Fall color in the Cottonwood Canyons should peak in early to mid-October, but drought and a record-warm winter could leave the 2026 display looking duller than usual.

OpenSnow meteorologist Alan Smith expects both northern and southern Utah to hit peak foliage in early to mid-October, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Wednesday, Sept. 9. OpenSnow's Fall Colors Map, which updates twice weekly, will track any shifts in that timeline.

Evan Thayer, OpenSnow's Utah forecaster, called the Cottonwood Canyons "always a safe bet for seeing the leaves change." But he cautioned that conditions remain unpredictable, noting that a single storm with high winds can ruin an otherwise good foliage year.

Utah's weather has been anything but normal. The state recorded its warmest winter on record in 2025–2026, followed by its second-warmest spring, according to KSL. Severe to extreme drought persists statewide, according to KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson, and reservoirs had fallen to 52% capacity by late August. That stress can dull colors and trigger earlier leaf drop, Smith said.

There is a bright spot.

July and August rainfall both exceeded the state median by roughly an inch each, a jump of about 57% and 55%, respectively, according to Natural Resources Conservation Service data cited by the Tribune. Smith said warm days paired with cool nights heading into fall can boost vibrancy.

The Farmers' Almanac rates the interior West as "Fair / Mixed" for 2026, noting that a lot depends on elevation and local moisture. One mountain valley may perform well while a nearby dry basin struggles, the almanac said.

Red bigtooth and Rocky Mountain maples are the first trees to turn, lighting up middle and upper elevations in mid-September, Thayer said. Quaking aspens follow as color spills downhill. Golds from aspens and narrowleaf cottonwoods, plus reds and oranges from maples and Gambel oak, make up Utah's signature palette.

MoreThanJustParks.com forecasts Salt Lake County's peak leaf week from Sept. 30 through Oct. 6. The site warns its predictions could be off by up to 15 days in either direction because it has no calibration sites in the West.

Cottonwood Heights and Holladay residents heading up Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon can check OpenSnow's Fall Colors Map for real-time updates before planning a drive. The National Weather Service's fall outlook favors above-normal precipitation for Utah through November, which could help late-season color hold longer.

Upcoming in the community:

  • Snowbird Oktoberfest continues on weekends up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Details here.
  • Canyons Family Center is offering free mental health classes for students. More information.