Get your leaf-peeping fix at these naturally beautiful spots across Nevada.
Fall is finally upon us . for sure , Las Vegas might still have close - triple - digit estrus through most of September , but we ’re ready for PSL season all the same . In the Silver State , northern Nevada incline to steal all the fall color thunder as area such as theRuby mountain , which are also known as the Swiss Alps of Nevada , andLake Tahoeput on the kind of spectacular displays one would have a bun in the oven from high - EL climates . In the meantime , southerly and central Nevada get written off as barren , seasonless deserts , but that could n’t be further from the accuracy . High - altitude mountains and wild area abound in these part , as do by nature occurring bound that produce real desert oases full of wetlands and succulent vegetation , which are all full of trees , smoke , and bloom bush that put on quite the technicolor display from late summertime through late twilight . But the best part is this is all within just a few hours ’ drive from Las Vegas . And while the2023 Fall Foliage Mapis an excellent tool for week - by - week and county - by - county color forecasting , we ’ve got some insider info for you below .
Spring Mountains National Recreation Area / Mount Charleston Wilderness
traveling metre from Las Vegas : 45 minutesMount Charleston , a wilderness arena located within the Spring Mountains about 40 miles north of Las Vegas , is known as a “ sky island ” because of its high elevation and proportional closing off from the drastically different lowland desert surrounding it . That high-pitched natural elevation means that at any time of the year , it ’s about 20 degrees cool on Mount Charleston than in Las Vegas , making it a welcome escape from the scorch summers . That also means the climate is drastically different up there , so you get evergreen plant and aspen groves instead of cacti and palm tree .
The most democratic and scenic field of Mount Charleston are located at the death of the road that lead up to Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon , as well as Deer Creek Road , which links them . These orbit are all high summit at about 7,500 to 8,600 invertebrate foot at the most popular trailheads , campsites , and child’s play area . But if you really require high elevation and cold-blooded , thin mountain air , the summit of Charleston Peak is just diffident of 12,000 foot . There are four true season on Mount Charleston , mean there ’s a ski resort at the top of Lee Canyon , which pay back so much snow this past season that it remained open through Mother ’s Day . Still , it ’s fall down that ’s really something special to see here .
On the Kyle Canyon side , there are streaks of gold yellow and vivacious orange against the dark honey oil of the pine - cover slope , and the display of colour that the quake aspens along the South Loop Trail put on is spectacular , especially now that the baby aspen have gained quite a moment of acme since a 2013 wildfire cauterise the integral area . Hike the democratic three - mileCathedral Rock trailthrough the aspen plantation and enjoy the view from the summit , where you ’ll see more glowing grove from luxuriously above . Past the Cathedral Rock negative stimulation , you’re able to keep hike along theSouth Loop trailtoward Griffith Peak , where the dramatic gradient are covered in tinkling aspen in a blaze of hues range from golden to vermilion . Also , stop and take a listen . When the leave-taking are juiceless and about to dribble in the descent , the ones on these aspen move with the slightest picnic and make a tinkling sound like windchimes , hence the name quake aspens .
Mount Charleston Wilderness|Photo by Nicole Rupersburg for Thrillist
Over on the Lee Canyon side , smaller aspen groves can be found around the ski resort . Park at theUpper Bristlecone Trailheadand caput left ; it only takes a few arcminute of hiking uphill before you start up to see the aspens . you may also take a scenic electric chair drive overlooking the trees at theLee Canyon Ski Resort , offered seven Clarence Day a week from 10 am to 6 pm .
And no matter which canyon you visit , both involve longdrives up the slew lined with tumid yellow rabbitbrush , which start its mustard - yellowed peak in former September . But if you want to see the drop colors on Mount Charleston , you must rush because of the gamy elevation ; folio start turn in recent August and reach peak by late September or early October . It gets cold quickly up there , and it ’s not uncommon for Mount Charleston to be covered in snow before Halloween .
