Chase Autumn Through Mountains and Lakes on This Fall Foliage Road Trip in Northern California

The first stop on our fall foliage road trip is beautiful Mammoth Lakes. This community is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is surrounded by many small, breathtaking bodies of water. You can easily enjoy the autumn palette in this area on several scenic drives, but we recommend lacing up your hiking boots and experiencing the vibrant colors on foot. While there are dozens of trails to consider, for a short and easy trail with gorgeous fall views, consider the Gull Lake Loop.

Hope Valley is the type of place that will make you fall in love with Northern California. While gorgeous at any time of year, the South Lake Tahoe area is adorned with trees such as willows, cottonwoods, and aspens that transform each autumn. This is another area where scenic drives and hiking are two of the best ways to enjoy the fall foliage.

Hope Valley is an excellent place to stop for the night, especially if you book a reservation at Desolation Hotel – Hope Valley. This is a retreat where glamping meets luxury with historic cabins, yurts, campsites, and more.

In the summer, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is quite popular, but autumn is a delightful time to visit as crowds start to thin out and the area features a sea of color. Enjoy a few hours at Burney Falls, a 129-foot waterfall that is fed by underground springs, which provide a constant flow of nearly 100 million gallons of water per day. You can also stay to hike or fish at Lake Britton for a little more outdoor fun and scenic views.

For views that will astound and impress, you will not want to drive past Castle Crags State Park. This 4,350-acre state park is best known for its 6,000-foot glacier-made spires. However, it is also home to 28 miles of hiking trails, excellent picnicking, fishing, and camping. If you have the time, consider choosing a few trails to explore while surrounded by the beautiful fall leaves. If you only want to stop for a few hours, walk across the suspension bridge over the Sacramento River.

If you wish to sleep under the stars, Castle Crags State Park is home to 76 developed campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You may also consider staying in a nearby hotel or even a cozy vacation rental like this historic house that sleeps 10 and is approximately 11 miles from the state park.  

There are many reasons to visit Yosemite National Park in the autumn. The crowds are smaller, the weather is cooler, and the fall colors transform this NorCal national park. You can spend several days here, but for fall views, we recommend heading toward Yosemite Valley, which is where you’ll see many of the cliffs and waterfalls that this park is known for. Keep in mind, however, that during this time of year, the waterfalls typically have little flow.

Yes, there are many campgrounds and local vacation rentals where you can spend the night near Yosemite National Park, but for an unforgettable evening, book a stay at The Ahwahnee. This historic lodge was built in the 1920s, and as you walk around the hotel property, you can see several of the park’s most well-known natural features, like Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. In the fall, the grounds are also surrounded by fall foliage, making this a truly unforgettable and scenic place to spend the night.

The last destination on our road trip itinerary is Lundy Lake, which is truly stunning when surrounded by gold, orange, and red hues. This picturesque lake is a great place to spend a few hours fishing before you head home or you can even put on your hiking boots and tackle the Lundy Canyon Trail, which is a hike with steep inclines but you'll spot a waterfall, small bodies of water, and areas where you’ll find yourself completely immersed in Mother Nature's gorgeous creations.