Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · RMNP

Zion Fall Color

Discussion

4 replies
Posted by GUYHARRISON on September 28, 2006 at 11:19 AM
We are thinking about a trip out west for fall color. It has been years since we shot fall at Zion and we would like to return there. Does anyone have information about what the conditions look like for a good or bad year, and when people are estimating the peak? We are flexible, but since we are coming from Florida we need to do some advance planning for airfares etc.

By the way, this is my first post. We have some land near Ridgway (no home, yet), and the photos have left us longing to see Colo. again! We are amazed at the quality of the posted images--glad to have found this forum!

Guy Harrison
Posted by Dave Rodenbaugh on September 28, 2006 at 1:28 PM
Hi Guy,

Zion usually goes at the end of Oct into the first week or two of November. I have no other condition information aside from the fact it's too early to go right now. :wink:

Perhaps Guy, Nathan or other Utahns/recent visitors can chime in...
Posted by Guy Tal on September 28, 2006 at 1:54 PM
Dave is right - that's generally the best time for peak color in Zion. I don't have any current information from the park (and I wouldn't trust most rangers to know) but generally the last week of October is a good bet for the upper canyons, while the first or second week of november are good for the main Virgin River canyon.

The web-cam is showing just a hint of yellow in the main canyon:

http://www.untraveledroad.com/Webcam.htm?/USA/Parks/Zion

This is usually a good sign for the maples in the higher elevations.

Guy
Posted by Richard Wong on September 30, 2006 at 4:03 PM
Last year my mom and I went to the main canyon in the middle of November. The maples were peaking at that moment. The cottonwoods were yellow.
Posted by Jeff Hackett on October 2, 2006 at 11:25 PM
I just hiked (9/30) the Virgin River narrows with my wife and it is still very green in the main valley with small hints of yellow. Unbelievable hike! Or should I say wade.