I drove up Kingston Canyon on October 8, 2026 and pulled over into a turnout, in awe of the ribbon of red, orange, yellow, and green aspens that curved along the base of a mountain.
The most dramatic autumn color in the canyon right now is just below Groves Lake. But there are a couple of other places along the road where the aspens are glowing gold.
A perfectly oval-shaped grove of aspens on the hillside just past Kingston Campground is poised to put on a show within the next five to seven days, weather permitting. Right now, it’s about 50% green and 50% yellow-orange.
The other type of deciduous trees growing along the road (I believe they’re birches) are a mixture of yellow and green and not quite at peak. The ground is speckled with pretty yellow leaves under the birches.
Grove’s Lake is really low this year, but since your gaze will be drawn to the colorful trees, the fact that the lake isn’t as scenic as normal isn’t much of an issue.
About the Road to Groves Lake
The road seemed worse to me this year. It was very rocky. But I may just have been paranoid since two days before I had a flat tire on Baker Creek Road in Great Basin National Park, a dirt road that’s much better than this one.
You’re going to need a high-clearance vehicle like an SUV or a pick-up truck on this road. Be sure to carry a spare tire and know how to change a flat. Cell phone service is poor to non-existent up here.
Will the Incoming Storm Ruin the Fall Foliage?
A storm is predicted for Saturday night through at least Tuesday of next week. The wind could blow off leaves that are already at peak, freeze the leaves that are still green, or turn them brown.
Snow could fall at 7,500 feet or above. Rain at lower elevations.
Last year, I was at Kingston Canyon during a similar storm. During that storm, a lot of the leaves, even those at peak, stayed on the trees. And it never got cold enough to freeze the foliage. I’m hoping that it’s the same this year. That way, we estimate the color might hang in there until middle to late next week. Plus, snow-capped peaks as a background to the autumn color will look amazing.
Central Nevada Fall Color Report, October 8, 2026
Town of Kingston – Still mostly green
Grove’s Lake Approach – At Peak (75%)
Middle Kingston Canyon Road – Near Peak (60%)
Austin Summit – Looking less than ideal right now. Most of the trees are Past Peak. The remainder (maybe 40% of the trees) are either still green or yellow.
Towns of Baker, Austin, and Fallon – Most of the cottonwoods and other deciduous trees are still green with patches of color here and there. Austin has a trio of golden trees looking pretty as you descend down from Austin Summit into the town.
