8 Must-See Stops Along the Alpine Loop in Utah

I grew up in the suburbs of Salt Lake City but rarely ventured down south to Utah County. I had never even heard of the Alpine Loop until I moved to Lehi in my late 20s when the area exploded with tech jobs. That’s when I discovered that the Alpine Loop in Utah is one of the most scenic drives in the West. It’s a gorgeous drive any time of year but it’s especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are bursting with color.

I had no idea what I was missing! Nowadays, taking our minivan full of kids for a drive up the Alpine Loop in Utah to see the fall leaves is one of our favorite traditions. It’s definitely something worthy of your Utah bucket list.

There are dozens of great hiking trails along the Alpine Loop in Utah, like Stewart Falls or the Mount Timpanogos summit. We’ll save those for another post. This post is just about doing the scenic drive and the best stops along the way. There are so many places to stop the car and get out for a photo opp that it’s impossible to list them all. For now, we’re just going to list 8 of our favorites.

Where is the Alpine Loop in Utah?

The Alpine Loop in Utah County is a 20-mile mountain road that starts in American Fork Canyon, takes you around the backside of Mount Timpanogos, and then spits you out in the middle of Provo Canyon. You could choose to start on either side, but we’re going to start our journey by heading up American Fork Canyon first. To get there, take I-15 to to the Lehi Thanksgiving Point exit, then take the SR-92 Timpanogos Highway towards American Fork Canyon.

When is the best time to visit the Alpine Loop in Utah?

The best time to embark on a breathtaking journey along Utah’s Alpine Loop in Utah is undoubtedly during the colorful embrace of fall. As autumn’s vibrant foliage blankets the majestic Wasatch Mountains, you’ll be treated to a symphony of reds, oranges, and yellows that dance along the winding roads. The crisp, cool air and the golden sun add a touch of magic to the drive, making it an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. So, gear up, hit the road, and let Mother Nature’s autumn masterpiece take your breath away!

You can visit the Alpine Loop in Utah any time of year. In the summer, it’s a great place to find hiking trails, camping sites, or just spend a chill day paddleboarding at Tibble Fork or Silver Lake Flats.

In the winter, the road is partially closed due to snow, starting at the Pine Hollow trailhead. But then it becomes a perfect place for winter adventures, like riding a fat bike in the snow or going snowshoeing. Check out our guide to the best snowshoe trails in American Fork Canyon!

Alpine Loop in Utah: 8 Best Stops for Fall Photo Opps

1. Timpanogos Cave National Monument

I’ll preface this entry by saying that Timpanogos Cave isn’t a quick pitstop. But I couldn’t leave a national monument off this list, especially considering it’s the only national monument within a 1-hour drive of Salt Lake. All the other national parks and national monuments are at least 3 hours away. You’ll find the visitor center just a couple miles up American Fork Canyon right next to the main road.

If you’re driving the Alpine Loop in Utah and looking for a nice hike to see fall colors, the trail offers some amazing vistas of the canyon and Utah Valley. If you want to make the trek to see the cave plan on investing about 3-4 hours. It’s a steep 3-mile roundtrip hike plus a one hour tour of the cave.

2. Saw Mill Picnic Area

The next stop along the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway is the Saw Mill Picnic Area. Here you’ll find a day-use camping area with fire pits and picnic tables next to a creek. Both sides of the creek are lined with oak and maple trees, making it a wonderfully picturesque place for a picnic. Picnic tables are first-come, first-serve. Arrive early if you want to claim a spot for lunch.

3. Tibble Fork Reservoir

Tibble Fork is a small man-made reservoir in American Fork Canyon. Driving up the canyon, you’ll come to a fork in the road with Alpine Loop Road to the right and American Fork Canyon Road to the left. For now, take the left and come back to finish the loop after a quick detour. Tibble Fork is very popular in the summer for paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing. But in the fall, the crowds are gone and you can just enjoy the beautiful scenery or take a quick walk around the lake. The lake is surrounded by evergreens, so this isn’t is leaf peeping spot. Just a picturesque mountain lake. If you’re lucky and feeling adventurous, some days in the fall still have temps in the 70s and 80s so you could still paddleboard. Having the lake to yourself like that is surreal, as I can attest from experience!

