Utah in October backpack trip advice needed

[acorad]

Hi all!

My son is a student at the U of Utah in Salt Lake City and would like to do a backpacking trip with me during his Fall Break which is the 2nd week in October (10/7 - 10/15).

He initially wanted to do a hike in the Uintas near Salt Lake, but we realize now that these mountains (~11,000 feet) will be very cold and potentially snowed in by early October.

So we're looking for a 2 or 3-night backpacking trip in southern Utah at lower elevations. We have 15F sleeping bags. Preferably somewhat near the I-15, as I'll be coming from SoCal.

I've looked at the obvious Southern Utah Nat'l Parks, and while they are really amazing, they also have some hurdles like non-potable water (cyanobacteria) and/or are 3-4+ hours away from the I-15, etc.

So I was hoping to find some non-Nat'l Park Southern Utah alternatives. It would also be nice, but not required, if I could scratch my fly-fishing itch as well.

Anyway, are there any non-Nat'l Park ideas?

TIA!

Andy

[robow8]

Here are some ideas: https://www.wasatchwill.com/search/labe ... -results=7