When do the leaves change in Nevada?

Nevada typically peaks Sep 20 – Sep 28, centered on Sep 24. High aspen peaks late September to early October. These are typical dates from a latitude and elevation model, not a live reading of this year's canopy.

Does elevation change when fall color peaks in Nevada?

Yes, by about 16 days. High ground around 10,500 ft peaks near Sep 15, while valleys near 6,000 ft wait until Oct 1. Peak moves roughly 3.5 days earlier for every 1,000 feet you climb, so if you miss it low you can often drive up and find it.

Where are the best places to see fall color in Nevada?

We track 1 verified location in Nevada, including Lamoille Canyon Road's End. Each has real coordinates, elevation and sunrise light times.

What trees turn color in Nevada?

Mainly quaking aspen, cottonwood. Yellows and oranges come from carotenoids that are already in the leaf, so they show up every year. Reds are made fresh each autumn and need warm sunny days with cool, frost-free nights, which is why a dry summer or a warm September produces a duller year.

Nevada Fall Foliage 2026

No change 0–10% Peak in about 53 days

Nevada's fall color concentrates in scattered high-elevation aspen stands, with Great Basin National Park and Lamoille Canyon offering the most accessible displays. Aspens at 10,500 feet turn first around mid-September, while valleys near 6,000 feet follow by early October. The season is short and localized, but these sites deliver reliable color with minimal crowds.

When Nevada peaks

Sep 20 – Sep 28

Centered on Sep 24. High aspen peaks late September to early October.

low confidence. Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.

Where peak usually lands. Drought or an early freeze moves it by a few days. Method

What turns here

quaking aspen
cottonwood

Yellows show up every year. Reds need sunny days and cool, frost-free nights. A bad year takes those first.

Color progression

Typical peak Sep 24

typical peak

Color starts around Sep 3.

Peak by elevation

16 days between the ridges and the valleys. County maps average this away, which is how you miss peak at the right place.

Elevation band	Approx. elevation	Typical peak	Today
High ridges & passes	10,500 ft	Sep 15	No change
Mid elevation	8,000 ft	Sep 24	No change
Valleys & lowlands	6,000 ft	Oct 1	No change

Foliage stages

No change 0–10%
First color 10–25%
Approaching peak 25–60%
Peak 60–90%
Past peak 40–70%, dropping
Bare <20%

Light at peak

Nevada on September 24, the day it typically peaks. Knowing when color arrives is one thing. Knowing where the sun will be is another.

Solar event times for Nevada on September 24
Event	Time
First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	5:59 AM
Sunrise Rises E · 90°	6:26 AM
Morning golden hour ends 35 min of low, warm light	7:02 AM
Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light	12:29 PM
Evening golden hour starts 35 min before sunset	5:56 PM
Sunset Sets W · 270°	6:31 PM
Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon	6:58 PM

Times in America/Los Angeles · day length 12h 5m · computed from NOAA solar equations

Which way to point the camera

Sun rises E, sets W.

Aim within 45° of those and the canopy glows translucent. Turn your back to them for flat, accurate color.

Location pages name the light directly.

Where to shoot in Nevada

1 researched location, earliest peak first.

Lamoille Canyon Road's End No change

Ruby Mountains · 8,789 ft · peaks Sep 18

Aspen pockets and maple fill a U-shaped glacial trough walled by 10,000-foot Ruby Mountain ridges. Road's End sits in the cirque at the top, where the color runs up the side gullies.

Recent reports from Nevada

Report what you saw

Common questions

When do the leaves change in Nevada?: Nevada typically peaks Sep 20 – Sep 28, centered on Sep 24. High aspen peaks late September to early October. These are typical dates from a latitude and elevation model, not a live reading of this year's canopy.
Does elevation change when fall color peaks in Nevada?: Yes, by about 16 days. High ground around 10,500 ft peaks near Sep 15, while valleys near 6,000 ft wait until Oct 1. Peak moves roughly 3.5 days earlier for every 1,000 feet you climb, so if you miss it low you can often drive up and find it.
Where are the best places to see fall color in Nevada?: We track 1 verified location in Nevada, including Lamoille Canyon Road's End. Each has real coordinates, elevation and sunrise light times.
What trees turn color in Nevada?: Mainly quaking aspen, cottonwood. Yellows and oranges come from carotenoids that are already in the leaf, so they show up every year. Reds are made fresh each autumn and need warm sunny days with cool, frost-free nights, which is why a dry summer or a warm September produces a duller year.