It’s fall break — here are some ideas for family fun in Utah
Dates for fall break vary among Utah’s school districts, but the majority will be occurring over the next few weeks. Here are some things to do in Utah in October to get the kids out of the house and entertain the whole family.
1. Go for a scenic drive
Alpine Loop
This 20-mile drive is one of the most popular fall destinations in Utah. The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest lights up in autumnal colors, and driving the Alpine Loop gives you a great view of the forest through American Fork Canyon and down into Provo Canyon.
Box Elder Canyon
If you take U.S. Highway 89 from Brigham City up to Logan, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of Box Elder Canyon. Depending on how long of a drive you’d like to take, the trip through Logan Canyon up to Bear Lake is equally breathtaking.
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Emigration Canyon to Parleys Canyon
Start on Emigration Canyon Road just past This Is The Place Monument and take SR-65 to I-80 through Parleys Canyon. This route will take you through some of the prettiest scenery Utah has to offer without getting more than 20 minutes away from the city.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
The 15-mile drive along the Big Cottonwood Scenic Byway takes visitors past glimpses of rock formations, forest and the creek. You can hop out and explore one of the many hiking trails along the canyon or sit back and enjoy the ride.
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Just south of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood offers the same scenery on a shorter route. It’s about seven miles from the mouth of the canyon to Alta Ski Area, where you can stop and frolic in the fallen leaves before getting back in the car to finish the journey.
2. Take a hike
Driving through the canyons is wonderful, but sometimes you need to stretch your legs. These family-friendly hikes are all under five miles long and have great views of autumn foliage.
Buffalo Peak Trail
AllTrails describes this hike as “moderately challenging,” but it doesn’t take long. This .9-mile out-and-back trail is near Provo and has beautiful views of Utah Valley.
Canyon Nature Trail
This is more of a nature walk than a real hike, as it’s paved and is .6 miles out and back. It’s right next to Timpanogos National Monument in Cedar Hills.
Donut Falls Trail
This 1.5-mile out-and-back hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon is great for families. You can stop when you reach the end of the trail, or you can scramble up the boulders to see the waterfall up close.
McPolin Nature Trail
This easy, 1.6-mile loop near Park City offers incredible views of the aspen.
Silver Lake Loop Trail
This loop around Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon is an easy .9 miles. Part of the trail is closed, but you can still walk through other sections and enjoy the scenery.
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3. ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!’
I wouldn’t recommend waiting up all night in a pumpkin patch like Linus, but these Utah farms are certainly worth a visit. After you pick your pumpkins, carve them into jack-o’-lanterns or bake them into a delicious fall dessert.
Cross E Ranch
This cattle ranch in Salt Lake holds a fall festival every year in September and October. While you can pick your own pumpkins without getting a ticket to the festival, admission lets you go on a hay ride, solve the Nintendo-themed corn maze, greet the animals and explore a whole host of activities including a climbing wall, zip line and archery range. Don’t forget to try the apple cider donuts!
Black Island Farms
If you purchase a hayride ticket, you can go pick your own pumpkin at this patch up in Syracuse. While you’re there, make sure to explore the courtyard, which includes a hay bale mountain, grain chute slide and pig races. They also have a corn maze, and if you like running for your life, get a ticket to Nightmare Acres, their haunted corn maze.
Wilkerson Farm
You can’t harvest these pumpkins directly from the patch, but there are so many varieties available that it’s worth visiting. If you buy a ticket to the farm’s fair, you can go through the corn maze, take the tractor hay ride or go on one of the many carnival rides. The farm is located in Orem.
Wheeler Historic Farm
Pumpkin Days at Wheeler Farm is in full swing. You can visit the pumpkin patch for free, or you can get a ticket to the Pumpkin Days Maze and Play Area and watch the duck races, enjoy a wagon or cow train ride and play in the corn pit.
4. Buy farm-fresh produce and get baking
While most apple orchards stop letting you pick your own apples in late September, you can still stop by a produce stand to purchase some.
Visit stands like Burgess Orchards or Allred Orchards, or go to your local farmer’s market to pick out fruit. The Provo Farmers Market has two Saturdays left in 2023, and the Downtown Farmers Market in Salt Lake only has one market left.
After you’ve acquired seasonal produce like apples, butternut squash or pumpkin, take them home and bake them into a delicious meal or dessert.
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5. Visit some kid-friendly haunts
As fun as it is to visit one of Utah’s many haunted houses, some of them just aren’t the best for children. The following promise spooky fun for people of all ages.
Haunted Halloween Haven
This free attraction started in a garage in Spanish Fork in 2003 and has now expanded into a walk-through haunted house complete with animatronics and a projection display.
The haunted house is open every night in October from 7:30–10 p.m.
Little Haunts at This Is The Place
Heritage Village at This Is The Place Heritage Park gets a Halloween makeover complete with a storytelling witch and creature encounters. Little ones can trick-or-treat through the village and enjoy the park’s regular activities, like pony rides and the train.
Little Haunts is held on Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28. Tickets start at $14.95 for children ages 3–11.
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WitchFest at Gardner Village
Explore Gardner Village through the Witch Scavenger Hunt or wander through and take in the witchy displays at your own pace. The village is open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m. through 8 p.m., but stays open until 9 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 28 for Witches Night Out.
Admission to the village is free, but additional events include an escape room, the Witch Express train and a magic show.
Lore at Evermore Park
Evermore is Utah’s only year-round fantasy renaissance fair, and it’s the perfect environment to celebrate Halloween. Visitors can complete quests, visit themed shops and watch animal or circus shows.
Children 5 and under get in for free, and tickets for children ages 6–11 starts at $21.
