Eastern Sierra Fall Color Report **Current Conditions** (Oct. 21)
This week I was back in California’s Eastern Sierra, chasing the last waves of fall color as the season begins to shift toward winter. From Convict Lake and June Lake Loop to Tioga Pass and Round Valley, the colors are incredible right now, but they’re fading fast at higher elevations. If you’re planning an Eastern Sierra fall road trip, now is the time to go...so join me below for a real-time fall color update to help you prepare. All photos were taken on 10/21.
FALL COLOR REPORT
• Locations: June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, Tioga Pass, Round Valley, Bishop
• Dates: Oct 21, 2025
Eastern Sierra fall colors at Silver Lake along the June Lake Loop
Eastern Sierra Fall Colors 2-4 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide
If you’re planning a Highway 395 road trip during the fall months, make sure to download my complete Eastern Sierra Fall Colors 2-4 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes an hour-by-hour schedule, Google & Apple map pin locations, the best stargazing spots, a dining guide, recommendations on where to stay, photography tips, and more! Download it today and make your fall foliage planning easy!
Sunrise at Convict Lake with fall colors
Mono County
Convict Lake
Leaf Color Transition: 100% - GO NOW! (LAST CHANCE)
🟡🟠⚪️
The colors at Convict Lake are absolutely brilliant right now, both around the lake and throughout the campground and Convict Lake Resort. Pockets of bare branches are appearing, but the golden hues that remain are glowing. I went at sunrise this week and watched the alpenglow sweep down the face of the granite peaks, lighting them in pink and orange while the lake mirrored every detail. It’s an unforgettable time to visit, but the colors will fade quickly here, so this is your last chance to enjoy the fall foliage at Convict Lake.
For more info on this top Fall foliage spot, check out my full Convict Lake Camping & Kayaking post.
Eastern Sierra fall colors at Silver Lake along the June Lake Loop
June Lake Loop
Leaf Color Transition: 100%-Past Peak - GO NOW! (LAST CHANCE)
🟡🟠⚪️
The June Lake Loop is bursting with color and nearing the end of its peak. There’s barely any green left—about 75% golden aspen and 25% bare branches—so the window is closing fast. June Lake itself is glowing in yellow, Gull Lake is fading with about half its color remaining, and Silver Lake is stunning right now with solid golden tones. Even the small stands near Grant Lake are shining bright. This is the last chance to catch the loop in full fall glory before the colors fade.
For more info on this top Fall foliage spot, check out my full June Lake Loop post.
Fall colors along Lee Vining Creek and Tioga Road outside Yosemite
Tioga Pass
Leaf Color Transition: 100% - GO NOW!
🟡🟠🟤
If you’re heading toward Yosemite, Tioga Pass is spectacular right now. The drive along Tioga Road is lined with burnt orange hillsides and golden aspen groves. Inside Yosemite National Park, the high-country aspens near Quaking Aspen Falls are at full color, contrasting beautifully with the granite cliffs and crisp alpine sky. Outside the park, the Lee Vining Canyon is glowing with orange slopes and yellow aspen along the creek.
Vibrant fall colors in Round Valley near Bishop, CA
Inyo County
Round Valley
Leaf Color Transition: 50-75% - GO SOON
🟢🟡🟠
Down in Inyo County, the colors are starting to pop in Round Valley, where the lower elevations are catching their stride. The roads are lined with tall cottonwoods painted in shades of gold and yellow, and the surrounding ranch land is a photographer’s dream as horses and cattle graze under glowing trees with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada rising in the distance. This area will only get better over the next week or two.
Fall colors arriving along Bishop Canals in the Owens Valley
Bishop Canals & Buckley Ponds
Leaf Color Transition: 50%
🟢🟡🟡
Much of the Owens Valley is showing strong signs of fall now, with the Bishop canals and Buckley Ponds area being one of the most scenic places to enjoy it. Towering cottonwoods line the waterways with their yellow leaves reflecting in the calm surface of the ponds. In the surrounding fields, Rubber Rabbitbrush is in full bloom, adding vibrant pops of yellow to the already colorful landscape. It’s a perfect stop for a late-afternoon drive or sunset stroll just outside downtown Bishop.
Fall colors in Round Valley near Bishop, CA
Know Before You Go
• The Eastern Sierra is black bear territory. Make sure all food is properly stored. Never approach, disturb or attempt to feed wildlife.
• Weather in the Sierra can be unpredictable. Be prepared for cool mornings and evenings, and always check the forecast before your trip.
• Please remember all the Leave No Trace Principles on your visit to keep these places beautiful for generations to come.
• Cell service is unreliable in much of the Eastern and High Sierra, so bring a reliable GPS device with pre-downloaded maps. Gaia GPS for iPhone and Android devices is a great option that I use on all my mountain road trips.
Gull Lake current conditions along the June Lake Loop
Downloadable Itineraries & Travel Guides
Planning a trip to California and the west coast? I’ve got in-depth travel guides and itineraries for several national parks and beautiful destinations. Check out a few of them below, or click here to see them all!
Aspen trees along June Lake in the Eastern Sierra
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week in California’s Eastern Sierra. For a virtual visit of what the fall colors are looking like right now, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Fall foliage in Round Valley near Bishop, CA
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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