Best Fall Hikes in the Eastern Sierra for Everyone

If you’re the kind of person who says, “I wish fall lasted longer”, we have the perfect solution: the Eastern Sierra. Here, fall doesn’t just stick around for a few weeks. It lasts for months! In fact, Bishop is home to what is arguably the longest fall color display in the country. Go ahead and soak in all that vibrant fall foliage. Set out on foot to one of the best fall hikes in the Eastern Sierra that everyone can enjoy.

Quick Tip

Fall foliage lasts so long here thanks to the dramatic changes in elevation over a short distance. Instead of turning all at once, the colors begin high up in the mountains and gradually work their way down.

Even then, one canyon might be at peak color while a nearby one has barely started to change. That’s why it’s a good idea to check the Bishop Weekly Fall Color Report for the latest updates before heading out.

For a complete guide to fall colors in the Eastern Sierra, check out the Bishop Visitors Center’s Fall Color Tutorial.

Parchers to South Lake

Location: Bishop Creek Canyon
General Bloom: early September to early October
Difficulty: Easy| Distance: 3 miles (out & back) | Elevation Gain: 682 Feet

Here’s a hidden trail that’s literally right under your nose. Starting at Parchers Resort, the Rainbow Pack Station Trail leaves the resort grounds and follows alongside South Fork Bishop Creek and its tributaries. For the first three-quarters of a mile, you’ll stroll beneath a beautiful canopy of aspens. Then, as you climb higher, you’ll be rewarded with amazing canyon views that lead all the way up to the iconic South Lake. Why not make this trail part of your South Lake Photo Tour for the day? It’s a sweet way to add some fresh scenery to your adventure.

Lake Sabrina to Blue Lake Trail

Location: Bishop Creek Canyon
General Bloom: early September to early October
Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 5.9 miles (out & back) | Elevation Gain: 1,453 Feet

Bishop Creek Canyon is one of the first places in the region to burst into fall color each year. For a breathtaking, elevated perspective of the foliage, you’ll want the Lake Sabrina to Blue Lake Trail.

While Blue Lake is especially picturesque in autumn, you don’t have to hike the full trail to enjoy the scenery. Just continue a bit past the Tyee Lakes junction, where you will be rewarded with a sweeping panorama of the Lake Sabrina Basin. A view where vibrant fall colors cascade down the mountains like a watercolor masterpiece.

Rock Creek Lake Loop

Location: Rock Creek Canyon
General Bloom: mid-September to mid-October
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 1.6 miles (Loop) | Elevation Gain: 100 Feet

One of the highest alpine lakes you can reach by car, Rock Creek Lake offers an easy stroll along its shoreline, surrounded by shimmering aspens and framed by a dramatic mountain backdrop. While not an official trail, the route begins at the dock and follows a mix of access roads and classic singletrack that hugs the lake’s edge.

Looking to make a full day of it?

Head a bit lower in elevation to Lower Rock Creek Canyon, home to some of the best fall mountain biking in the region and incredible trail running. It’s truly the gold standard for autumn rides and runs. For those seeking more of a challenge, the Tamarack Cutoff Loop offers a bird’s eye view of Rock Creek Lake. A perfect cherry on top to your adventure.

*Lower Rock Creek Canyon is a shared-use trail. Be sure to watch for hikers, dogs, and fast downhill mountain bikers. You’ll also encounter anglers, so keep an eye out for fishing poles and hooks. If you want to avoid most mountain bikers, park at the second pullout (the mid-section) and hike downhill to the bridge and the back of the lowest part of Lower Rock Creek.

Buckley Ponds Loop

Location: Owens Valley
General Bloom: mid to late October
Difficulty: Easy | Distance: ~3 miles (Loop) | Elevation Gain: 70 feet

As the first snow dusts the highest peaks, the colors of fall begin to trickle down into the Owens Valley. Just east of Main Street lies a hidden gem in the Owens River Valley—the Buckley Ponds. It’s where golden cottonwoods line the water’s edge and big views stretch in every direction.

This warm-water fishery is open for casting year-round, but in fall, it’s especially worth a visit. You can make a scenic loop around the chain of small ponds, following quiet access roads with very little traffic.

Birchim Lane

Location: Round Valley
General Bloom: mid to late October
Difficulty: Very Easy | Distance: Miles | Elevation Gain: ~100 feet

This isn’t so much a hike as it is a park, stroll, and capture-the-moment kind of experience. Just outside of Bishop, this rustic “old country road” is exactly what you imagine an unpaved backroad should be. Lined with towering cottonwoods that burst with color each year and framed by the mighty Sierra in the background, it’s a photographer’s dream. It’s no surprise that Dodge once tried to pass this road off as being in Europe for a commercial.

Bishop City Park

Location: Downtown
General Bloom: mid to late October
Difficulty: Very Easy | Distance: 1 Mile | Elevation Gain: ~50 feet

When you have a backyard as vast as the Eastern Sierra, it’s easy to overlook some of the hidden-in-plain-sight gems—like Bishop City Park.

Located in the heart of town, this 44-acre park feels like an outdoor arboretum, designed to showcase the region’s incredible ability to produce vibrant fall colors. A scenic walking path winds past the pond, and a small bridge leads you over the water to a gazebo. The perfect spot for soaking in the shimmering reflections of Mother Nature’s show on the glassy surface.

For more easy hikes, check out Bishop’s Day Hikes story map.