The City of Las Vegas
Distance from Las Vegas : None ! You ’re already here!If you wager your cards right , you’re able to revel fall color in and around Las Vegas from late August all the way into December . This may come as a immense shock to some , but the City of Las Vegas really has a sizable urban woodland , much big than you might imagine . If you tour some of the older neighborhoods downtown , you ’ll find an impressive canopy of mature trees , including a motley of ash tree tree , nursing bottle tree , Tilia heterophylla , magnolia , palo verde , Ficus carica , and pomegranate , in addition to the many kinds of palm Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Some have leaves that change color perceptibly in the fall , while others are slightly more subtle . The city has been make a lot of efforts to increase the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree canopy over the last several years , with plans to plant 60,000 trees over the next 30 years to combat the “ heat island ” effect ( a phenomenon experienced in urban environments with a lot of concrete and mineral pitch ) , as well as beautification projection that have seen trees total to the streetscapes of downtown .
This brings us to DTLV in December , where Chinese Pistache tree have been planted along Main Street and Las Vegas Boulevard , release a beautiful crimson bolshy in the autumn . Their bold streaks of color pop against the concrete - loaded urban surroundings and give us desert - dwellers a nice fall fix late into the season . Chinese Pistache is known as a tardy colour - flub to commence with , and in Las Vegas , where the heat is vivid all through September and “ fall ” gets a much later start , these trees do n’t don their fall fashion until it ’s very nearly winter . Over in the University District , the intact 350 - acreUniversity of Nevada , Las Vegascampus is an conventional botanical garden recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree Campus USA . With 4,300 single tree on campus , 10 of which are considered “ Champion Trees ” ( the tumid tree diagram of its mintage in the state of matter ) , the University of Nevada , Las Vegas grounds cater a welcome nature respite right in the center of Sin City . The leaves on many of these desert indigene , drouth - patient of tree coinage turn tint of pale yellow and thick bull in the fall , with colors showing well into November and December .
Floyd Lamb Park
change of location sentence from Las Vegas : 25 minutesFloyd Lamb Park is located at Tule Springs , a wellspring in the desert with several small lakes and lush vegetation , swarm with waterfowl and glorious , jewel - toned peacocks know to prance around the parking lot and throughout the park . This 680 - Accho city park is home to theLas Vegas State Tree Nursery , which get more than 250,000 industrial plant from 250 coinage annually , as well asTule Springs Ranch , which is on the US National Register of Historic Places . This park boast endure of oak and cottonwood Tree that develop along the shores of the four lakes , which turn abstruse , vibrant shade of sensationalistic and orangish in the fall . Because this is Las Vegas , where the natural elevation is downhearted , and the temperatures are gamy , these colors number late in the season , commonly former October and early November .
Red Rock National Conservation Area
Travel prison term from Las Vegas : 20–30 minutesRed Rock Canyon , the world - far-famed climbing destination known for its otherworldly red sandstone formation and tower wall , is maybe not the first place you would suppose that would have flow colors . Still , there is indeed vegetation in Red Rock that change gloss with the seasons . Ash trees and oaks turn thick shades of Au and Orange River , and while these are n’t obtuse groves of fiery leafage , the occasional blaze of Au against the rusting - colored backdrop of Red Rock will still take in your breathing time and have you grab your phone to snap some scene .
There are a few areas along the 13 - mile Scenic effort within Red Rock where you could catch some brilliant colors hidden by the visit canyon walls , but Pine Creek and Oak Creek canyon will offer the most take for your tramp efforts . And there will most for sure be some effort . The attack to both canyons through the heart-to-heart desert is just the start . examine the good material in these canyon requires some technological scrambling and boulder - hopping of varying difficulty without an obvious trail to follow , and it can get really technical and really gnarly , really quickly if you ’re not careful . just commend what goes up must come down .
