ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah - While leaves are falling off trees in much of the state, in southern Utah the fall colors have just begun to turn.
Visitors are flocking to Zion National Park to get a look at the color on color views.
The leaves typically turn later in the season, mostly due to the lower elevation and milder climate. They also attract artists and photographers. The array of colors are one reason the park hosts a Plein Air Art invitational during the first week in November.
“Its autumn, so you’d think it would be much more red and dry,” said Lauri Carpenter, who is visiting from Illinois. “So to have the color going on against the red, I’m finding that to be stunningly beautiful.”
The fall colors do mean more crowds. With the shuttles in the garage until spring, if you’re headed to Zion National Park, plan for limited parking. But visitors said the views make any hassle worth it.
“It’s just a much nicer time to be out enjoying nature,” Tourist Jim McDougal said. “All this majestic beauty. I don’t know if I would want to come to Zion in July.”
Only a few yellow trees can be seen among the green now, and in the coming weeks, more and more colors will emerge.
