Park City, Utah’s prime place in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains means that travelers heading here can enjoy a vacation destination that experiences all four seasons of weather in a calendar year. As summer comes to a close and fall is ushered in, Park City transforms into a gorgeous place for those who enjoy leaf peeping to head out and make the most of some truly breathtaking views! The collection of maples and aspens that tend to dominate the local landscape here provides fall foliage enthusiasts with a kaleidoscope of hues to admire. Whether you only have a few days to spare to see the leaves changing colors this year, or you’re looking forward to an extended fall getaway, the following are some of the best Park City leafing spots for colorful viewing opportunities.
Make Time to Visit the Historic McPolin Farm for Fall Foliage Fun
Any time of year you’re lucky enough to be visiting Park City, you’ll find that a stop at the historic McPolin Farm is worth your while. This iconic local landmark is like an authentic step back in time thanks to the well-preserved architecture, but when you visit during autumn, it’s also a place where you can admire vibrant foliage against the backdrop of gently rolling hills. The leaves here really come to life in stunning color between mid-October and late October, so that’s a good timeframe to keep in mind when you’re planning ahead for your trip. You’ll want to set aside plenty of time to check out the hiking trails while you’re in the area and make sure you have a camera in hand as well. Many visitors head to the McPolin Farm during a Park City visit just before sunset to access the best light for photos, and the same framing rule can be applied during a fall getaway here.
Get Ready for an Amazing View Along Guardsman Pass
For many travelers, a trip to Park City in the fall to view the changing colors wouldn’t entirely be considered complete until they’ve taken time to explore Guardsman Pass. This scenic byway connects Midway and Big Cottonwood Canyon to Park City, with stunning vistas in place along the way to enjoy. At an elevation of 9,700 feet, Guardsman Pass can’t help but provide travelers with a picture-perfect vantage point out over the incredible changing seasonal colors showcased across the city’s surrounding terrain.
Driving Guardsman Pass is an activity you can customize to your own preferred pace. That said, there’s a good chance you’re going to want to take things slow because this route is saturated with maple and aspen groves that feature bold reds and golds between late September and early October. It’s always a good idea to head out on Guardsman Pass as early in the day as possible for leaf peeping to avoid the crowds. It’s also a great time of day to take advantage of viewing opportunities in the area while the natural light is a bit softer. Setting out early provides an opportunity to provide your leap peeping drive with short area hikes as well if you’re looking to get up closer to the colors and take great photos along the way.
Be Sure to Check Out Bonanza Flat During Your Fall Getaway
You don’t have to travel far from the heart of Park City, Utah to enjoy time admiring fall foliage at its best when you make your way to Bonanza Flat. This inviting leaf-peeping destination is just a few minutes from downtown, but it might just have you feeling worlds away from the hustle of life once you arrive. That’s because Bonanza Flat is a gorgeous wilderness area spanning nearly 1,500 acres on the outskirts of town that takes on some incredible colors each fall.
The best time of the season to admire the hues at their boldest is typically between early and mid-October, and you’ll want to consider either hiking or biking your way along the nature trails here because there’s more than 5 miles of dedicated routes to explore. Bonanza Flats is a popular place to see the fall leaves changing near Park City among tranquility seekers, thanks to the fewer crowds that typically come this way. When you’re looking for a quieter place to enjoy the changing colors of the season that includes access to aspen and pine forests as well as alpine lakes, Bonanza Flat is a stop you won’t want to leave off your list!
Pair Your Experience at Bonanza Flat with Time on the Bloods Lake Trail
If you’re lucky enough to find time to visit Bonanza Flat when you’re looking forward to admiring fall foliage this year, you’ll be in the perfect place to expand your options for leaf-peeping fun along the nearby Bloods Lake Trail. This route is ideal for a moderately challenging fall hike, but the stunning views you’ll encounter along the way are anything but standard. The Bloods Lake Trail sits on the side of a 10,000-foot mountain and embodies everything that visitors might be looking forward to most in an alpine adventure. From the fantastic rock features to the sweeping panoramic vistas, Bloods Lake Trail is designed to impress.
If you want to hike it in its entirety as you admire fall foliage along the way, you’ll need to be prepared for a 2.8-mile round-trip experience. The elevation gain is only 465 feet, and it can be completed as a loop or out-and-back experience, depending on your preference. To reach the Bloods Lake Trail and see fall leaves changing color this year, you’ll head up Guardsman Pass and access the trailhead from there. Many visitors find the dense aspen groves to be the most impressive sights along the Bloods Lake Trail, but there’s a lot to be said for the opportunity to simply settle in at sparkling Bloods Lake and admire the view out and over the landscapes from there, too.
