Forget leaf peeping in New England – Autumnal colours are just as vivid in America’s Mountain West, with Utah top of the tree
When it comes to the awe-inspiring colours of American Autumn, most people’s thoughts turn to New England, and certainly not to Utah’s desert country. But the Beehive State has a golden secret at its heart: each September its deep forests and sprawling national parks erupt into a riot of colours to rival anything the East Coast has to offer.
From the ‘Mighty Five®’ national parks – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion – to the state’s vast meadows, mountainsides, peaks and valleys, nature’s paintbrush turns Utah into a kaleidoscope of colours until well into October.
The good news is that there are multiple ways to enjoy the exquisite fall foliage – from hiking and biking to horse riding – with many of the best trails easy day trips from towns like Moab, Provo and Ogden. The position of the state capital, Salt Lake City, on the edge of the imposing Wasatch Range of mountains means that it too boasts a bevy of beautiful hikes in its back yard.
For those who’d prefer to enjoy the spectacular natural canvas from behind the wheel of a car, Utah boasts more than 27 scenic byways – winding through some of the state’s most epic scenery as the colours turn. Chief among these is Scenic Byway 12 – “The All American Road”. A legendary 150 mile route (with 120 miles in extra options) connecting two of the ‘Mighty Five®’ – Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef – via a number of breathtaking natural wonders, including Red Canyon, Boulder Mountain and Dixie National Forest. And this, of course, is just a tiny part of the enormous network of scenic byways criss-crossing America’s boldest, most vivid outdoor state.
Becky Johnson, Senior Global Manager for the Utah Office of Tourism, Film & Global Branding, comments: “Autumn is a particularly special time of year in Utah, when the slightly cooler temperatures and incredible colours make it a fantastic place to visit. Combined with Delta Air Lines’ new nonstop flights from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City, we look forward to welcoming visitors to Utah this Autumn to admire our breathtaking natural scenery.”
Discover Utah in autumn:
Bon Voyage (0800 316 0194 / bon-voyage.co.uk) has a 14-night fly-drive to Utah from £1,795 per person, valid for travel during September and October 2016. The price includes nonstop Delta Air Lines flights from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City, 14 nights’ accommodation in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Bryce Canyon area and Moab plus car hire for the duration. The price is based on two adults travelling, sharing room only accommodation.
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION ONLY:
For additional information on Utah’s Scenic Drives and byways, visit: www.visitutah.com/plan-your-trip/getting-around-utah/scenic-byways
For additional information on the ‘Mighty Five®’, visit www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/most-visited-parks/the-mighty-5
For more information on Utah, visit www.visitutah.com/uk