Yay! The aspens in the upper reaches of Great Basin National Park are starting their annual fall show. Liz Woolsey, owner of Bristlecone General Store and Stargazer Inn in Baker, Nevada, has one word for how things are looking right now in the upper elevations of the park: “GORGEOUS!”
On September 14, 2025, she drove up Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and hiked the Alpine Lakes Trail. As you can see from the photos she provided, the color is really looking spectacular with some reds showing up by the Summit Trailhead.
“The fall color is happening earlier this year,” Liz said, “perhaps because of the dry winter.”
Indeed, if you look at the photos she sent us last year at about the same time, the color is a bit farther ahead this year.
Many of the trees are near peak in the upper reaches of the park at 9,000 feet and above, although there are some trees holding on to their green.
When To Visit Great Basin National Park for Fall Foliage
If you want to see the autumn foliage happening at the higher elevations of Great Basin National Park, we recommend visiting ASAP—ideally within the next two weeks. After that point, you can still catch some beautiful color at the 6,000, 7,000, and 8,000 foot level, so it’s still worth a visit.
Baker Creek Road in the park is a good destination for mid-season fall color, usually by the second week in October.
September 18 – 21, 2025 is the annual Great Basin Astronomy Festival. It’s a fun event that showcases the park’s dark sky, but keep in mind there will be more people in the area during the event.
Lodging and Stores Near Great Basin National Park
We recommend Stargazer Inn as a great place to stay near the park. They’re a short distance from the National Park entrance, so they’re very convenient, and it’s nice to be near the restaurants in Baker. Stargazer just opened three new cabins.
Stargazer Inn does tend to fill up, but it does have some limited availability this fall. Plus, there are always cancellations, so we recommend you visit their website to see what’s available.
If you’re staying in a cabin somewhere in the area or camping, Bristlecone General Store in Baker is a good option to find food to cook, as well as books and gifts. They had a good selection of grass-fed meats when we visited there last.
Great Basin National Park Fall Color Update As of September 17, 2025
9,000 Feet and Above – Near Peak. There should be color here until at least September 28, unless a big windstorm or snowstorm rolls in.
8,000 – 9,000 Feet – A mixture of reds, yellows, and greens.
