Eastern Sierra Fall Color Report **Current Conditions** (Oct. 7-8)
Hi friends! Fall is in full swing across California’s Eastern Sierra, and the colors are changing fast! The last two days we explored both Mono County and the Bishop Creek Canyon area, and it’s safe to say that autumn has officially arrived. From the reflective lakes of June Lake Loop to the glowing aspen groves of Bishop Creek, the 2025 Eastern Sierra fall foliage season is delivering a stunning mix of golds, oranges, and reds. Whether you’re chasing the last bits of peak color in the high country or watching the waves of yellow sweep through the canyons, this is one of the most dynamic times of year along Highway 395. If you’re planning a fall trip to the Bishop and Mammoth Lakes regions in the coming week or two, join me below for a real-time fall color update. All photos were taken on 10/7-10/8.
FALL COLOR REPORT
• Locations: June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, McGee Creek, Crowley Lake, Bishop, Intake Two, Aspendell, Lake Sabrina, North Lake
• Dates: Oct 7-8, 2025
Eastern Sierra fall colors near Silver Lake along 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!
Eastern Sierra fall colors along June Lake
Silver Lake fall foliage along June Lake Loop
Mono County
June Lake Loop
Leaf Color Transition: 50% - GO SOON
🟢🟡🟠
The June Lake Loop is glowing right now, with plenty more to come. In general, the first half of the loop (June Lake to Silver Lake) is closer to peak than the back half (Siver Lake to Grant Lake). Around June Lake itself, you’ll find beautiful color along the shoreline, easily visible from the roadside pullouts. Gull Lake and the June Lake Village area are bursting with golden hues, and the drive toward Silver Lake is lined with bright yellows. Once you reach Silver Lake, the colors begin to soften back to lime greens with scattered bursts of yellow along the higher elevation slopes as you head towards Grant Lake. Visitors coming for the annual Leaves in the Loop festival this weekend will be treated to plenty of color, with more on the way over the next week or two.
Eastern Sierra fall colors at Convict Lake
Convict Lake
Leaf Color Transition: 50-75% - GO SOON
🟢🟡🟡
Convict Lake has really come alive since last week! The shoreline is now glowing with vibrant yellow cottonwoods, aspens, and willows that line the lake. The slopes across the lake are blanketed in golden tones below the massive marbled peaks above. You’ll still find some green along the road on the way up, but it’s quickly turning. Expect this area to peak within the next week, making it a must-see stop if you’re road tripping through the Eastern Sierra in the coming days.
For more info on this top Fall foliage spot, check out my full Convict Lake Camping & Kayaking post.
Vibrant fall colors in McGee Creek Canyon in the Eastern Sierra
McGee Creek Canyon
Leaf Color Transition: 75% - GO NOW!
🟡🟡🟠
McGee Creek Canyon is one of the brightest spots in the Sierra this week. Both the aspens and cottonwoods are showing off in vivid yellows and oranges, and the trail up the canyon is lined with foliage, providing numerous opportunities to venture down to the creek shrouded in color. A light dusting of snow on the peaks above adds a magical alpine touch.
Crowley Lake & Hilton Creek current fall conditions
Hilton Creek & Crowley Lake
Leaf Color Transition: 25%
🟢🟢🟡
The hillsides above Hilton Creek and Crowley Lake are just starting to show their fall palette, with yellow and orange patches on the slopes above. Down in the community itself, things are still quite green and probably won’t peak for another couple weeks.
Millpond Recreation Area near Bishop, CA
Bishop Creek & Inyo County
Millpond Recreation Area
Leaf Color Transition: 5-15%
🟢🟢🟡
Down in Bishop, the cottonwoods at Millpond Park and throughout nearby Round Valley are just beginning to change. A few hints of yellow are appearing in the treetops, but most of the landscape remains green. This area traditionally peaks later in the season, so expect the best colors toward the end of October once higher elevations have moved past peak.
Past peak fall conditions at Intake Two
Intake Two
Leaf Color Transition: 100%-Past Peak
🟠🟤⚪️
The season has already come and gone for the most part at Intake Two. You’ll still find a few vibrant yellow and orange patches near the campground and day use area, but most of the aspen have dropped their leaves around the lake. If you missed the peak here, don’t worry—there’s still plenty of color to enjoy higher up in the canyon.
Peaking fall colors at Cardinal Village Resort in the Eastern Sierra
Cardinal Village & Aspendell
Leaf Color Transition: 50-75% - GO SOON
🟢🟡🟠
The Cardinal Village Resort area is glowing right now, making it an ideal stop for a cozy breakfast or lunch surrounded by color. The slopes above are just about past peak, but the trees down in the Aspendell community are still green and just beginning to shift. It’s a perfect transitional mix and one of the prettiest stops in Bishop Creek Canyon this week. Even if you don’t head down into the valley, take advantage of one of the pull-offs along Hwy-168 to soak in the colorful valley below.
Eastern Sierra fall colors along Middle Fork Bishop Creek
Lake Sabrina Road & Middle Fork Bishop Creek
Leaf Color Transition: 100%-Past Peak - GO NOW!
🟡🟠🟤
The road leading to Lake Sabrina is lined with bold yellows and oranges, though the color won’t last much longer. The colors reflecting in the shallow waters of Bishop Creek are stunning. If you’re planning a visit, make it soon...this stretch will likely fade with the next few big wind gusts!
Last of the fall colors at Lake Sabrina in the High Sierra
Lake Sabrina
Leaf Color Transition: 100%-Past Peak
🟠🔴🟤
Much of Lake Sabrina has moved past its peak color, with only a few patches of burnt orange lingering on the canyon walls. The views, however, remain incredible. Come early or late in the day for the best reflections on the water...this spot still displays a magical golden-hour scene even without the full foliage.
North Lake fall colors in the High Sierra
North Lake
Leaf Color Transition: 100% - GO NOW!
🟡🟠🟤
North Lake is nearing the end of its prime fall-color viewing. The far hillside’s famous orange-red channel is fading quickly, while the shoreline is still shining in brilliant gold. The dirt road through the aspens is a rich gold and orange tunnel right now, but those leaves won’t last long. This is the last call for peak color at North Lake, so visit within the next few days if you can.
For more information on this top Eastern Sierra fall spot, check out my complete North Lake Travel & Photo Guide.
Golden aspen trees along Lake Sabrina Road
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.
• North Lake has become very popular over the last few years. Please refrain from trampling vegetation, be respectful of other visitors, only park in the designated parking lots, and pack out everything you pack in.
• 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.
Eastern Sierra fall colors along McGee Creek
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!
Quaking aspen leaves at Gull Lake along June Lake Loop
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week in California’s Eastern Sierra. For a virtual visit of my Fall color report, 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.
Millpond Recreation Area 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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