views of the park.
You’ll pass Navajo Lake, one of the best spots to experience fall colors during your stay in hotels in Zion. Here, fir, pine, spruce, and aspen trees come alive with some incredible shades of yellow, red, and orange this time of year.
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
While you’ll no doubt spend a lot of time enjoying the fall views in Zion during your stay in hotels near Virgin, Utah, there’s another national park just a short drive away that also offers some incredible landscapes this time of year.
Bryce Canyon National Park, with its natural amphitheater and stunning red hoodoos, is even more beautiful during the fall. The Bryce Canyon SOuthern Scenic Drive winds 18 miles through the park, and passes many of the park’s most famous features and views. This drive is a must-see this time of year, and should definitely be on your itinerary during your fall stay in lodging near Zion.
Planning a Fall Stay in Lodging Near Zion
These incredible scenic drives are great for experiencing the changing fall colors in Southern Utah during your stay in lodging near Zion. In between enjoying the park’s trails, make sure to leave some time to take a drive or two during your stay at Flanigan’s Resort.
Ready to see what makes a fall stay in the best resorts near Zion National Park so special? Book your next stay at Flanigan’s Resort today!