Utah Fall Bucket List [2024]

I have been waiting for this season ever since Ben accepted a job in Utah back in January. Fall! Autumn! A real one!

The only downside to living in paradise (Southern California) for a few years was that, come October, you were still living in endless summer. Stores were selling sweaters and the weather was serving 88 degree days. It felt great at the beach but, when you weren’t in the sand, it felt like it SHOULD be a crisp 69 degrees.

But it wasn’t.

So here we are, thrilled to have a fall in Utah.

We lived in Utah for 4 years about a decade ago but have been asking everyone what the fall must haves are now that we’re back.

A Family Fall Utah Bucket List

Fall in Utah is a magical time, with so much to do! Here’s what’s on our bucket list as a family (our kids are ages 2-9 for reference).

Hike in the Foliage

We’ve already been doing plenty of this but getting out in the leaves is THE BEST part about living in Utah. We’re hoping to make it up to Park City and down to Provo Canyon but some of our favorite hikes so far have been in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.

• Temple Quarry Trail
• Maple Hollow Trail

With the added hiking, I’ve put waterproof hiking shoes on my list because my basic sneakers aren’t cutting it.

Drive the Alpine Loop

When we aren’t up for hiking, there is nothing more beautiful than driving the Alpine Loop. It gets pretty busy on weekends so we’re trying to sneak this in as a weekday activity.

• Scenic Byway: Take a scenic drive along the Alpine Loop, offering breathtaking views of fall colors and the surrounding mountains.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch + Corn Maze

• Cornbelly’s: Enjoy hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin picking at this popular Utah destination. Everyone has said this is a must and that it is incredibly busy. We’re still gearing up to see if we can handle this 😛
• Hee Haw Farms: This seems like a smaller, less busy version of Cornbelly’s that we might try instead this year.

Wander Through Gardner Village

Enjoy creative and festive Halloween decorations that aren’t too spooky. We’re excited to walk through Garner Village to see all of the witches and pick up a treat.

Farmers Market

My goal is to let each child pick out produce from the farmers market and then make a season meal that incorporates all of it. We’ll see how it goes.

Have a Bonfire up a Canyon

It’ll take us right back to college but did you know you can reserve picnic sites up in the canyon? It’s like reserving a campsite but just for daytime hours. We’ll pack in firewood and stuff for smores and it will ALMOST count as fall camping.

Go to a Football Game

Nothing says fall quite like a new sweatshirt and a football game. Is it the year for our kids’ first BYU game?

A few fun extras:

I’m not sure these will make the calendar this fall but they look so fun! Maybe we’ll pick one to do and save the others for years to come.

• Alpine Slide in Park City
• Sundance Moonlit Tram Rides
• Heber Valley Railroad Scenic Fall Train
• Wheeler Farms

What would you add to our fall bucket list?