Best Fall Hikes in Northern Utah (with No Crowds)
Looking for epic fall hikes with plenty of autumn brilliance but prefer to avoid the overcrowded trailhead parking lots and excessive foot traffic on every trail (looking at you Cottonwood Canyons in Salt Lake City)? Head north for plenty of hiking trails with vibrant deciduous trees and stellar views. Here are five of the best fall hikes in Northern Utah without the crowds.
Ice Box Canyon, Ogden: 3 mile loop OR 5 mile lollipop
One of the first fall hikes I completed after moving to Ogden was this one and it still holds a special place in my heart. The canyon offers a shady, steady hike up beneath rock walls and plenty of fall color. The connecting Ice Box Trail then alternately winds through open fields with epic views and beneath forested canopies alongside a year-round creek. Beauty and quiet is unmatched (though the lower trailhead can get busy on weekend mornings)!
I prefer to start at the base of Wheeler Creek Trail, hike up and around the loop, then come back down in a lollipop-shaped route. But you can cut off about 2 miles by starting at the higher Art Nord Trailhead and just hiking the triangle-shaped loop of Ice Box Canyon. That section has the best views of Snowbasin and fall foliage, but Wheeler Creek is no slouch either.
Sardine Peak, Huntsville: 5.5 miles, out-and-back OR 9 mile loop
Head to Snowbasin ski resort for some excellent fall foliage hikes. My favorite: the long but gradual hike up Sardine Peak. You’ll start at the Maples Trailhead, then take the wide gravel Wheeler Creek Trail to Ogden Overlook Trail and Sardine Peak Trail (if you want to go all the way to the top). Along the way you’ll pass red maples, yellow aspens, and might even spot some wildlife.
You can complete the whole long Sardine loop by hiking to the top and back down the other side, or take a shorter trek to the Ogden Lookout and head back the way you came for a shorter but no less exceptional excursion. The back half of the trail is a popular downhill route for mountain bikers, so stay alert. Remember: you technically have the right of way as a hiker, but if you hear or see them coming it’s nice to step aside for them.
Paper Airplane, Powder Mountain: 4 miles, out-and-back
There are lots of stunning trails around Powder Mountain, but our favorite for fall colors and big views may be Woody’s World to Paper Airplane. Start at the Trailhead to Woody’s World and wend through vibrant aspen forest alive with yellow and orange. One you hit Paper Airplane, the trail opens up and you get big views of the surrounding Wasatch mountains, Pineview Reservoir, and winding mountain roads curving through the trees. Plus: a giant metal paper airplane sculpture.
Start at the Woody’s World Trailhead on Summit Rd. and hike the relatively easy trail until it runs into Paper Airplane. Continue straight for another .5 miles or so until you get to the sculpture and view of the valley, then turn around and retrace your steps.
Chilly Peak, North Ogden: 10 Miles, out-and-back
Looking for a challenging hike with unmatched scenery? Head to Chilly Peak, a lesser-known peak hikers often pass without notice on their way to Ben Lomond (a 16-mile round-trip). Hike to this one, though, and you get all the views of surrounding mountains and stunning scenery but with less aggressive milage. The first couple of miles are a tough hike up switchbacks, but views of Mount Ogden and Pineview Reservoir abound, as do colorful oak tees. And once you reach the ridge, you’ll be practically skipping through colorful deciduous trees and evergreens and marveling at the wide expanse of the valleys on either side.
Start at the North Ogden Divide Trailhead and take North Skyline Trail up until you reach the peak, which may require mild off-trail exploration to get to the very top.
Hidden Valley Trail, Ogden: 5 miles, out-and-back
This trail is never crowded for one reason: it’s tough. There’s significant elevation gain the entire 2.5 miles there and it is steep. But it’s worth it for the vibrant oak, colorful mountain views, and the hidden vista of the canyon beneath majestic Mount Ogden, which is only visible from the top of the trail.
Start at 22nd Street Trailhead and take Indian Trail up until it branches off to Hidden Valley Trail. The fork isn’t marked, so bring a digital map and pay close attention. Then take the trail all the way to the lookout where it joins Taylor Canyon Trail. You can descend on that trail and Bonneville Shoreline Trail to make the hike a loop if you prefer––the milage is similar.
