Guide to Fall Colors in the Eastern Sierra (California)

Did you know that you can see vibrant fall foliage in California? Having moved here from New England, I was skeptical about finding true autumn colors in California. However I discovered that if you know where to look, you can find golden aspen groves that rival the maples of New England. 

In this guide to California fall colors I’ll share some of the best places to experience autumn in the Eastern Sierra. All of these destinations can be visited in a fall weekend road trip from the Bay Area or Los Angeles.

If you’re looking for more places to explore in California, browse my California destination guides.

Fall Colors in California: What to Expect?

In California autumn colors unfold in hues of yellow, primarily attributed to the leaves of aspen trees. In the Eastern Sierra mountains, these radiant golden tones complement the subtle oranges and greens of surrounding foliage. The rugged mountain peaks and mirror-like alpine lakes add to this stunning scenery.

The aspen leaves create a mesmerizing sparkling effect when rustled by the wind. It’s key to find a trail that lets you walk beneath the aspen trees, and in this guide to fall colors I’ll share all of my favorite spots!

Eastern Sierra Fall Color Locations

Eastern Sierra Fall Color Map

California Fall Color 2 Day Itinerary

Let’s start putting together an itinerary to find some California fall foliage! I’ll share some great destinations that you can easily visit in 2 days. Here’s how I’d suggest planning your visit:

Day 1: June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, and McGee Creek 
Day 2: North Lake and South Lake (Bishop) 

If you have time, throw in Rock Creek Road (located south of McGee Creek and north of Bishop).

June Lake Fall Colors

The June Lake route (Highway 158) is off of Highway 395, just south of the town of Lee Vining. Allow ~2 hours to drive through and visit the loop. There are 4 major lakes along the route: Grant, Silver, Gull, and June lakes. Most of the lakes offer boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals. My favorite spots for fall colors are Silver Lake and the drive between Silver and Gull Lakes.

Grant Lake. The largest lake in the loop. You won’t find any fall foliage here, as the landscape is desert-like with no greenery. The lake is popular for boating.

Silver Lake. Silver lake is my favorite, with its aspen groves and dramatic mountains in the background. To visit the northern end, park near the boat ramp. At the southern end, park at the National Forest picnic area. The short trail from there that takes you through an aspen grove to the lakefront.

Gull Lake. Park at the Gull Lake marina. Admire the autumn colors from here, or hike the 2 mile trail that loops around the lake for a closer look. 

June Lake. Park at the June Lake marina on the southern end or at June Lake Beach on the northern end.

Other Things to Do on the June Lake loop:

If you have time, hike to Parker Lake, an Eastern Sierra lake lined with aspens. The trailhead is a short detour from the main road, and you’ll need to drive 2 miles on a dirt road (doable in a sedan). 

Stop in the cute town of June Lake for a meal or coffee break, and consider staying there overnight if you want to enjoy the fall foliage before day trippers arrive in the morning.

Convict Lake Fall Colors

Convict Lake is another great spot for fall colors in the Eastern Sierra and is a 15 minute drive from Mammoth Lakes. There’s an interesting story behind its name: In 1871, a group of inmates escaped to here from a prison in Carson city. The sheriff pursued them, a shoot-out took place, and the surviving convicts fled and were eventually captured in Round Valley.

You can explore the waterfront of Convict Lake in 30 minutes, walking along the accessible paved path next to the parking lot. The path runs through a lush aspen grove and takes you to a lakefront picnic area. 

If you have more time you can hike around the entire lake (2.5 mi). I think the best view is from the parking area though, since it directly faces the colorful mountains behind the lake.

Convict Lake is a popular area for fishing and you’ll see many skilled fishermen out in the water. You can also rent boats, paddleboards, and kayaks here.

McGee Creek Fall Colors

The next location on this fall color itinerary is McGee Creek, is a 25 minute drive from Mammoth Lakes. The last section of the road to get there is unpaved but doable for sedans.

From the parking lot at McGee Creek Trailhead, walk 1 to 2 miles along the trail before turning around and coming back the same way. The trail is gently inclined and not strenuous. However there is no shade, so bring sun protection. 

The trail splits and converges later; on the way up, keep to the left to stay close to the aspen groves and creek. The further you walk, the closer you’ll get to a dense aspen grove and the dramatic mountains behind it.

If you’re a backpacker or strong day hiker, consider making the trek up to Big McGee Lake!

North Lake Fall Colors

The North Lake area in California’s Eastern Sierra is a 30 minute drive from Bishop. There are many trails in the area and you could easily spend a whole day here if you like to hike.

North Lake

North Lake itself is a picturesque small lake framed by vivid fall foliage, towering mountains, and patches of tall grasses. Park at the North Lake Day Use parking lot, but if it’s full continue further down the road and turn right into the larger North Lake hiker parking lot. Be careful of oncoming traffic when driving here; the last section consists of a narrow dirt road. 

The lake conveniently located next to the parking area, but for a proper hike then check out Grass Lake. You’ll need to walk to the Grass Lake trailhead since parking at the trailhead itself is prohibited without a campground reservation.

Lake Sabrina

Another good spot for fall colors in the North Lake area is Lake Sabrina. Park at the Sabrina Lake trailhead for access to the trails. Keep an eye out for fall foliage and aspens along the creek next to the road. Walk along the Sabrina Basin trail, which will give you great views of the lake. If you’re up for a longer hike or backpacking trip, check out my guide to visiting the alpine lakes in this area. 

If you don’t feel like hiking then check out the Lake Sabrina boat landing, which has boats for rent and a cafe.

