The red maples and yellow cottonwoods are making for a colorful combination right now in Carson Valley, south of Carson City. The maples are mostly at peak and are adding brilliant swatches of reds throughout yards and ranches in the valley. A few maples are lagging behind and are just barely turning, but most are in the middle of their grand finale for the season.
Cottonwoods are in the Getting Better stage at 40%, especially around Genoa. Many of the trees are part yellow and part green, creating a nice contrast that makes for good photos. A small number of the cottonwoods on the path between Wally’s and Genoa are at peak.
The area around Cradlebaugh Bridge on Highway 395 between Carson City and Minden also is Getting Better at 40%, with some beautiful afternoon reflections in the Carson River. Please be careful of traffic whizzing past if you stop here to take photos.
For a pleasant fall color drive, combine an excursion through Jack’s Valley Road and Genoa back to Highway 88, then up to Woodfords Canyon and back. As of October 12, upper Woodfords Canyon is near peak to peak.
There is wet weather predicted Monday – Wednesday of this week, with snow above 6500 feet, so keep an eye on the weather before you venture out.
Carson Valley Fall Color Update, October 11, 2025
• Cottonwoods – Getting Better (40%), but a patch of trees on the trail between Wally’s and Genoa is past peak.
• Maples – At Peak (75%)
