FALL COLORS UPDATES
9/17/2026
Fall is coming in quickly around Mammoth Lakes, with pockets of color starting to take over. Cooler temperatures last week gave the air that unmistakable autumn edge.
This weekend, look for orange willows and shifting yellow aspens along Mammoth Creek, up in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, and around Convict Lake. McGee Canyon is also beginning to show off its spectacular golden display.
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 indulging in autumn.
Photo enthusiasts: Share your colorful fall photos and videos with us on social media. Tag us @visitmammoth // #VisitMammoth for a chance to be featured!
As you adventure around the region, please remember to Recreate Responsibly and Keep Mammoth Lakes Unreal for future generations.
Read below for more tips & a 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 wild 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.
FALL LODGING SPECIALS
Fall is one of our favorite times to be in Mammoth Lakes; the crowds thin out, the light gets golden, and everything just feels a little quieter. Book your stay and take advantage of our local lodging specials:
- 20% Off a 3 night stay at Limelight Mammoth
- 25% Off a 3 night stay at Alpenhoff Lodge with code on their website: “STAY2026”
- 20% Off at Outbound Hotels with 2 drink tokens with code on their website: “VMFALL”
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
10-50% Patchy
The groves at the highest elevations are well on their way to fall.
LEE VINING
0-10% Just Starting
Little spots of yellow and orange. But most of the canyon has yet to make any change.
JUNE LAKE LOOP
0-10% Just Starting
Not much change has occurred since last week’s report but if you are in the region, make sure you catch the glow off the ridge of June Mountain Ski Resort in the morning. Much more to come around the June Lake Loop in the coming weeks.
MAMMOTH LAKES
10-50% Patchy
The most noticeable color change in the Lakes Basin is around the mountainside of Twin Lakes, as well as among the aspens along the right side of Lake George.
The willows and shrubs around town are quickly turning yellow thanks to the recent mix of cold nights and warm days. The aspens are also beginning to show more color, with a little more yellow appearing each day. Take a walk or bike ride along the Town Loop Path, and you’re sure to spot some early signs of fall!
CONVICT LAKE
0-10% Just Starting
The biggest change around the lake is yellow has now spread into the campground and the creek as it moves downhill. The Lake has not progressed much since last week.
MCGEE CREEK CANYON
0-10% Just Starting
The tops of the trees had some yellow, and the canyon had that lime glow to it. Gorgeous drive any time of year and enough to make it feel like fall if you need a fix.
ROCK CREEK
10-50% Patchy
Patchy yellows start around the Aspen Campground, getting closer to 50% around the East Fork parking area and campground. The north-facing ridge is yellow orange. A mix of yellow, orange, brown, and plenty of green around the lake and continuing up the road from the lake to the trailhead. Overall, the drive is patchy and an absolutely beautiful taste of fall, with more to come.
EVENTS THIS FALL
Fall in Mammoth Lakes is not just about leaves! September kicks off Endurance Season, with bike and foot races guaranteed to get your heart pumping. There’s live music and family-friendly fun happening too, plus art shows and events focused on health and wellness:
- Clean Up The Lake: September 14-18
- Annual Lakes Basin Cleanup: September 19
- Mammoth Tuff: September 18-20
- Paint Mono County Plein Air Competition: September 20-27
- Mammoth Lakes Health & Wellness Fair: September 26
- Mammoth Trailfest: September 24-27
- The Mammoth: October 2-6
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.
NEW YEAR-ROUND UNITED AIR SERVICE
YEAR-ROUND flights between Eastern Sierra Regional Airport in Bishop (BIH), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are officially here!
United Airlines now operates between Bishop (BIH) to San Francisco (SFO) daily in summer and winter, and four days a week in spring and fall. Winter seasonal flights continue to operate daily between Denver (DEN) and Bishop (BIH)
Once you land, Eastern Sierra Transit’s Airport Flyer Express Service has you covered, with shuttles timed to arriving and departing flights at BIH and MMH, getting you to and from Mammoth Lakes for just $10 per seat.
Details and booking information below.
Discover more from Eastern Sierra Now | Local News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
