6 Amazing Outdoor Experiences for Fall in the Southwest

Autumn brings the Southwest’s most comfortable weather, with summer’s heat giving way to enjoyable temperatures ideal for hiking, biking, and various adventures. The cottonwoods and oaks in the canyons burst into vibrant yellows and golds, enhancing the beauty of the region's iconic red rocks. Additionally, with fewer thunderstorms after September, adventurers can typically expect extended periods of clear blue skies as they traverse the mesas and explore the rock-lined canyons.

Discover some of the Southwest’s must-do fall adventures—and the best spots to experience them.

1. Navigate the Slickrock Terrain

• Location: Moab, Utah
• Book a tour: Coyote Land Tours, $59 per person

Jeep enthusiasts travel from all corners of the globe to challenge their skills (and their vehicles) on Moab’s renowned slickrock. For those who prefer to enjoy the scenery without the stress of driving, consider booking a guided 4x4 adventure with Coyote Land Tours. Their skilled drivers will take you on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog equipped with massive tires that grip the steep, rugged slopes of Hell’s Revenge Trail—one of Moab’s most thrilling and picturesque 4x4 routes. Marvel at the vast expanse of fossilized sand dunes, discover dinosaur remains, and be amazed by your vehicle's capability to navigate rock fins and pinnacles that most cars can’t approach.

2. Explore Little Wild Horse Canyon

• Location: Goblin Valley, Utah

With the reduced likelihood of flash floods in fall, it’s the ideal time to hike slot canyons like Little Wild Horse, which winds through sandstone near Utah’s Goblin Valley State Park. When the weather looks favorable, embark on this playful journey through twisted walls that can be so narrow hikers may need to sidestep to pass through the gaps. Erosion from water and wind has sculpted the stone into striking patterns that are a photographer’s dream. Enjoy a short out-and-back hike of any length, or continue through the canyon for 3.6 miles, turning left onto a 4x4 road that links to Bell Canyon (creating an 8-mile loop).

3. Conquer Sheer Cliffs

• Location: Telluride, Colorado
• Book a tour: Mountain Trip, starting at $185 per person

Hikers are secured by cables, iron footholds, and ropes as they navigate Telluride’s Via Ferrata, a route that hugs the cliffs above the town. Mountain Trip offers both equipment and expert guides, kicking off the five-hour journey near the base of Bridal Veil Falls, a stunning 365-foot waterfall cascading down the east wall of the box canyon encasing Telluride. But it’s not just the rocks that captivate: in September and October, the valley’s aspens and cottonwoods transform into vibrant shades of yellow, creating breathtaking vistas as you traverse the cliffs and enjoy panoramic views across the valley.

4. Cycle Through Zion Canyon

• Location: Zion National Park, Utah
• Cost: $35 vehicle entrance fee, nps.gov

From March to late November, Zion Canyon Road is closed to private vehicles, prompting visitors to rely on the park’s shuttles to reach the famous viewpoints and trailheads along this scenic route. Biking presents a fantastic alternative to buses, allowing riders to stop and capture the stunning red sandstone cliffs lining the road. You don’t need to be an Ironman to enjoy this ride: the paved path runs alongside the Virgin River for eight miles on a gentle grade, connecting the visitor center to the Temple of Sinawava, where impressive sandstone towers soar nearly 3,000 feet above the river.

E-bikes make the journey even more accessible, and Zion Cycles in Springdale provides both motor-assisted and traditional bike rentals. Remember to bring a lock to secure your bike while you hike to the Emerald Pools (1.2 to 3 miles round-trip, depending on your chosen destination) or Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles round-trip, permit required). You can also enjoy cycling among the cottonwoods along the Virgin River, which turn brilliant shades of yellow in October and early November.

5. Trek the Templeton Trail

• Location: Oak Creek, Arizona
• Cost: $5 Red Rock Pass needed for parking at Bell Rock

This delightful trail meanders through vibrant red buttes south of Sedona, Arizona—these striking formations are captivating no matter the season. However, autumn brings cooler temperatures that ignite a spectacular display of colors along the streams in the canyons, where oaks and cottonwoods flaunt shades of red, orange, and yellow. Starting from the trailhead near Bell Rock, follow the Templeton Trail for four miles (one way) as it dances alongside Oak Creek and circles the northern edge of Cathedral Rock, revealing stunning views of red cliffs and golden foliage.

6. Stargaze in Canyon Country

• Location: Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
• Cost: $25 vehicle entrance fee, nps.gov

With dry, desert air free from humidity that can intensify light pollution, New Mexico’s Chaco Canyon stands out as a premier stargazing destination—recognized by its ancient inhabitants as the best spot in the Southwest. These skilled astronomers constructed structures specifically for observing celestial bodies, and the Park Service upholds this legacy: since 2013, Chaco has been an International Dark Sky Park, featuring a modern observatory and offering stargazing programs. Autumn brings cloudless skies, perfect for viewing, and along with star parties on weekend evenings, rangers facilitate an Autumn Equinox program that allows guests to witness the alignment of Casa Rinconada (a ceremonial kiva) with the rising sun.