The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Experiencing Southern Utah in the Fall
The gorgeous fall weather and colorful leaves are the perfect combination for an exciting trip to Southern Utah. Avoid the sweltering summer heat by visiting Utah in the fall and experiencing the area’s many outdoor activities among the bright autumn foliage. Whether you want to hike in one of the national parks or take the boat out one last time before winter, now’s the perfect time to plan your next visit! Take a look at this 3-day itinerary for all of the best recommendations:
Day 1 – Hiking in Zion & Dinner at a Steakhouse
Southern Utah in the fall has the perfect weather for hiking. You must experience the yellow, orange, and red trees for yourself! Zion National Park is full of hiking trails for all difficulty levels. We recommend the Lower Emerald Pools Trail during the fall season since the waterfalls and pool are the most abundant. Other easy hikes include the Pa’rus Trail and The Grotto Trail. An easy-to-moderate trail with stunning views is the Canyon Overlook Trail. While only a mile round trip, its steep and rocky path makes it fall into the slightly moderate category, but the overlook of Zion Canyon is especially breathtaking in autumn. After a day full of outdoor adventure, it’s time for dinner! Head to Rip & Chop House for incredible cocktails, steak, ribs, seafood, and more. We recommend the crabmeat stuffed mushrooms or the coconut shrimp (or both!) for an appetizer. And don’t skip dessert! The Pecan Meltaway or Satin Pie are two melt-in-your-mouth options you won’t regret ordering.
Day 2 – Golf, Texas BBQ, & Sand Hollow Reservoir
Utah in the fall gets just as much sunshine as the summer months, so we suggest beginning the day with a round of golf! Several beautiful golf courses, such as Red Hills and Southgate, offer great views of the red rock mountains and the trees’ red, orange, and yellow colors. As a guest of Red Rock Vacation Rentals, you’ll have access to special discounts for area golf courses– simply reach out to learn more or for help scheduling a tee time! In between activities, make a pit stop for lunch at Pica Rica BBQ on Main Street in St. George! They serve some of the best Texas BBQ, from sliced brisket and pulled pork sandwiches to smoked chicken wings and spare ribs. We can’t get enough of their barbacoa birria-style tacos! After lunch, you can go to Sand Hollow Reservoir for boating and watersports to take advantage of the nice weather’s last hurrah before winter or explore the hiking and biking trails at Snow Canyon State Park. Two hikes we recommend there are The Petrified Dunes Trail and Johnson Canyon. For biking, the Tuacahn Trail is a great 2-mile trail, and the West Canyon Trail is 4 miles long, both with amazing views of the fall colors.
Day 3 – Breakfast at Bear Paw, Historic St. George, & Beautiful Trails
It wouldn’t be a fall vacation in St. George, Utah, without exploring the historic downtown! Begin with a hearty breakfast at Bear Paw Cafe, where you’ll find a large selection of fresh smoothies, thick stacks of pancakes, waffles, and French toast, as well as crepes and breakfast burritos. Other local favorites include biscuits and gravy and country-fried steak and eggs. After breakfast, it’s time to explore beautiful St. George and its many shops and historic sites. You’ll definitely want to stop by Judd’s Store, located across the street from Town Square Park. It’s an old-fashioned candy and soda shop with a unique history dating back to 1911! Before heading home, take one last hike, and don’t worry– this trail is less than a mile long and easily accessible from downtown St. George! The Temple Springs Trail connects Red Hills Parkway and St. George Boulevard, and while it is pretty steep in places, this paved trail provides incredible views. It’s the perfect ending to your fall getaway!
Have we convinced you to visit Utah in the fall? Browse our affordable, high-quality vacation rentals so you can start enjoying the natural beauty of the autumn season! We can’t wait to welcome you to Southern Utah!