The Calico Basin on the other side of the common also offers some errant spattering of crepuscule color amid the dramatic crimson Aztec sandstone . Ash Spring in the Calico Basin is a unretentive and scenic hike that hire you past a grove of golden ash trees with a smattering of cottonwoods against the fiery crimson backdrop of Calico Hills . If you just want a pleasant picnic expanse with a nice purview , you’re able to skip the Scenic Drive solely and head toRed Spring Picnic Areajust outside the park on the back side of Calico Basin , which features a half - mile boardwalk encircling a spring - fed hayfield in addition to pushover table , shaded pavilions , and barbeque grills .
Please note thatTimed reservations are requiredfor fomite access to the Scenic Drive from 8 am to 5 pm day by day from October 1 , 2023 , through May 31 , 2024 ( even on fee - free sidereal day ) . If you design to go leaf - peeping in Red Rock , you ’ll have your best chance mid- to previous - October , possibly into other November .
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge
travelling time from Las Vegas : 1 hour 20 minutesYet another lesser - fuck desert haven less than 90 minutes from the city , Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is an essential stop for migratory dame , with plushy , spring - fed wetlands that admit lake , marsh , and wet meadow , as well as tall cottonwood and poplar tree along the shoreline that glow prosperous and marigold in the fall . Tall marsh grasses also turn amber and gold , and if you chance to catch it in the right light , the whole lieu looks ablaze in a glowing red . Catch the colors in previous October and former November .
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
travelling time from Las Vegas : 1 time of day 30 minutesAlthough it ’s a lesser - lie with area located on the eastern edge ofDeath Valleyright on the California border , Ash Meadows is an internationally recognized wetland of huge significance , with nearly 30 mintage of plant and animals that do n’t exist anywhere else in the world . The Devils Hole is located in this part of the Amargosa Valley , home to an ancient , endangered species of pupfish , which have been isolated in this position for 10,000 to 20,000 years . The Devils Hole cavern is over 500 foot deep and remains mostly a secret as the the bottom has never been map . Another born oasis in the desert , the hot fountain of Ash Meadows , feed these profuse wetland but take note that this is a wildlife refuge , and these hot springs are not for bathe . Still , visitors can enjoy the crystal - clean-cut cobalt blue water system of the springs and the glowing gold and orange tree of the ash trees for which this region was named starting in mid - October and running into early November , which is also the pure time of year to visit Death Valley when the temperature have cool off importantly .
Rainbow Canyon Scenic Drive
change of location clip from Las Vegas : 2 hour 20 minute ( to Caliente)This field of southeastern Nevada is home to the most panoptic collection of Nevada State Parks , a dense clump of province treasures all within easy driving space of each other . Two of those parks offer unique options to revel some downfall colors and are locate on either side of the 21 - mile Rainbow Canyon Scenic Drive , which follows the mainline of the Union Pacific Railroad / originate in the historical city of Caliente ( architecture enthusiasts , be sure to halt by the Spanish Mission - style railroad depot build in 1905 before leaving Caliente ) at the northern final stage of Rainbow Canyon , drive south to your first stop atKershaw - Ryan State Park . Kershaw - Ryan is a verdant oasis , thanks to the period of water from lifelike spring and weeping rocks in the surround canon walls that soar up to 700 feet magniloquent . The manicure botany includes ashen oaks , willows , Tilia heterophylla , locust tree trees , fruit trees , wild grape , and Virginia cerise creeper , which create a display of vivacious emerald green , pollyannaish pale chickenhearted , glowing gold , glints of tawny and bronze , and streaks of deep blood red-faced in the tumble .
From Kershaw - Ryan , you ’ll continue driving south , passing by colourful red rock and roll , limestone , and towering wall of basalt , as well as dense groves of cottonwood trees that line the total distance of the Meadow Valley Wash in shades of bright yellow , orange , and gold in the autumn . On the other end of the Scenic Drive is the ghost town of Elgin , home to theElgin Schoolhouse State Historic Park . This one - way schoolhouse was where several contemporaries of tyke were teach over 40 years in this former railroad town . If you ’re lucky , you might also catch a spot of color here . The best time to catch fall colors in Rainbow Canyon is mid - October to mid - November .
