Fall Colors

Throughout Cedar Breaks National Monument, visitors see alternating environments of meadowlands, and forestlands composed of Quaking Aspen, Engelmann Spruce, and Subalpine Fir.

NPS / Steve Libbey

 

Experiencing Autumn in Cedar Breaks National Monument

To read an updated Fall Color Report for Cedar Breaks and the surrounding area, visit https://visitcedarcity.com/fall-color-report/.

The contrast of the vivid red rocks of the amphitheater with the shimmering golden leaves of the Quaking Aspens make Cedar Breaks National Monument the perfect place to embrace Autumn.

From late-September to early-October, the leaves of the Quaking Aspens in Cedar Breaks National Monument transform from bright green to golden yellow. Being located at 10,000 feet of elevation, Cedar Breaks is often among the first areas in Utah to begin experiencing the transition to Fall.
Along with the Quaking Aspens, the undergrowth of our subalpine forest also contributes to the color change of the changing seasons. The leaves of Alpine Prickly Currant bushes turn yellow, and a few Showy Goldeneyes still dot the meadows throughout the monument.

 

The Alpine Pond Loop trail takes hikers on a winding path through groves of towering, golden Quaking Aspens.

NPS Photo / Emily Childs

Why do the leaves change color?

As we enter Fall, temperatures begin lowering and daylight hours decrease. This causes deciduous trees to begin slowing down their production of chlorophyll, which is the pigment that makes leaves appear green. This allows other color pigments to become visible, like the carotenoids that produce the yellows seen among the Quaking Aspens!

Responsible Leaf Viewing

The best place within Cedar Breaks National Monument to view the fall leaves from the road is between the Chessmen Ridge Overlook and the North View Overlook.
The best place within Cedar Breaks National Monument to view the fall leaves from the trial is the Alpine Pond Loop Trail.

Please help us protect our meadow and forestlands by using only designated pullouts and overlooks for viewing from your vehicle and by using only designated trails for viewing on foot. Remember to take only photographs, not leaves!

Fall Colors Outside of Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks is surrounded by the beautiful Dixie National Forest, which has its own magical display of fall foliage. Visitors can experience additional fall-viewing by driving Highway 14 east towards Navajo Lake and Duck Creek, along with driving Highway 143 east towards Panguitch Lake.