With its vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves; perfect temperatures with refreshingly crisp mornings and evenings, and no shortage of fun and relaxing things to do and see, fall is a fantastic time to be an Ogden Valley local (or honorary local). Here is a list of 10 fun fall adventures to have in Huntsville, Eden, and Liberty, in what is, for many, their very favorite season.

1. PICNIC IN THE SKY

There are many great picnic spots located throughout the Valley, including North Fork Park, Huntsville Park, Eden Park, and Liberty Park. One spot you may not know about is up on Powder Mountain, between Paper Airplane Trail and Woody’s Trail. Here among the vibrant gold-colored aspens and towering pines, you’ll find a deck that’s a perfect place to enjoy a picnic with friends, family, or a romantic date. Some tasty fall picnic food ideas include: a thermos of chili or pumpkin soup, turkey-cranberry-cream cheese wraps, apple-feta salad, mini pumpkin cheesecakes or pecan pie bars, and apple cider.

2. PROVE YOUR METAL

The Ragnar Forge isn’t just a cool-looking, historic building in Eden; it’s a fully functioning blacksmith shop—and a fantastic place to hang out on a chilly autumn day! Traditional blacksmith Aaron Richardson invites guests to tour the shop and to watch him work Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00AM-6:00PM. Or, if you’ve ever wanted to try you hand at working with metal, you can take a class here (1 or 2 people 18 or older, or younger if with a parent) for $50/hour per person. If you’ve already taken the class and want to use the tools and forge, it’s $40/hour. Register online www.ragnarforge.com or call 801-830-8370. Ragnar Forge is located across the street from Eden Park, 2145 North 5500 East, in Eden.

3. SAY CHEESE!

With Ogden Valley’s colorful foliage, majestic mountains, and beautiful lake, the fall is a fantastic time to have outdoor family photos taken. With school back in session, it becomes abundantly (and for many, painfully) clear that the kids are growing—and fast. Don’t let the opportunity to capture these precious moments slip away; have photographs made and every time you look at them, you will be transported back to relive your precious memories. As an added bonus, you can use your fall family photos for your upcoming holiday cards! (Hint: They also make great, personal holiday gifts for grandparents and other relatives.)

4. MAKE A RUN FOR IT

If you’ve ever dreamed of running a marathon, the Huntsville Marathon is an all-time favorite. Not only is it a Boston qualifier with impressive winners’ prizes, it’s Utah’s fastest course with a gentle decline of 3,500 feet. What’s more, the Huntsville Marathon boasts a history of ideal running temperature averages (38 degrees in the early morning, 55 degrees come midmorning, and 70 degrees in the afternoon) and spectacular views along the Utah State Scenic Byway. It includes a free children’s run (up to age 8) and is a lot of fun to volunteer for, too! This fall, the Huntsville Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, September 18. For more information check out www.huntsvilleutahmarathon.com or call 801-745-3420.

5. GIRL TIME

Fall is a busy time, with school, work, home projects, sports—sometimes it can be overwhelming! It’s important to take a break from the everyday frenzy every now and then, and no one knows this better than the mother-and-daughter team at EmieJames, located at 5522 East 2200 North in Eden. On Saturday, September 25 at 10:00AM, EmieJames is hosting Girls’ Day Out. They’ll be featuring a series of hands-on workshops including: how to design your own fresh garland, how to cook fall soups, baking Eden high apple pie, keynotes by a health and wellness specialist, and jewelry making. EmieJames’ workshops are all about making new friends, making (and eating!) delicious food, and lots of fun and laughter while learning new skills. Check their website, www.emiejames.com to register, and for up-to-date workshop information.

6. SNOWWIESEN AT SNOWBASIN

Pull out your lederhosen or dirndl for Snowbasin’s fall festival, which is in full swing in its base area Sundays running: September 12, 19, 26, and October 3, 12:00PM-5:00PM. This popular celebration, inspired by Munich, Germany’s Oktoberfest, presents live music by bands like the Freddie Schnicklfritz Band and Saltzburger Echo, activities, contests such as Masskrugstemmen (stein holding competitions) and Hammerschlagen (hammering nails into a stump), lip-smacking German food, and refreshing beer, featuring Rooster’s special SnowWiesn Hef. This popular celebration aims to achieve the Bavarian sense of gemutlichkeit—the universal language of friendliness, coziness, and good cheer, and is a wonderful way to enjoy a beautiful fall day in the mountains. Check out https://www.snowbasin.com/events/detail/snowwiesn for more info.