Cave Lake State Park
Travel time from Las Vegas : 4 hoursThis whole arena of eastern Nevada , including Great Basin , has large aspen plantation , but arguably one of the unspoilt seat to see them in all their fall glory is at Cave Lake State Park , just 20 minutes outside of the diminished town of Ely . Cave Lake is a 32 - acre reservoir surrounded by pine tree - covered slope . While the lake has been drained and access is currently close due to expression , you’re able to still enjoy the campgrounds and the extensive web of hiking and mountain biking trails running through the park and throughout Ely , wandering through woods of radiate gold aspen . you’re able to also still love the view of the lake from theCave Lake Overlook Loop trailand the Lakeview Campground , where you ’ll catch shocks of brilliant atomic number 79 from the stands of aspen along the shoring , as well as gold - hue marsh grass and the puffy xanthous flowers of the fall - blooming rabbitbrush . you could also take in the fall colors throughout the greater Ely area along the Schell Creek Range by tug along the 38 - mile Success Loop Scenic Drive , which is full of scenic views and travel aright past Cave Lake . A portion of the road is well - graded crushed rock , but stick it out . Along this section , aspens line the placid route for an blowup of gold , bronze , and scarlet . Catch the colors here in late September and other October .
Great Basin National Park
Travel meter from Las Vegas : 4 hours 30 minutesWith spark blue - green alpine lake surrounded by jagged , silver - gray granite peaks and open fields where you ’ll almost always see cervid grazing in the golden hour , theAlpine Lakes Trailmight audio like something flat out of a classic Disney moving-picture show . And , yeah , it is kind of magic , and it ’s also every bit breathtaking and haunting . This portion of Great Basin at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive set out at an elevation just diffident of 10,000 feet , and the area is full of elephantine grumble , distorted bristlecone pines that endure for thousands of age in the harsh of climates .
But before you get to the lake and the cervid and the twistedSnow Whitepines and the dramatic acme , you ’ll fade through a grove of fiery aspen . Once you go by the Upper Lehman Creek Campground , you ’ll commence to see the blazing coloring of the aspens along the 12 - stat mi Scenic Drive . But mark that due to the high elevation , fall colour begin very too soon in the time of year , usually early- to mid - September , and the Scenic Drive closes for the time of year once it snows . But even if you leave out the gloss show in the high grasp of the park , the blue aggrandizement have mess to show off . At the much lower elevation along Snake Creek Road ( ~5,300 ’ ) , you may enjoy a beautiful display of color in relative isolation . Snake Creek is about 13 miles of unpaved road that accesses Snake Creek Canyon and multiple archaic campgrounds circumvent by poplar , aspen groves , and limestone cliffs .
Another option is the 5.5 - mile Baker Creek Road , a well - maintained crushed rock road that provide approach to the Grey Cliffs and Baker Creek Campgrounds and the lead to Johnson Lake . The hike to Johnson Lake wander through groves of marvellous , reedy aspen interspersed in sunny hayfield and compact woodlet of air current - bent aspens along steep slope , all ablaze with color in the fall . Because this is a much lower raising , you’re able to capture the colors here well into October . And be sure to try some of the ball from the Pinyon Pines , which are also quick for picking in the fall .
University of Nevada, Las Vegas|Photo by Nicole Rupersburg for Thrillist
Floyd Lamb Park|Kit Leong/Shutterstock
Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge|Kent & Charlene Krone/Purestock/Getty Images
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge|Flickr/USFWS Pacific Southwest Region
Cave Lake State Park|Flickr/Bob Bales
Great Basin National Park|Arlene Waller/Shutterstock
