FALL COLORS UPDATES
10/15/2026
Fall is still putting on a beautiful show around Mammoth Lakes! While the Mammoth Lakes Basin has moved past peak, lower elevations are still showing off, with plenty to see around town and along Mammoth Creek. For the best of it this weekend, make the short drive to June Lake, where the color is at its most impressive. After a day of exploration, return to your home base here in Mammoth Lakes for dinner and drinks.
Get inspired and plan your trip with our Fall Colors hub, featuring fun hikes, activities and places to see. Don’t forget to take advantage of discounted lodging in Mammoth Lakes as the ideal home base for enjoying this season.
As you adventure around the region, please remember to Recreate Responsibly and Keep Mammoth Lakes Unreal for future generations.
Read below for fall inspiration and this week’s color report.
– Kim from Mammoth Lakes, California
5 Easy Ways to Help Keep Fall Unreal
A few small habits go a long way toward keeping our aspens golden and our trails pristine for years to come. Here’s how to enjoy the season while giving a little love back:
- Plan ahead – Check weather, roads, and maps before heading out. Mountain weather shifts fast, and cell service and restrooms can be limited once you’re out there.
- Park smart – Stick to designated spots. Aspens have shallow roots, so keeping cars off soft shoulders and plants helps them thrive for seasons to come.
- Tread lightly – Brush off boots and gear before hitting new trails, stay on the path, and admire those paper-thin aspen trunks without leaving a mark.
- Stay aware – Pull over only in safe spots and skip stopping in the road for photos. Country roads see more traffic than you’d think.
- Pack it in, pack it out – Trash (even food scraps) adds up fast during peak color season. Extra credit for grabbing litter you didn’t leave.
BEST SPOTS FOR FALL COLORS
Fall in the Eastern Sierra is a show, and visitors from around the world come to see it.
Click below for a guide that combines the best places to view fall colors in Mammoth Lakes and nearby areas within about an hour’s drive.
FALL THROUGH YOUR LENS
Got a fall photo you’re proud of? Show us your favorite images!
This week we received these amazing images from images from Angie Plaisted, Barbara Richter, and Candace Ackley.
Want to submit yours? Click the link below:
0-10% – Just Starting
10-50% – Patchy
50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
75-100% – Peaking (GO NOW!)
Past Peak – (You Missed It)
TIOGA PASS
Past Peak (You Missed It)
LEE VINING
50-75% Near Peak (Go Now!)
This narrow canyon benefited from a bit of wind protection this last weekend, and its color evolution continues. The colder temps may mean it moves quicker than it has over the last week, but only Mother Nature really knows.
JUNE LAKE LOOP
75-100% Peaking (GO NOW!)
June Lake Loop is stunning right now! Grant Lake has a large green grove that looks poised to change any day. The areas around Silver Lake and Rush Creek are still showing off and the ski area is a real stunner.
MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN
Past Peak (You Missed It)
The Lakes Basin, while past peak after some weather this weekend, still has some pockets of color around Lake Mary and Twin Lakes. This area is great for fishing, paddling, kayaking and hiking. Make sure to check the weather before heading out and bring layers!
MAMMOTH LAKES TOWN
75-100% Peaking (GO NOW!)
Spots along Sherwin Creek Road and Mammoth Creek are stunningly yellow and orange right now, even with the weather this past Monday. Put on some hiking boots or hop on a bike and discover some pockets of color!
CONVICT LAKE
75-100% Peaking (GO NOW!)
The picturesque grove at the back of the lake you see so frequently in pictures is completely stripped. But there is still some green and color at the front of the lake. Plus, the Resort and campground held onto their color and remain open.
MCGEE CREEK CANYON
75-100% Peaking (GO NOW!)
Likely the last call at McGee. The trail up McGee Canyon is done and while the wind has taken away some color, you will still find color at the tail end of its fall journey. Leading up to the hike there are still pockets of beautiful display along the road.
ROCK CREEK
Past Peak (You Missed It!)
While you will still find color on the lower portion of the road – Big Meadow Campground and down – this area has said goodbye for another year.
PRE-ARRIVAL GUIDE
Preserve Mammoth Lakes’ Unreal alpine beauty for future adventurers. Check out our Pre-Arrival Guide for tips on how to be an eco-conscious traveler. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining this picturesque destination for future generations.
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