Just a few decades ago, the Salt Lake Valley had tons of wide-open, rural spaces. Little by little, those fields of hay and alfalfa were replaced by thousands of homes and hundreds of strip malls. Luckily, there are still a few farms and ranches here and there, and one of them is well-known for its epic fall festival in Utah. If you’ve never visited Cross E Ranch in the fall, this is the year to go!

Cross E Ranch is a family-owned farm and ranch operated by the 5th and 6th generations of the Hinckley family. Every fall, it hosts an epic, family-friendly Fall Festival, and you're going to want to put it on your calendar now.
Cross E Ranch/Facebook
The fall festival typically starts in mid-September and goes through the month of October. Block out an entire day because there's a lot to see and do here.
Cross E Ranch
Start with a hay ride, where you'll tour the ranch, meet the cows, and learn a little bit about the ranch's history.
Then, get ready for a day of non-stop family fall entertainment. The mega slides send you flying 100 feet down the hill ...
Cross E Ranch
... and the jump pad will burn off some of the kids' energy.
Cross E Ranch/Facebook
Let the kiddos catch their breath for a minute while they play in the corn pit. You'll find 10 tons of corn in this pit, and you can enjoy a shady spot to sit and relax for a bit.
Cross E Ranch/Facebook

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Get lost in the huge corn maze. There's a fun new design every year and the maze always covers more than a dozen acres, with trails inside that are several miles long. This is one of Utah's best corn mazes.
Cross E Ranch
Choose a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. There are 20 different pumpkin varieties to choose from and many are perfect for carving.
Cross E Ranch
All of this playing is certain to make you hungry, so grab some grub at the Cross E Grill. You can also bring a picnic of your own.
Cross E Ranch
You won't want to miss out on the ranch's famous apple cider donuts. Get 'em glazed or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar - either way, they're a tasty treat.
Cross E Ranch/Facebook
When the sun sets, gather around the fire pits. You can bring the fixings for s'mores, too.
Cross E Ranch
Starting in mid-September, the Fall Festival at Cross E Ranch in Salt Lake City is open Monday through Saturday. Your admission ticket gives you access to many of the activities available. However, the food, like the Cross E Ranch donuts, is an additional price.

Visit Cross E Ranch’s website to learn more about this fall festival in Utah and to buy your tickets online. Don’t forget to follow its Facebook page to see what’s happening at the ranch right now.

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More to Explore

things to do in fall in Utah

Courtnie Erickson | August 27, 2022

What are some things to do during the fall in Utah?

No matter the time of year, you’ll never get bored in Utah. However, fall is definitely one of our favorite times of year in Utah as the weather is cooler, the list of activities is long, and the entire state becomes absolutely beautiful. In fact, there are destinations scattered all around the Beehive State that you should check out during autumn.

If you are looking for things to do in Utah during the fall and places that will surround you with the most incredible fall foliage and stunning views, check out one of Utah’s many national parks. Each national park certainly offers its own beauty but some, like Zion, definitely deserve a spot on your bucket list during this time of year. For one, the crowds are much smaller in the fall months, the temperatures drop, and the red, yellow, and orange leaves pop as you explore.

There are also incredible scenic drives you must consider during the fall months in Utah. One of our favorite drives — and one we highly recommend — is the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway. Taking you from Nephi to Payson, you will climb nearly 9,000 feet and enjoy some of the most gorgeous views of the Wasatch Mountains and Mount Nebo. You’ll see some of the most vibrant fall foliage in the area and you may even want to stop and check out the hiking trails along the way — this is a terrific way to truly immerse yourself in Utah’s natural beauty.

What is a unique fall activity in Utah?

While a visit to Cross E Ranch (don’t forget your donut!), is a must every fall, there are other unique fall activities in the Beehive State that deserve a spot on your bucket list. One activity we highly recommend is a ride on the Pumpkin Train. Every fall, Heber Valley Railroad offers select rides throughout the month of October. This 40-minute train ride will take you on a historic standard coach, with costume characters, pumpkin cookies, and of course, a stop at the pumpkin patch to choose the perfect pumpkin. This activity may just become your new favorite family tradition.

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Cross E Ranch, 3500 2200 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA