Leaf it to me: 5 of Utah's most colorful foliage-peeping drives

Utah becomes a living canvas of color in the fall as leaves diversify into a palate of oranges, yellows and reds.

Boasting more than 25 scenic byways and several national scenic drives, the state offers many opportunities for enjoying the transition into the cooler months.

"We think we have foliage in Utah that rivals anything in New England," said Tracie Cayford, director of communications at the Utah Travel Counsel.

She said Utah has such varied fall foliage, it is hard to narrow the extensive list, but Cayford recommended five spots throughout the state that showcase spectacular views of autumn:

Alpine loop: One of the highest-elevation drives in the state, the road from American Fork Canyon (U.S. 92) to Uinta National Forest to Provo Canyon (U.S. 189) is one of the first to show signs of color change. "This drive goes up and down in elevation, so people will see various things along the way — there are different scenes around every corner," said Carol Ryan, U.S. Forest Service public affairs.

Aside from driving the byway's main road, visitors should also take a look at the branch-off road to Cascade Springs, which delves deeper into the forest and is spotted with ponds and ideal picnic areas.

Joel Racker of Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau recommends the 1.25-mile hike to Stewart Falls, as well as the Timpinuis trail in American Fork Canyon for further exploration.

Nebo loop: This route through the Wasatch Range is distinct for the red rock backdrop behind the colorful trees. Similar to much of southern Utah, the rock can be found in greatest abundance at The Devil's Kitchen, the final destination on the drive between Nephi and Payson.

The loop also has flat bottomlands, gray sandstone cliffs and mystical-looking salt flats, providing diverse sights along the drive.

In the forest area, Racker said, the relatively large amount of snowpack and water from the past year has made for a particularly nice autumnal display.

"Everything is so lush … I think that's going to make for one of our best color seasons in years," he said.

Energy loop: Huntington and Eccles canyons: Offering sights both historical and picturesque, the Energy loop is a less-explored scenic byway, but the high-elevation road guides the way through green landscapes and coal mining ghost towns just waiting to be explored. Visitors can also swim, boat or fish at the Scofield Reservoir on the north entrance to the byway or Electric and Huntington reservoirs dotting the byway farther along.