FALL COLORS UPDATES
10/29/2026
Fall hasn’t left the Eastern Sierra yet! Make Mammoth Lakes your home base for fall color day trips, with color holding strong in the June Lake Loop and Lee Vining area, and starting to peak down in Bishop along the Owens Valley floor.
As the seasons shift, a fresh dusting of snow may add a new layer of beauty to the Eastern Sierra this weekend, with rain and snow in the forecast. Before setting out on your adventures, check the latest weather forecast and road conditions for potential pass closures to plan ahead.
Mornings are crisp and afternoons are still mild, and the peak-season crowds have thinned out, so you can linger at viewpoints and pull over whenever a grove catches your eye. When the day winds down, head back to Mammoth Lakes to settle in and enjoy a quieter side of town.
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.
HALLOWEEN EVENTS IN MAMMOTH LAKES
Halloween weekend in Mammoth Lakes has something for everyone.
From the haunted ice rink and live music to the costume crawl and more, there are plenty of ways to get into the Halloween spirit!
Click below for a full list of fun activities starting TOMORROW, Friday October 30th.
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 Nancy Holland, Pete Todd, LuAnn Jonker, Chris Bubser, and Beau James Spraungel.
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)
LEE VINING
75-100% Peaking (GO NOW!)
If you NEED fall color in your life, Lee Vining Canyon is here for you. There is wind in the forecast, but this will likely be the best place for color over the next week.
JUNE LAKE LOOP
Past Peak (You Missed It)
The color continues to hold strong in sections around the Loop, but the leaves are very close to packing their bags for winter. It will really depend on the weather over the next week.
MAMMOTH LAKES TOWN
Past Peak (You Missed It)
Another incredible Fall Season is starting to make way for winter mode. There are still a few pockets of color to see around town, especially in the Mammoth Creek area.
CONVICT LAKE
75-100% Peaking (GO NOW!)
Orange is aglow around the lake just in time for this weekend’s holiday. While the grove at the back of the lake is well past peak, we would classify the rest of the lake at a solid 100%. Go Now!
BISHOP AREA
50-75% Near Peak (Go Now!)
The cottonwoods in and around Bishop and the Owens Valley are a mixture of yellows and greens. There are some reds and oranges here in town as well. It’s pretty spectacular! Owens Valley, Bishop, Pine Creek and Round Valley currently sit in the 50-75% Near Peak zone, making this a stunning day trip from the Mammoth Lakes area.
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.
Discover more from Eastern Sierra Now | Local News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
