7 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In Utah This Year
With summer behind us and winter months away, now is the perfect time to visit Utah’s best natural wonders. From striking cliffs and canyons to surreal rock formations and desert scapes, the Beehive State is a treasure trove of breathtaking sights and experiences. In place of blistering temperatures and slippery snow, autumn offers the chance to explore these state parks and landmarks in comfort, coupled with fall foliage and smaller crowds. Whether hiking, climbing, paddling, or even driving, these are 7 of the best natural wonders to visit in Utah in fall 2025.
Bridal Veil Falls
Easy to reach and well worth the drive, Bridal Veil Falls is one of Utah’s crown jewels. Located near Hwy 189 in the south end of Provo Canyon, the double cataract waterfall plunges 607 feet in 2 central streams. After leaving the parking lot behind, the Bridal Veil Falls Trail is paved, shaded, and flat for most of the hike, although it gets a bit rockier toward the end. Upon arrival, the waterfall is a picture-perfect backdrop for a picnic and photo-op.
This short and easy waterfall hike is just 1.4 miles out and back, making it a great route for families and less experienced hikers. Although the trail is open year-round, autumn is one of the best times to visit before the snow hits, offering milder temperatures and colorful fall foliage. Bear in mind, Bridal Veil Falls can still get fairly crowded even in the fall, so if you want a quieter atmosphere, consider visiting during the week if you can.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
As one of Utah’s most-visited parks, autumn is the perfect time to explore Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area at a slower pace. Spanning parts of Wyoming and Utah, this massive outdoor playground contains over 200,000 acres of land and water, including portions of the majestic Green River. Although the Flaming Gorge Reservoir is manmade from damming the river, the cliffs surrounding it were carved by the powerful waterway. These bright red bluffs inspired the name “Flaming Gorge,” reminding explorer John Wesley Powell of fire.
Rafting below the dam is a popular way to explore the Green River and take in views of the fiery cliffs. Raft Rentals are available nearby in Dutch John at outfitters like Trout Creek Flies, and most suggest paddling Section A of the river. This 7-mile route begins at the base of the dam, traveling downstream to Little Hole with mild whitewaters and gorgeous views. Alternatively, hiking paths like the Red Canyon Rim Trail and Little Hole National Scenic Trail are equally scenic, showcasing the river, reservoir, and canyons from a different perspective.
Zion National Park
Welcoming 5 million visitors annually, Zion National Park is one of Utah’s grandest national wonders, centered around Zion Canyon. Eroded and carved by the Virgin River, the canyon stretches 15 miles long, reaching depths of nearly 3,000 feet. Its Emerald Pools are an enchanting feature, with trails leading to a series of easy-to-reach ponds and waterfalls. For a trickier trek, the Angels Landing hike is a steep route with jaw-dropping panoramic views, although permits are required and selected through a Lottery. Instead, you may prefer hikes like the Narrows, a slot canyon hike up the Virgin River.
If you want to enjoy the park with thinner crowds, data from its “Recreation Visits by Month” shows that October and November are less busy. Autumn visitors can also enjoy cooler hiking conditions and fall foliage in Zion Canyon toward the end of October and early November. For the Narrows, Zion National Park also recommends early fall as a good time to visit, as the water is warmer and levels are lower. Alternatively, if you would prefer a dry hike, the Zion Canyon Overlook Trail offers a bird's-eye view.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Regarded as the tallest natural bridge in the world, the Rainbow Bridge National Monument is a bucket list-worthy landmark in southern Utah near Lake Powell. At 290 feet tall, the Navajo sandstone formation is higher than the United States Capitol Building, eroded and sculpted over millions of years. Discovered by the Navajo people long before settlers, the formation remains a sacred site to this day and is only accessible by passing through Navajo lands. Keep in mind that reaching this landmark is not your average day trip, but a thrilling adventure for experienced hikers.
While dock access is currently unavailable due to Lake Powell’s low water levels, there are other ways to reach Rainbow Bridge in 2025. After obtaining a permit from the Navajo Nation, explorers can choose from 2 routes: the Rainbow Bridge North Trail or South Trail. It is important to note that both are strenuous, spanning 17.5 and 16 miles, respectively. But for serious hikers, the journey is half the fun, passing dramatic canyons, steep cliffs, and rugged Utah wilderness. Since most hikers trek to and from Rainbow Bridge over several days, the National Park Service recommends autumn as a great time to take this trip, as precipitation is low and temperatures are more mild.
Arches National Park
For the more casual traveler, Arches National Park boasts spellbinding rock formations and a wider range of ways to explore them. Home to pinnacles, balanced rocks, and over 2,000 documented stone arches, the park is a treasure trove of sights and scenes. Much like the Rainbow Bridge, these formations are the result of wind, water, and erosion over time, creating the surreal natural sculptures. On the other hand, Arches National Park offers more accessible viewing options, including adventures that can be enjoyed right from your car.
Auto tours follow the park’s paved roads, leading to some of its largest arches and coolest landmarks. The Windows Section can be driven in around 1.5 hours, passing notable formations like the Elephant Butte and Double Arch. Also about 1.5 hours in length, the Delicate Arch Viewpoint drive passes its namesake, considered by many to be the “most famous natural stone arch in the world.” Alternatively, hikes offer closer views of the landmarks and formations, and fall is a great time to enjoy cooler temperatures. Paths like the Balanced Rock Viewpoint Trail take hikers around 15 to 30 minutes, while the Landscape Arch Trail can take up to an hour.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Like other desert settings in Utah, autumn is an ideal time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park. Without the sweltering summer heat, its splendor can be explored by car or foot, with Dead Horse Point as its anchor. According to legends, the name Dead Horse Point comes from the area’s ranching days, when cowboys used the narrow point to herd wild mustangs. The staggering rock peninsula sits atop sandstone cliffs, connecting to a mesa 2,000 feet over the Colorado River.
Today, Dead Horse Point is renowned for its vistas, boasting some of the world’s most photographed natural scenes. Dead Horse Point Overlook is the park’s prized viewpoint, showcasing panoramic views of the river and canyons below. Whether driving here on the main park road or hiking scenic paths like the East Rim Trail or West Rim Trail, this legendary overlook is a must. Better yet, consider hiking here later in the evening. Sunset hikes and stargazing are hallmarks of this International Dark Sky Park, which remains open until 10 pm year-round.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Vast and serene with salmon-hued hills, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is one of Utah’s most unique natural wonders. Encompassing 3,730 acres, its striking pink-red sand is a result of minerals and iron oxides from the Navajo sandstone, eroded from nearby cliffs. Visitors can experience the sea of wind-swept dunes in a variety of ways, ranging from ATV rides to sandboarding. The park is also extremely family-friendly, with parents encouraged to bring pails, shovels, and other sand toys for kids. It is one big sandbox after all!
Like other desert parks, September and October are recommended times to visit for milder temperatures. Less heat is especially preferred for those booking an All Ways Adventure Rappelling Tour, which guides thrill seekers “over a cliff edge with sweeping views of the sand dunes behind them.” But regardless of how or when you explore the dunes, make sure to pack plenty of water and sunscreen.
Explore Utah’s Best Natural Wonders This Fall
Before the Beehive State is blanketed with snow, autumn’s cooler temperatures and smaller crowds offer ideal outdoor conditions. Whether picnicking at Bridal Veil Falls, hiking the Narrows in Zion National Park, or sandboarding in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, fall 2025 is the perfect time to fit in one last Utah adventure. With summer heat and tourists at bay, there is no better season to savor everything this western state has to offer.
