Summer is gone, but for many outdoor lovers, fall is the best time in Utah to get out and hike, golf or just take in the beauty of nature. It's cooler, and the changing color of shrubs and leaves adds a whole new visual texture to our state's varied landscape.

You probably have your own favorite fall haunts, but we've come up with five suggestions for hiking, golfing, fishing and driving on routes with spectacular colors, cool wildlife and fun.

For more hike suggestions, check our Hike of the Week database at www.sltrib.com/outdoors. For fishing news, visit the fishing report and Brett Prettyman's fishing blog at blogs.sltrib.com/fishing.

Golf

Sherwood Hills

Location » This nine-hole course is located almost exactly halfway between Brigham City and Logan on U.S. 89-91 in Sardine Canyon.

Why it's great in the fall » The course is at the base of the Wellsville Mountains in a beautiful canyon, with many holes cut out of thick stands of maple. The changing colors of aspen and maple leaves on the course and in the surrounding area make for a beautiful setting.

Cost » $14 for nine holes with a $7 cart fee. Senior discounts available.

Phone » 435-245-6055

Web site » www.sherwoodhills.com.

Hobble Creek

Location » Hobble Creek Canyon east of Springville in Utah County

Why it's great in the fall » A combination of oak brush, pine trees and a few aspens offer showy colors that surround the 18-hole golf course in the middle of the narrow canyon along the creek.

Cost » $26 for 18 holes Monday through Thursday; $28 on weekends and holidays for 18 holes, with a $16 cart fee.

Phone » 801-489-6297

Web site » www.springville.org/departments/golf

Mountain Dell

Location » Parleys Canyon 12 miles east of Salt Lake City

Why it's great in the fall » Considered the most scenic of Salt Lake City's golf courses, Mountain Dell features lakes and canyons surrounded by colorful autumn leaf displays in the fall. Sightings of wildlife such as moose, elk and deer on the course are common.

Cost » $27 for 18 holes with a $13 cart fee.

Phone » 801-582-3812

Web site » www.slcgov.com/publicservices/Golf/

Wasatch Mountain State Park

Location » Midway, Wasatch County

Why it's great in the fall » Few places in Utah can match the beauty of the Heber Valley in the autumn. The fact that there are four 18-hole layouts at Wasatch Mountain State Park and Soldier Hollow, as well as the private 18-hole Homestead course, makes a trip to Midway almost an annual must for most Wasatch Front golfers. Scrub oak, pines and aspen dominate the scenery.

Cost » State courses, $29 for 18 holes plus $13 cart rental with discounts for seniors and juniors. Homestead, $35 to $55 weekdays and $45 to $65 weekends and holidays including cart.

Phone » State Mountain and Lake Courses, 435-654-0532 (outside Salt Lake), 801-266-0268 (from Salt Lake); Soldier Hollow Gold and Silver Courses, 435-654-7442 (outside Salt Lake), 801-261-4733 (from inside Salt Lake); Homestead, 888-327-7220.

Web sites » State courses, stateparks.utah.gov/golf. Homestead, www.homesteadresort.com.

Bountiful Ridge

Location » 2400 S. Bountiful Blvd., Bountiful

Why it's great in the fall » Nestled on Bountiful's east bench with views of the Great Salt Lake below, this pretty course gets decorated with beautiful fall colors. It's not unusual to see deer on the course.

Cost » $24 for 18 holes with $12 cart fee. Senior discounts available.

Phone » 801-298-6040

Web site » http://www.bountifulutah.gov/Golf/index.aspf

- Tom Wharton

Fishing

Strawberry Reservoir

Location » Highway 40 between Heber and Duchesne

Why it's great in the fall » Trout anglers of all varieties start drooling when the weather develops a nip each fall. The big cutties at the 'Berry turn on and come to the shallows when the reservoir turns its water in the fall. They are big, hungry and can be easy to catch. Most anglers throw out the standard methods at Strawberry in the fall and start fishing bass style with plastics and big lures.

Yuba Reservoir

Location » Interstate 15, 30 miles south of Nephi, Juab County

Why it's great in the fall » The water is low this fall, which only means finding the northern pike at Yuba Reservoir is that much easier. Throw big Rapalas on the edges and hold on tight because these guys hit like freight trains. Watch your lure all the way to the boat because pike will often hit right under your feet. For some real fun, bring a fly rod and patterns loaded with fur and feathers. Don't forget your steel leader.

