Autumn Aglow: 3 Favorite Fall Hikes for Families in Utah
Mother Nature knows how to put on a show that’s nothing short of spectacular. Blazing reds. Warm oranges. Inspiring yellows. While the timing of the peak leaf-peeping performance varies from late September to early October each year, the best places in Utah to get a glimpse of the colorful foliage remain the same. Grab your kids, trade out their flip flops for some sturdy shoes, and hit the trail on these forever faves.
Wheeler Creek to Icebox Canyon | Ogden Canyon
Trailhead: About 5 miles up Ogden Canon on the south side, just before Pineview Dam
Distance: Approximately 5 miles, round trip
Type: Lollipop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Features: Bridges, stream, outhouse
Colors: Red, orange, yellow, brown, green
Young and old alike appreciate the variety offered by this trail. The path starts out wide enough for kids to hike side by side or walk holding a parent’s hand. The incline is immediate, but it’s not too steep or strenuous. After a few minutes, the creek appears to the left of the trail and eventually ends up on the right. Lone trees growing out of the rock with brilliant red leaves offer a stunning juxtaposition against tall, charcoal-colored cliffs on one side of the trail; clusters of trees and bushes in color combinations typically reserved for a Crayola box line the other.
A kaleidoscope of colors along the Wheeler Creek trail.
After about a mile, the trail splits. Follow the directional arrow down the singletrack to Icebox Canyon. This is where the trail really gets good. Walk through canopies of every color while listening to the gentle flow of the stream.
The trail becomes a little more difficult after crossing the second bridge, but the workout is well worth it. The trail opens to rolling hills covered with photogenic prairie grass and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. There’s even a bench in the shade where you can stop and soak it all in.
Continue following the loop and the signs to get back to Wheeler Creek. A small campground and outhouses are located at the tip of the lollipop loop at the Art Nord Trailhead.
Note: This hike can be shortened to 3(ish) miles roundtrip by starting at the Art Nord Trailhead and just completing the loop rather than the entire lollipop.
Parent Tip: Parts of this trail are in the sun, but the temperature much cooler in the shady canyon. Be sure to pack/wear light layers to keep kids comfortable and curb whining about being too hot or too cold.
Mill D to Dog Lake | Big Cottonwood Canyon
Trailhead: About 9.6 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the north side
Distance: Approximately 4.7 miles, round trip
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Stream, lake
Colors: Yellow, green, orange
The first half mile of this hike is somewhat steep. Take the short spur near the beginning of the trail to catch your breath and then have it taken away again by the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Aspens in the brightest shade of yellow imaginable contrast with the deep greens of pine groves.
Continuing up the shady trail, a stream soon appears on the right. Most of the leaves along the way are yellow, but there are small sections walled by bushes wearing fall’s favorite color: pumpkin spice.
The trail splits around mile two. Follow the arrow pointing toward Dog Lake and start the 0.6-mile ascent. This part is also somewhat steep and little legs will likely need to take a few breaks. At the lake, a yellow curtain of aspens provides a picturesque backdrop.
Parent Tip: Though there are no dogs allowed on the portion of the trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon, they are allowed on the trail coming from the neighboring canyon, as well as in the lake. It’s a popular spot for canine recreation in the early afternoon on weekends. Kids often enjoy watching the dogs splash around in the lake, but if you prefer solitude try the trail on a weekday instead.
Wind Cave Trail | Logan Canyon
Trailhead: About 5.3 miles up Logan Canyon on the north side, near Buinavah-Malibu Campground
Distance: Approximately 7 miles, round trip
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Features: Switchbacks, triple-arch cave
Colors: Red, orange, yellow, brown, green
This is a popular trail leading to an interesting limestone formation with amazing views. The trail is steep in parts—there’s a 2300-foot elevation gain in 3.5 miles—but switchbacks make it easier to manage.
Watch for a junction about a mile up the trail and follow the sign pointing to the Wind Cave. The formation is visible about another 0.5 miles, but it still takes some time to get there.
When you arrive at the Wind Cave, relax in the shade for a bit and then explore the alcoves (but be mindful there are some steep dropoffs).
There are some amazing photo ops from this vantage point.
The hike back down goes much faster than the hike up. Kids have a renewed sense of energy and the downhill momentum is monumental.
Parent Tip:
There isn’t much shade on this trail, so pack plenty of sunscreen. If you have a toddler in tow in a backpack carrier, be sure to apply sunscreen on his legs, even if he is wearing pants. The pants tend to ride up as kids shift from one side to the other on the switchbacks to get a better view.
