If you want to plan a getaway or a day trip this fall to see some of Nevada's natural beauty, consider one or more of these 11 great options to see the leaves change color.
1. Great Basin National Park
As the National Park Service puts it, "When autumn arrives, Great Basin National Park shows its colors with groves of aspen trees dotting the mountains in hues of yellow, red, and gold. The air is cool and crisp, uncrowded trails beg to be explored, and pine nuts are ready for picking." (1)
2. Floyd Lamb Park
Floyd Lamb Park sits on about 680 acres near Las Vegas and has many cottonwoods and oaks along four different lakes. You can see the leaves change to beautiful oranges and yellows during the fall. Learn more about the park at the City of Las Vegas website. (2)
3. Bowers Mansion Regional Park
Bowers Mansion Regional Park on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains in New Washoe City (south of Reno) also has some gorgeous foliage in the autumn. While you're there, take a tour of the beautiful historic property. It was owned by Comstock Lode mining boom millionaires Eilley and Sandy Bowers and has been a popular tourist spot since the Victorian era. Find out more at the Washoe County website. (3)
4. Spring Mountain National Recreation Area
Spring Mountain National Recreation Area, which is around 15 minutes from Las Vegas, is a great place for camping, hiking, or biking, so you can enjoy the autumn leaves while having outdoor exercise and/or family time. Find additional information from the U.S. Forest Service. (4)
5. Ruby Lake Wildlife Refuge
If you'd like to check out a great conservation area, Ruby Lake Wildlife Refuge might be for you. It includes 17,000 acres of marsh and hundreds of species of waterfowl. It's a hotspot for many fishermen, wildlife photographers, and travelers from everywhere. Travel Nevada has more information. (5)
6. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge has the highest concentration of endemic species in the United States, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It includes four endangered fish species, eight threatened or endangered plant species, dune fields, alkali seeps, and groves of mesquite and ash trees, as well as spring systems fed by fossil water that originated from the last Ice Age. (6)
7. Reno Riverwalk District
The Reno Riverwalk District is a wonderful place to walk along the Truckee River and see the beautiful colors that autumn has to offer. There are shops, restaurants, and bars, as well. Find out more about this destination at its official website. (7)
8. Lamoille Canyon
Lamoille Canyon features a marvelous scenic byway that winds around its base and up about 8,000 feet. Along with the autumn leaves, there are wildflowers, wildlife (including mountain goats and bighorn sheep), and waterfalls to take in. Check out what visitors have had to say about the canyon at TripAdvisor. (8)
9. The Carson River
Google "Carson River autumn leaves," and you'll get an idea of the beautiful landscapes you'll be able to witness along the river. The main stream of the river is 131 miles long, and with the addition of the East Fork, it stretches to 205 miles across five counties. That's plenty of scenery for anyone to take in on an autumn day. The Department of Wildlife has more information about the river. (9)
10. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe National Scenic Byway is a 28-mile stretch of lakeside highway from Stateline to Crystal Bay with breathtaking views of the deep blue alpine lake ringed with tall pines and snow-capped mountain peaks. The byway is actually two highways – U.S. 50 from Stateline to Spooner Lake, and State Route 28 from Spooner Lake to Crystal Bay. “Visit Lake Tahoe” will help you plan your trip. (10)
11. Mt. Rose Highway
Check out State Route 431, or Mt. Rose Highway, which runs from Reno up the hillside, roughly 8,900 feet above sea level. This is another great scenic route not only for fall colors, but also for views of the city. ExploringNevada.com has additional information. (11)
There is no shortage of places in Nevada to experience breathtaking views of the autumn leaves changing colors. Plan now to check out one or more of the places above to experience some of the special beauty the Silver State has to offer.
1.https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/hours.htm#:~:text=NPS%20Photo-,Fall,nuts%20are%20ready%20for%20picking.
2. https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Residents/Parks-Facilities/Floyd-Lamb-Park
3. https://www.washoecounty.gov/parks/specialty_facilities/bowers_mansion.php
4. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/htnf/recarea/?recid=65168
5. https://travelnevada.com/wildlife/ruby-lake-national-wildlife-refuge/
6. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash-meadows
7. https://www.renoriver.org/
8. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g45962-d143302-Reviews-Lamoille_Canyon-Lamoille_Nevada.html
9. https://www.ndow.org/waters/carson-river/
10. https://visitlaketahoe.com/thing-to-do/lake-tahoe-scenic-byway/
11. https://www.exploringnevada.com/scenic-drives/mt-rose-scenic-drive.php