Uinta Mountains

Location » Northern Utah, namely along Highway 150

Why it's great in the fall » The crowds are not entirely gone, but it is not hard to find yourself alone in the Uintas after Labor Day, even on lakes along the Mirror Lake Highway. The fish are still there and, sensing six or seven months of being under ice, are looking to store up whatever fat they can manage. Baits, lures and flies will all work in the fall in the Uintas. Be prepared for changing weather.

Flaming Gorge

Location » Straddles the Utah/Wyoming border

Why it's great in the fall » Flaming Gorge is loaded with lake trout and it doesn't hurt to keep a couple for the table. The juvenile lakers, known as pups, run from about 5 to 15 pounds and, typical of all teenagers, they have quite an appetite. Laker fishing turns on in the fall. Jigging with lures and jigs on schools of gathered fish can fill up your cooler in a hurry.

Starvation Reservoir

Location » Northwest of Duchesne in Duchesne County

Why it's great in the fall » Cooling temps are also a turn-on for the big walleye at Starvation Reservoir. If you can handle it, fishing at night in the fall can be even more productive and may increase your chances of hooking into a bigger fish. Trolling is the best bet for catching walleye, but jigging on top of located fish can be more fun. Some large perch are being caught at Starvation this year and they may show up while fishing for walleye.

- Brett Prettyman

Drives

Alpine Loop

Location » SR 2 connects American Fork and Provo Canyons and can be accessed from either canyon, starting at the mouth of American Fork Canyon or partway up Provo Canyon.

Why it's great in the fall » This narrow two-lane road provides great views of both canyons and Mt. Timpanogos and is surrounded by all sorts of deciduous trees that turn amazing colors. Some portions of the road are almost tunnel-like, with trees providing a canopy.

Length » 24 miles. Plan on spending at least an hour driving it.

Places to stop » Timpanogos Cave National Monument and the trail leading to the cave, as well as its visitor center, is a popular destination, but it's a good idea to make advance reservations if you hope to visit the cave. There are some pretty picnic areas and campgrounds along the way and several nice side trips including Tibble Fork Reservoir on the North Fork road and Cascade Springs nature area closer to Provo Canyon. Sundance Resort provides snacks or elegant dining, while Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon is a popular place to enjoy a break.

Nebo Loop

Location » The Nebo Loop runs across the back (east) side of Mt. Nebo on Uinta National Forest road 015 and basically connects the towns of Payson on the north and Nephi on the south. Drive south from Payson up Payson Canyon or east of Nephi on SR 132 to the well-marked Nebo Loop road.

Why it's great in the fall » Mt. Nebo, the highest Wasatch Front peak at 11,877 feet, provides the backdrop, and some say the fall foliage displays rank with the most beautiful in the U.S.

Length » 32 miles of narrow paved road. Plan on at least 90 minutes.

Places to stop » There are a number of campgrounds, small lakes, hiking trails and horseback riding areas along the way as well as a dozen interpretive sites which interpret history, geology and recreation, according to the Utah Division of Travel. There are also six overlooks. The Devil's Kitchen almost looks like a miniature Bryce Canyon National Park and is definitely worth a stop.

Ogden Canyon-Monte Cristo

Location » SR 39 leading east from Ogden to the eastern Wasatch-Cache National Forest boundary, including the road around Pineview Reservoir.

Why it's great in the fall » The fall colors are gorgeous. Views of Pineview Reservoir, the Ogden River, and 9,148-foot Monte Cristo Peak add to the scenery.

Length » 44 miles one way. Plan on between 75 and 90 minutes just to drive the route, which is all paved.

Places to stop » That's one of the big draws here: there's so much to do. Take the kids to the Eccles Dinosaur Park or shop or dine at Rainbow Gardens at the mouth of Ogden Canyon. There are several fine restaurants in the canyon or at Snowbasin Resort for dinner (a personal favorite is the Shooting Star Saloon in Huntsville and its famous Starburger, which includes a polish sausage between two hamburger patties and two slices of cheese). Or play a round of golf at the Wolf Creek Resort, boat or fish on Pineview Reservoir or the Ogden River, visit the Huntsville Monastery, or visit one of several campgrounds.