4. Pine Hollow Trailhead

If all you’re looking for on this drive is a nice spot for a photo of the fall colors, this is the perfect place. The parking lot for the Pine Hollow Trail overlooks American Fork Canyon and always has vibrant reds and yellows in the fall. You can also see part of Mount Timpanogos, covered in aspen groves with yellow leaves. If you want to hike here, you can do that as well. The trail is moderately challenging 4.3 mile loop through forests and meadows, with some nice mountain views. There’s not a particular main attraction, so you also don’t need to complete the whole trail to enjoy it.

5. Timpooneke Campground

Right around Timpooneke Campground is when you start to get to high enough elevation where the aspen groves are. Before this point, it’s mostly oak trees. But one of the big draws of Alpine Loop in Utah is driving the seemingly endless seas of aspen trees, especially when they hit their peak with the bright yellows leaves. There are many places with small turnouts where you can park and take photos in meadows or aspen groves, but Timpooneke Campground offers a large parking lot so you don’t have to worry about fighting for parking along the narrow canyon road (Alpine Loop can get pretty crowded in the fall, especially on weekends). There are lots of hiking trails here as well, including the one you’d use to summit Mount Timpanogos. Whether you stop here to stroll among the aspen or somewhere along the road over the next few miles, there are some killer views to be had.

6. Cascade Springs

Cascade Springs is another stop that would be a slight detour off the main Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, though many consider it part of the Alpine Loop experience. From Alpine Loop Road, a few miles past Timpooneke, take a left down SR-144 for about 15 minutes. There’s an easy 1.2 mile trail that takes you through small waterfalls, cascades and ponds. It’s paved the whole way, so it is stroller-friendly. Parts of the trail are somewhat steep, but overall it’s an easy stroll. And you don’t have to complete the entire 1.2 miles. There are three different loops, so if you’re short on time just pick one instead of doing all three. It’s a very quaint, relaxing place to visit any time of year but especially in the fall.

7. Aspen Grove

Aspen Grove and Aspen Grove Family Camp are specific places on the map, but there isn’t just one main spot to get out for a photo opp. I simply included it on the list because one you get back on the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway from Cascade Springs, almost that entire stretch of road is driving through groves of aspen. There are places to get out and hike, if you wish, like Timpanogos Falls or Stewart Falls. But since this post is just focused on the scenic drive, just enjoy this part of the drive and keep an eye out for photo opps with the yellow aspen leaves.

8. Final Stop Along the Alpine Loop in Utah: Sundance Resort

I saved the best for last! Sundance Resort is my favorite stop along the Alpine Loop. That’s because there’s so much to do, even in the fall. It’s much more than a ski resort. There are some great mountain biking trails and even a zipline course. Zooming through the trees and over the canyons hundreds of feet in the air is a rush unlike any other I’ve experienced. Or you can just take it easy, and go for a calm ride up the ski lift to the mountain top.

The view of the fall colors with Mount Timpanogos as your backdrop are incredible. Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat at the mountain-top lodge. Bearclaw Cabin is famous for its nachos. Not your typical fall treat, but I’d place “ride Ray’s Lift in the fall and eat nachos at Bearclaw Cabin” high on my Utah bucket list if I were you!

alpine loop scenic byway sundance resort

Things to do Near the Alpine Loop in Utah

For more things to do in the fall near the Alpine Loop in Utah, make sure to check out this related content:

Where to Stay Along the Alpine Loop in Utah

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay along the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, there are no hotels. There are several campsites you can reserve. But I recommend looking for a cabin near Sundance on Airbnb or Vrbo like this one.

Hopefully by now I’ve convinced you that the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway is one of most scenic drives and best places to see the fall colors in Utah. But here’s a final word of advice – don’t try to cram in all these stops on a single drive. We’ve made this a family tradition every fall and usually pick a couple so we can take our time without feeling rushed from place to place. But if you’re visiting from out of state and feeling ambitious then go ahead and make a day of it!

See you out there on the road.

-JJ

Our family is on a mission to experience the best our home state of Utah has to offer and help other families find affordable, kid-friendly adventures in the process. You can follow us on Instagram @theminivanbucketlist or download our free printable The Ultimate Family-Friendly Utah Bucket List with the top 100 things to do in Utah, both kid-friendly and more adventurous.