Peep the Best Fall Colors in Northern Nevada

Autumn is here in Northern Nevada full swing (and maybe even a taste of winter already in Lake Tahoe)! Living in Reno, we get the best of both worlds – access to the outdoor playground our area offers while enjoying four mild seasons, over 300 days of sunshine a year, and all the city amenities you could need.

Temperatures have begun to drop at night, and you can feel the crisp, fall air. The changing seasons colors may be the most beautiful part of October and November, most notably with our singing aspen trees that turn a vibrant gold color throughout these cooler days. The Sierra Nevada mountains have begun to be blanketed in snow, but there is still much of fall to enjoy! We have some of the best places to view fall colors in Reno-Tahoe and all are worth a visit.

Hiking or Biking

If you’re up for a challenging hike or bike ride be sure to hit the Marlette Lake Trail, a gorgeous 6 mile roundtrip full of views of Lake Tahoe and the golden Aspen trees that line the east shore of Marlette Lake. Be sure to get to the trailhead early, parking is limited and tends to fill up fast.

The Tahoe Meadows are a classic destination for year-round recreation for locals and visitors alike. Located on Mt. Rose Summit, the easy 1.3-mile nature trail leads you around the meadows and is friendly for all ages and abilities. Wait a month or two for significant snowfall and you can also enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding, and even feed one of Tahoe’s most popular residents – the black-capped chickadee!

Just across Mt. Rose Highway from Montreux Golf and Country Club on Timberline Drive, lie the popular Thomas Creek, Jones Creek and Dry Pond trails. These offer short walks or all-day hikes that are currently exploding with fall colors. These trails are dog and bike friendly, just be sure to watch out for other folks on the trail if you are on foot.

Driving

Up for a scenic drive over a hike? Take Ebbetts Pass on Hwy 4 south of Markleeville. You will also pass the historic Hope Valley, a favorite of local photographers and its easy to see why. The views are stunning and home to thousands of aspen trees! Monitor Pass connects to Ebbetts Pass and is another great route to continue your leaf peeping.

Mono County and Mammoth Lakes are just a short two-hour drive away if you are willing to make the trek. Be sure to explore Convict Lake, June Lake, and check their map and fall color report weekly – you will be rewarded with some of the richest fall colors in the state of California.