Experience Fall Beauty Along Jenni’s Trail for Yourself This Season
For fall foliage seekers looking to access great views closer to the heart of town, Jenni’s Trail at Park City Mountain is where you’re going to want to be. This 3-mile trail comes with an elevation gain of around 195 feet, and is a multi-purpose trail typically used for hiking and biking alike. If you’re making plans to drive in to access the trailhead, you’ll be thrilled to find there’s plenty of convenient parking options in the lot located right at the base of Park City Mountain Resort.
This is an amazing trail to add to your fall foliage lineup if you’re looking to see golden aspens around the resort blooming in golden hues! If you’re not exactly sure where to start your journey, just keep your eyes open for the Jenni’s Trail signage located near the First Time Lift in the base area. You’ll quickly be pleased to discover that this trail comes with gentle inclines, and places to stop and admire those seasonal colors, too. Whether you complete the trail in its entirety or hike a portion is completely up to you, but it’s bound to be an unforgettable journey either way. If you do decide to cut your hike short, look for the Crescent Mine Grade located about halfway up Jenni’s Trail, as it’s a place where you can cut back for a shorter loop.
Enjoy That Autumn Glow at Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter
In the event you’re traveling to Park City this fall with the kids included as part of your group, we would recommend making your way to the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter at least once. This is also a great choice for autumn travelers who are simply looking for a place where they can pair education and admire the spectacular colors of the season in tandem. You’ll find the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter located at 1258 Center Drive, and the EcoCenter here is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.
No matter when you arrive, you’ll find this 1,200-acre nature preserve is truly one-of-a-kind. Many fall foliage enthusiasts would agree that the best time to see the changing colors here is between mid-October and late October, but depending on the weather, things might start changing earlier in the month too. The beauty of making Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter your leaf-peeping destination of choice in Park City is that you won’t only be treated to the changing colors across the landscapes here, but you’ll have options to see how hues are altered across meadows, upland trails, and wetlands alike.
Fall is a fantastic time to pair an afternoon of admiring colorful leaves with wildlife viewing at the Swaner Preserve. By autumn, there’s a good chance your trip this way could come with opportunities to spot everything from deer and migrating birds to even the occasional moose in the area. Many fall foliage seekers love their time at the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter for the quiet, uncrowded trails they can explore at their own pace with binoculars in hand. It’s a wonderful leaf-peeping destination for solo travelers and families alike looking to learn more about the area’s diverse ecosystems this fall.
Some of the best trails here for seeing the changing seasonal colors at their best include the Spring Creek Trail and the Stealth Trail, too. If you choose to spend your time on the Wetlands Discovery Trail, you’ll enjoy amazing colors surrounding you at every turn on a loop that’s conveniently set up with interpretive signage and runs right near the EcoCenter itself.
Once you’ve had your fill of fun soaking up the fall colors overhead, make sure to set aside time to explore the EcoCenter, which hosts interactive displays, a rooftop deck for panoramic views, and seasonal art exhibits to check out. If you check the event schedule ahead of your arrival, you might be lucky enough to find a spot open on one of the center’s guided outings and learn even more about this incredible fall destination you’ve come to explore.
Elevate the Leaf-Peeping and Adventure on Rob’s Trail
When you find yourself longing for a bit of an adventure, that includes great leaf-peeping too in Park City, you can’t go wrong with quality time enjoyed on Rob’s Trail. You’ll find this trail within the Sun Peak neighborhood with an access point at Bear Hollow Drive. Those who set off to explore Rob’s Trial and the fall foliage that awaits will want to be prepared for a 4- to 5-mile hike.
At various points along the trail, the elevation gain spans anywhere from 800 to 1,000 feet, but the effort is clearly worth your while once you come face-to-face with the incredible fall colors that are at their peak here between late September and early October. Rob’s Trail is a wonderful route to explore when you want to pair leaf-peeping with hiking or mountain biking, and having binoculars handy is recommended for top-notch birding along this route as well. It’s a good idea to set aside at least a half-day for your time on Rob’s Trail when you want to get the full experience and enjoy admiring your surroundings at your own pace.
Stop by Glenwood Cemetery for Reflective Observation
For a unique and reflective place to see the fall leaves changing color in Park City, consider stopping by Glenwood Cemetery while you’re in town this autumn. You’ll find this 5-acre cemetery located at 401 Silver King Drive, and it’s open year-round. Many visitors are not only thrilled by the stunning golden aspens that surround this restful destination, but intrigued by the fact that this cemetery was first established in Park City in 1885. It was a final resting place for many area silver miners and has earned its space on the National Register of Historic Places. We would recommend stopping by between early and mid-October to see the canopy of aspens overhead at their most brilliant.
Book Your Fall Getaway to Park City in Style
Make sure your fall getaway to Park City for fantastic leaf-peeping this year includes booking a luxury rental property through Abode Park City ahead of time. Our properties will keep you close to the trails and destinations you can’t wait to explore, while offering up world-class standards of luxury, comfort, and convenience every day of your stay. Reach out to learn more and to start turning travel plans into reality soon!
