Highland and Alpine sit at the mouth of American Fork Canyon at the foot of Mount Timpanogos, about 35 minutes south of Salt Lake City. They're quiet, residential mountain-bench towns — which is exactly why people who know the area choose to stay here instead of in the city. Here's what to do when you're in town.
Into the mountains
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Fifteen minutes from the suite, up American Fork Canyon. A steep 1.5-mile paved trail climbs to three connected limestone caves; ranger-led tours run in the warmer months and sell out on weekends, so reserve ahead. Bring water and go early — the trail is in the sun.
Alpine Loop Scenic Byway
The road over the shoulder of Timpanogos from American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon (SR-92). A slow, winding twenty miles with pull-offs, aspen groves and Cascade Springs. Peak color is usually late September into early October. The upper section closes for winter.
Tibble Fork Reservoir & Silver Lake Flat
Both up American Fork Canyon. Tibble Fork has a beach, paddleboarding and easy shoreline walks; Silver Lake Flat is a rougher road up to a high alpine lake and trailheads. Recreation passes are required in the canyon and available at the fee station.
Sundance Mountain Resort
About 35 minutes via Provo Canyon, or over the Alpine Loop in summer. Robert Redford's resort: skiing in winter, a summer lift and full-moon lift rides, the Tree Room and Foundry Grill for dinner, and the Owl Bar. Worth the drive for a meal even if you don't ski.
Thanksgiving Point & Lehi
Twelve minutes west. Ashton Gardens is 55 acres of themed gardens with a waterfall and the Light of the World sculpture garden; the tulip festival every spring is the busiest time. The Museum of Natural Curiosity is the pick with young kids, and the Museum of Ancient Life has one of the largest displayed dinosaur collections in the country. Thanksgiving Point also has the widest restaurant selection in the area and a farm-country section with animals and seasonal events.
Eating out
Highland and Alpine themselves are mostly residential, so dinner usually means a short drive. American Fork's downtown and the Lehi/Thanksgiving Point area cover everything from quick lunches to date night within 10–15 minutes. Provo's Center Street, twenty minutes away, has the most independent restaurants and the best evening energy in the valley. For a special dinner, Sundance's Tree Room is the one people drive up for.
Day trips
- Park City — about an hour via I-15 and I-80, or the Alpine Loop and Heber in summer. Main Street, Deer Valley, Utah Olympic Park.
- Salt Lake City — 35–40 minutes. Temple Square, the Natural History Museum, Red Butte Garden and the airport.
- Provo Canyon & Bridal Veil Falls — 25 minutes. An easy stop with a paved path to the base of the falls.
- Utah Lake — 20 minutes for paddleboarding and sunsets from the state park.
When to come
Summer (June–September) is peak canyon season: warm, dry days with cool evenings on the bench. Late September into October is the Alpine Loop's fall color. Winter brings Sundance skiing 35 minutes away and the big Cottonwood resorts about an hour; Highland gets snow but the roads are well kept. Spring means the tulip festival and green foothills, with the canyon roads opening back up by late May.
Where to stay
The Coco Nycole Highland Suite is a 2,000-square-foot private suite in Highland with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, a home theater, an exercise room and direct access to the Murdock Trail — a real base for the area rather than a place to pass through. It's rated 4.75 on Airbnb and can be booked directly here with no service fees.