Fall colors cause a canyon craze

It's fall in Utah and the canyons are packed. People come from all around to take pictures, and with the crowds come challenges.

Friends and family come into the canyon together to see the changing leaves. Lily LeBaron came from Lehi with her friends to take pictures.

"It's mostly just to see all the trees and the colors," LeBaron said. "It's so pretty right now. It's October first, so it's fun to take pictures for fall and bringing in the new season."

A lot of people share Lily's love for Utah's beauty, especially in the months of September and October and Provo Canyon, mainly Khyv Road and the Alpine Loop, have become the most frequented photo ops.

With people come cars. The Utah County Sheriff's Office addressed Traffic Concerns in a Facebook post. They specifically addressed traffic in the American Fork Canyon Area, but stated it applies to all of Utah's scenic areas after they had to close several roads on the weekends to clear out traffic issues.

Utah Native Grace Bennett goes up the canyon every fall and has seen a change in population and traffic this season.

"This year it has gotten way worse," Bennett said.

This year, she and her friends attempted to go up Khyv Road but got stuck halfway up. People parked on both sides of the road, prohibiting through traffic. People going up and down the mountain were stuck for hours until the Sheriffs arrived.

"A lot of people were angry because they made this 30-minute trek up a dirt road to almost get there," Bennett said.

These photo spots have become viral on social media, with some creators posting the location and some refusing to share it.

"They kind of want to keep this secret so stuff like this doesn't happen," Bennett said.

The peak of fall colors in Utah's canyon usually occurs the first week of Oct. and dry out later in the month.

You can stay up to date with canyon traffic and parking regulations on U-Dot Timpanogos Area's website and Facebook page