7. GO (SEE THE) FISH!

Have you ever experienced the Kokanee salmon run at Causey Reservoir? Every September and October, thousands of salmon swim up the South Fork of the Ogden River to lay their eggs. There are three ways to best experience the local salmon run. First, and reportedly the best way, is to cross the dam and then canoe, kayak or SUP to see them. Second, you can hike Skull Creek Trail. It’s a popular and moderately difficult hike of about 2.5 miles from the Skull Creek Canyon parking area. Lastly, you can sometimes see some salmon by driving to the tributary on the north side of Causey Reservoir. Drive to Causey but instead of going over the dam, like you would for the previously mentioned ways, keep left and head up Wheat Grass Canyon on a dirt road. Park near a smaller dam and take a short jaunt down the creek. Whichever way you choose to go, make sure not to disturb the fish or their precious eggs. The salmon run is quite a sight to behold, and sure to become a beloved tradition for the whole family!

8. TIPI TIME

Honoring Ogden Valley’s Native American heritage and bringing their tradition of gathering to the present day, Compass Rose, a boutique hotel in Huntsville Town, proudly offers two tipis in which to gather. Created for an authentic look and feel by the same people who made the tipis in the movie, “Dances With Wolves,” one is called “Four Directions” and has a stars theme, the other is called “Chasing Horses,” featuring a horse theme. Each holds 8-10 people and comes with chairs, pillows, blankets, and heaters to keep you cozy on chilly autumn days and evenings, as well as smudge sticks and fire pits lit outside. These tipis provide fun and unique settings for book club or wine clubs, family or friend get-togethers, dates, birthday parties—you name it! You can rent a tipi for $55/hour on weekdays and $65/hour on weekends and holidays. (Hint: First Lift Coffee also sells s’mores packets so you can make ooey-gooey treats while in your tipi!) Visit www.compassroselodge.com or call (385) 279-4460 to reserve your tipi.

9. WHAT’S SUP?

With its cooler temperatures, brightly colored foliage, and fewer people on the water, fall is a wonderful time to paddle board. Many can attest that paddle boarding (also known as “SUP,” short for “stand-up paddleboard”) is one of the best ways to get some mountain fresh air and get some healthy, low impact cardio exercise, too! You can do it alone, allowing yourself to relax and recharge your batteries. Or, you can go in a small group or larger group. Bring your dog, your children, and your great-grandpa! Whether you’ve already discovered a love for SUP or want to give it a try for the first time, it’s a great way to explore Pineview or Causey Reservoir. This fall, you can rent SUP, canoes, and kayaks at several shops, including: Ogden Valley Sports (visit www.ovs.rocks or call 801-410-0403), Pineview Adventure Rentals (visit www.pineviewadventurerentals.com or call 801-823-5507), or ClubRec (visit www.clubrecutah.com or call 801-745-3038).

10. EXPLORE THE ML LODGE

Have you had the chance to visit the new Mountain Luxury lodge? Located at 3632 North Wolf Creek Drive in Eden, it’s been designed with an inviting, mountain modern esthetic that celebrates Ogden Valley’s breathtaking autumnal vistas and the friendly, adventurous, and innovative community that thrives here. Office space and ski lockers can be leased here (call 801-745-8400 for details), and if you want to host a private event, arrangements can be made by dialing 801-745-3194.

Peddlers Cafe and Catering is now open in Mountain Luxury lodge. The cafe presents fresh and delicious breakfast, lunch, and snack foods and beverages and is open Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) 8:00AM-4:00PM. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite en route to, or on your way home from, Powder Mountain, Wolf Creek Golf Course, or the Club at Wolf Creek Resort, or to connect with friends over smoothies and sandwiches. To peruse the menu or for more information, visit www.peddlerscatering.com or call 385-600-6150.

Book your fall adventure in the mountains. View available lodging or reserve an event space.