Big Cottonwood Canyon-Guardsmen Pass

Location » Drive east of Salt Lake City on SR 190 to near the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, which connects to the well-marked Guardsman Pass road.

Why it's great in the fall » With the possible exceptions of City Creek, Mill Creek and Emigration, this is the closest canyon to enjoy autumn colors near thousands of Salt Lake County residents. Flowing water coupled with brightly colored leaves and cool temperatures make it a great destination.

Length » Big Cottonwood Canyon road is 15 miles long. Add another 14 miles if you drive Guardsmen Pass to Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway or a shorter distance to Park City, also a possible route. There are portions of the Guardsmen Pass road that are dirt and slightly rough but most passenger cars should have no problems.

Places to stop » There are two U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in Big Cottonwood Canyon as well as a number of hiking trails -- remember no dogs are allowed. A nature center at the top of the canyon at Silver Lake features a handicap-accessible wooden and paved trail around the lake which is a popular fishing stop. Dining stops such as the Silver Fork Lodge, Solitude Village and Brighton store make for good breakfast or lunch destinations. And there's always Park City shopping if you take that Guardsmen Pass route.

The Energy Loop: Huntington and Eccles Canyons

Location » This drive is in central Utah and connects the towns of Huntington off Utah Highway 10, Fairview of U.S. 89 and Colton off U.S. 6. Take SR 31 from Huntington to Fairview and SRs 264 and 96 from Fairview to Colton.

Why it's great in the fall » The drive, designated a National Scenic Byway, includes meadows, canyon streams, different types of changing leaf colors mingled with pines. Fishing on quality streams such as Huntington Creek or a variety of reservoirs can pick up when the weather cools.

Length » According to the Utah Division of Travel, the length is 85 miles and requires at least four hours drive time.

Places to stop » This a less developed area with fewer commercial places to see. Stop at Scofield Reservoir State Park, Huntington Creek, Electric Lake, or Huntington State Park as well as a number of smaller reservoirs to fish. There are a number of U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in the area as well as some working coal mines that give the byway its name. A stop at the historic Scofield Cemetery, which contains the graves of many miners involved in mining disasters in the area, is sobering.

- Tom Wharton

Hikes

Capitol Reef National Park

Location » SR 24 in Wayne County between Torrey and Hanksville.

Why it's great in the fall » The apples are ripe for picking and the orchards are open. Walk through the orchards in the morning to stock your backpack and then hit one of the numerous hikes in this under-rated national park with a tasty treat. The apples also provide some sweet ingredients for Dutch Oven deserts to cook back at the Fruita Campground, one of the best in the National Park System.

Cecret Lake

Location » Top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Albion Basin.

Why it's great in the fall » It won't be long before skiers are the only visitors to Cecret Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon. If you are looking for a fall hike with the family, this is a classic 2-mile round trip jaunt. The lake is not too difficult to reach and provides a nice setting for a picnic. Keep your eyes out for salamanders in the lake and enjoy the fall colors on the way.

White Pine Trail, Logan Canyon

Location » Tony Grove Lake Trailhead

Why it's great in the fall » This northern Utah canyon is often overlooked by those looking for fall colors, but it is hard to beat the view in Logan Canyon in the fall. For a cool high elevation, hike check out the White Pine trail starting at Tony Grove Lake. The trail provides some stunning views of Mt. Gog and Mt. Magog.

Lost Hunter, Duck Creek Campground, Kane County

Location » On SR 14, 28 miles east of Cedar City

Why it's great in the fall » Southern Utah has plenty of fall mountain scenery to go with its desert highlights. The Lost Hunter trail in the Dixie National Forest near Navajo Lake and Duck Creek is a 2 1/2 mile loop hike suitable for those looking for an easy stroll. Deer are common along the trail.

HawkWatch International migration site

Location » Goshute Mountains, 24 miles southwest of Wendover on U.S. 93

Why it's great in the fall » For a unique fall wildlife viewing experience head to Wendover -- actually just south of Wendover on the Goshute Mountains, where the folks from HawkWatch International are counting and catching migrating raptors. It is a bit of a strenuous hike, but the reward is seeing countless hawks cruising by and a chance to release one of the raptors captured for banding. Visit www.hawkwatch.org for details.

- Brett Prettyman