South Lake Fall Colors

The last stop on this 2-day itinerary for Eastern Sierra fall colors is South Lake. South Lake is a 25 minute drive from North Lake, or a 30 minute drive from Bishop. If you’re short on time, you can see a lot of autumn foliage here from your car. However plan to spend at least half a day here if you like to hike! 

The drive to South Lake is an attraction in itself, offering plenty of scenic places to pull over. When driving towards South Lake, you’ll see Misty falls on the left side. This large waterfall cascades down a rock wall and is surrounded by golden aspens. The falls are located on private property, so be mindful in trying to get a closer look.

South Lake is one of the best hiking destinations in the region, and I’d recommend checking out at least one trail here. I suggest Long Lake, a 4.7 mile hike. 

The Treasure Lakes and Tyee Lakes trails are also good options, and for a longer hike or backpacking trip check out my guide to the Chocolate Lakes Loop and Bishop Pass.

Bonus: While passing through Bishop, visit Erick Schat’s Bakery. Pick up a sandwich for your hike, or take home some pastries and fresh bread!

Rock Creek Lake Fall Colors (Bonus)

Although it may not fit into a 2-day Eastern Sierra itinerary, Rock Creek Lake is another great spot for fall season colors. Park at the Rock Creek Lake Trailhead or at the lot down Rock Creek Lake Campground Road, then walk the short loop around the lake.

Also check out the Little Lakes Valley Trail (my favorite day hike in the Eastern Sierra) at the end of Rock Creek Road.

Trip Planning Information

Best Time to See Eastern Sierra Fall Colors

Peak fall color in the Eastern Sierra occurs in October. The exact dates vary every year based on weather conditions, so keep an eye on trackers that monitor the current status of California fall color progression. California’s milder climate usually results in leaves lingering on the trees for an extended period, offering more flexibility when planning your visit compared to places like New England.

Some helpful California fall color trackers for the Eastern Sierra are: 
California fall foliage map
Mono Country fall color map

In the Eastern Sierra, the weather in October is typically sunny with little rain. Temperatures during fall season will be cool to warm during the day, and quite cold at night.

Useful Tips for a Eastern Sierra Fall Visit

• Limited phone service. Expect limited to no phone service in the Eastern Sierra. Download Google Maps of the area and hiking trail GPS information in advance. 
• Altitude awareness. Altitude sickness can occur above 8,000 ft elevation. The destinations suggested in this fall color itinerary are at ~8,000 to ~10,000 ft elevation. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and turn around if needed.
• Leave no trace.

Park Information

The Eastern Sierra fall color destinations in this guide are located in the Inyo National Forest. There’s no entrance fee or specific opening hours for the trailhead. Dogs are allowed on the trails.

How to Get to the Eastern Sierra

The Eastern Sierra fall color hotspots are located along Highway 395. The closest cities are Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop. The area is a ~5 hour drive from Los Angeles or the Bay Area.

If you’re coming from the Bay Area, the shortest route will likely be through Tioga Pass. Check that Tioga Road is still open for the season. This route passes through Yosemite Park, so be ready to pay the entrance fee and expect heavy traffic on weekends and holidays.

If you’re visiting in late October (typically past peak fall foliage), check current conditions as some roads may have already closed for the season. 

Most of the parking lots should have a restroom and bear boxes. Avoid leaving scented items in your car. Also plan to arrive early to get a parking spot, since many of the top spots for fall season color are popular with local tourists on weekends.

What to Bring to the Eastern Sierra in Autumn

If you plan to hike, check out my complete day hiking packing list.

• Trail Map. Download hiking trail maps for offline navigation. 
• Flannel Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. These will keep you warm and make your fall photos look stylish!
• Puffy Jacket. Women’s, Men’s. It gets very cold in the mornings and evenings in the mountains.
• Wool Hat.
• Hiking Shoes. Women’s, Men’s. If you plan on doing any fall hikes, get proper shoes. I do not recommend running or general athletic shoes because their lack of traction will cause you to slip.
• Hiking Socks. Women’s, Men’s. Wool is essential to keep your feet dry and blister-free.
• Hiking Pants. Women’s, Men’s. I love these pants because they are lightweight, durable, and have pockets.
• Hiking T-Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. Quick-drying T-Shirts are ideal.
• Sunscreen. In fall, the California sun is still strong. Protect your skin.
• Rain jacket. Women’s, Men’s. Mountain weather can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to get soaked in a sudden downpour. A rain jacket also doubles as a windbreaker.

Where to Stay in California’s Eastern Sierra

Camping in the Eastern Sierra

Although camping is usually a great budget option, I hesitate to recommend it in October since temperatures may drop below freezing at night and there are limited daylight hours. Additionally, many campsites in the Eastern Sierra will be closed for the season. 

That being said, if you’d like to camp, check out nearby Inyo National Forest campgrounds and BLM campgrounds.

Accommodation in the Eastern Sierra

Bishop
Budget: The Hostel California. Whether you choose a private room or shared dorm, this is a comfortable place to stay where you’ll likely meet other hikers. The kitchen will come in handy to prepare your hiking snacks.
Mid-Range: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Eastside Guesthouse and Bivy

Mammoth Lakes
Mid Range: Juniper Springs Resort
Splurge: The Westin Monache Resort

June Lake
Mid-Range: Heidelberg Inn
Splurge: Double Eagle Resort and Spa

Thanks for reading! I hope this guide helps you experience fall colors in the Eastern Sierra of California for yourself. Do you love autumn as much as I do? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

For more places to explore in California, browse my California destination guides.

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