Where to See Fall Colors in the Eastern Sierra

Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Guide | Best Spots Near Mammoth & Bishop

The Eastern Sierra is hands down the best place to see fall colors in California. Every September and October, the aspen groves around Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, and Bridgeport turn golden, transforming Highway 395 into one of the most scenic fall road trips in the West. While California isn’t always the first state people think of for fall foliage, this region delivers some of the most dramatic alpine autumn views you’ll find anywhere.

In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite spots to catch fall colors in the Eastern Sierra Mountains — from lakeside hikes near Mammoth to Bishop Creek Canyon’s glowing valleys. I’ve spent years exploring these canyons and trails during peak season, and trust me, you don’t want to miss this show.

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Mammoth Lakes Basin

Best time: Late September – early October
Why go: Multiple alpine lakes framed by golden aspens
What to do: Drive up Lake Mary Road and stop at Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, and Lake George. Short trails around each lake make it easy to stretch your legs and capture reflections of the foliage.

Tip: Sunrise lights up the aspens along Twin Lakes.

McGee Creek Near Mammoth Lakes

Best time: Mid October
Why go: Golden trees and massive colorful mountain views
What to do: Hike the McGee Creek Trail. In the first mile alone, there are a ton of golden colors all around the creek and canyon. You don’t have to hike very far to get the beautiful IG-worthy Fall colors photos and it’s an easy, flat trail for the first several miles.

*Bonus* McGee Creek Campground is bursting with colors surrounding the campsites! The campground itself is seasonal and closes for the Fall/ Winter but it may still be worth checking out for Fall photos. It’s also right by a creek.

June Lake Loop

Best time: Early -Mid October
Why go: One of California’s most scenic fall drives
What to do: Highway 158 loops around June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake. It’s easy to drive but worth pulling over for short hikes like Parker Lake Trail or just wandering the shoreline.

Tip: Visit on a weekday if you can — weekends get packed.

Rock Creek Canyon

Best time: Late September (peaks earlier than others)
Why go: High-elevation canyon lined with aspen groves
What to do: Drive Rock Creek Road up toward Mosquito Flat Trailhead. Even if you don’t hike, you’ll pass pockets of color all along the road. Big Meadow Campground is a reliable spot for late-season foliage.

Tip: If you want a hike, the Little Lakes Valley Trail starts here and is stunning with early snow dustings. It’s an easy, flat-ish hike.

Bishop Creek Canyon (North Lake, South Lake and Lake Sabrina)

Best time: Late September – early October
Why go: One of the most photographed fall destinations in California
What to do:

• North Lake: Reflections of golden aspens along the shoreline = iconic photo stop.
• South Lake: Drive the road and pull over at the aspens tucked into the valley. This is one of the prettiest fall colors drive in California but the road gets super congested at peak season.
• Lake Sabrina: Trails leading into Sabrina Basin offer insane color if you catch it at peak. Hike 5-10 minutes on the Sabrina Lake Trail and you’ll get a breathtaking view of the lake and foliage around.

Tip: These lakes are some of the first to change, so plan this stop early in the season.

Lundy Canyon – Bridgeport, CA

Best time: Early – mid October
Why go: Waterfalls + aspens = magic combo
What to do: The Lundy Canyon Trail is full of aspens that light up in the fall which you reach in just 1-2 miles. Even the drive into the canyon delivers amazing roadside views.

Conway Summit (Bridgeport)

Best time: Mid October
Why go: Panoramic views near Mono Lake framed by bright aspen groves
What to do: Pull off at the vista point along Highway 395 — it’s one of the most famous fall photo stops in California. There are other pullouts nearby for views in all direction.

Green Lake Trail (Bridgeport)

Best time: Early – Mid October
Why go: A quieter, less crowded hike with high-elevation aspens
What to do: The Green Lake Trail climbs steadily and rewards you with views of foliage along the creek before reaching alpine lakes.

Mt Whitney Trail (Lone Pine)

Date visited: Oct 16-17, 2019
Fall foliage status: peaking only in certain areas
Where to go: within

Best time: Early – Mid October
Why go: If you’re lucky to win a Whitney permit or want to just hike to Lone Pine Lake, Fall foliage line up the trail lower down and the view from the roof of the US is stunning.
What to do: Just hike the first mile of the Mt Whitney Trail if you’re looking for fall colors closer south on the 395. You can hike this section up to Lone Pine Lake without Mt Whitney permits!

Other Places to See Fall Colors in Eastern Sierra Mountains

Other places I’ve visited in the past that are worth checking out during the season (just not sure about current status) are Big Pine Lakes, South Lake Trail in Bishop, Convict Lake, and Rae Lakes Loop on the west side of the Sierra in Sequoia.

For the most updated Fall color conditions in the Eastern Sierra, visit Mono County’s tourism page here 🙂

FAQ: Eastern Sierra Fall Colors

When is peak fall color in Mammoth?

Usually late September into early October. Higher lakes change first, while the June Lake Loop often peaks later.

When is peak fall color in Bishop?

Bishop Creek Canyon usually peaks in late September, but timing shifts each year with weather.

Is the June Lake Loop worth it in fall?

Absolutely — it’s one of the best fall drives in the state, with four lakes surrounded by glowing aspen groves.What are the fall colors in the Sierra Mountains?

Does California have fall colors?

There are several types of trees in the Eastern Sierra Mountains that change colors, mostly to yellow, orange, and shades of gold in between. We do not have the beautiful red leaves that is commonly seen on the East Coast unfortunately Some of the prominent tree species that undergo beautiful transformations in their foliage include:

• Aspen Trees: Aspen trees are renowned for their vibrant yellow and golden leaves during the fall season. They often create stunning groves of shimmering gold in the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
• Cottonwood Trees: Cottonwoods display bright yellow leaves in the fall, adding to the colorful palette of the region.
• Willow Trees: Willows also turn yellow and contribute to the fall colors, often found along streams and rivers in the area.
• Quaking Aspen: A specific subspecies of aspen known as the “Quaking Aspen” is prevalent in the Eastern Sierra Mountains and is particularly known for its autumn display.
• Black Oak Trees: Black oak trees are another species that can be found in the region and contribute to the fall display with their deep orange and red leaves.

These trees collectively create a picturesque and diverse display of fall colors in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, making it a must-visit destination for fall foliage enthusiasts like yourself.

Does Mammoth Have Fall Colors?

Yes, there are fall colors in the Mammoth Lakes Basin but also in the valleys and gorges around Mammoth such as McGee Creek and Rock Creek.

In a nutshell: Eastern Sierra Fall Colors Guide

Fall in the Eastern Sierra is short but spectacular. While we don’t have the full array of reds, oranges, and yellows, it’s impressive in its own right. If you’re planning a trip, start in Bishop Creek Canyon or Rock Creek for the earliest color, then work your way north toward Mammoth and June Lake for later peaks.

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