Let me share with you one of my favorite spots for incredible fall color in Park City.

Bonanza Flat sits just over the top of Empire Pass, along the road toward Guardsman Pass, and it is one of those places that feels almost too beautiful to be real in the fall. Tucked right between some of Park City and Salt Lake Valley’s most spectacular mountain passes, Bonanza Flat is filled with groves of aspen trees that turn the most gorgeous golden yellow when autumn arrives. The perfect spot for engagement pictures.

And golden yellow aspen leaves in the fall are my most favorite thing.

Well, okay — one of my most favorite things. I love the autumn too much to choose just one.

Why I Love Bonanza Flat for Fall Photos

If you’re looking for a location for fall engagement photos in Park City, Bonanza Flat should absolutely be on your list.

The landscape here gives you so much variety without having to travel from one location to another. There are winding mountain roads in the background, open alpine meadows, incredible mountain views, and, of course, those beautiful clumps of glowing aspens.

The aspens are especially magical in the late afternoon when the sunlight filters through the leaves. Everything takes on that warm, golden glow that makes fall in the mountains feel so quintessentially Colorado.

No. UTAH.

And that’s exactly what I love about photographing couples here. The setting feels distinctly Rocky Mountains, but the photos don’t have to feel overly posed or like you’re simply standing in front of a pretty tree. It’s so close and accessible from Park City but there is room to walk, explore, laugh, snuggle up (if you are like me, trip over a rock in the trail), and just let the landscape become part of the story.

Bonanza Flat Engagement Sessions

For couples planning a Park City engagement session, Bonanza Flat is one of my favorite choices when we’re photographing during the fall.

It’s particularly beautiful for couples who want their engagement photos to feel relaxed and outdoorsy while still looking elevated and editorial. You can dress up, bring a favorite sweater or jacket for the changing temperatures, and spend some time simply enjoying the mountains together.

And if you’re anything like me, you may find yourself wanting to stop every five minutes because will you just look at those aspens?!

I won’t judge you and yes, I see them and I will stop and just look at them too.

When to See Fall Colors at Bonanza Flat

Fall color in the Park City mountains is one of the hardest things to predict. The timing changes from year to year depending on temperatures and weather and drought conditions… but generally, mid September through early October is when I start watching the aspens closely.

The beautiful thing about photographing fall in Park City is that the color doesn’t happen everywhere at exactly the same time. That means we can choose locations based on where the leaves are looking their best when your session arrives.

And that is one of the reasons I love being a Park City wedding photographer. I don’t just want to give you a list of locations and tell you to pick one. I want to help you choose the place that will be beautiful when we’re actually there.

Planning a Park City Fall Engagement Session?

If you’re planning a wedding or engagement session in Park City and dreaming of golden aspens, mountain views, and that unmistakable feeling of fall in Utah, Bonanza Flat is absolutely worth considering.

And if you aren’t sure which Park City location is right for you, that’s where I come in. There are so many beautiful places around Park City — from Empire Pass and mountain overlooks to charming downtown streets and private resort properties — and each one gives your photographs a completely different feeling.

Your engagement session should feel like the two of you and not like you’ve simply checked “pretty Park City location” off a list.

Let’s find the place that feels like your story.

Looking for more Park City engagement photo locations? You can find them HERE.