Campers Will Love This Stunning Fall Foliage Destination Less Than An Hour From Lake Tahoe

Attention all leaf-peepers! It may be the last week of October, but there's still time to plan the perfect fall trip before the arrival of Old Man Winter. RV and tent campers alike want to know how to prepare for unexpected bad weather, just as much as colorful leaf enthusiasts look to prepare for peak fall foliage. Located under an hour away from Lake Tahoe, you'll find a stunning destination boasting fall colors well into late-October.

Coming from the southern point of Lake Tahoe where Highways 88 and 89 meet, you'll arrive at Hope Valley, an underrated area of California that boasts seriously gorgeous fall foliage. With the Sierra Mountains in the background, they provide the perfect backdrop to aspen trees that give off bright yellow, orange, and red colors every autumn.

While most fall foliage chasers tend to take in the best of New England when it comes to taking a road trip to get picturesque views, some incredibly stunning scenery can be found right in Hope Valley, so make sure to rent a car and hit the road before the fall colors disappear until next year. Why should the east coast get all the fall foliage attention, right?

According to a few Redditors in the r/norcalhiking subreddit, Hope Valley tops the list for their favorite off-the-radar camping sites. u/Foothills83 lists their must-see campsites in Hope Valley while mentioning the scenery. "Hope Valley. Forest Service campgrounds off Highway 89 north of Truckee. Lee Vining. Conway Summit. Sonora Pass. Mammoth. Convict Lake. Bishop Creek drainage. These are all places where I've personally seen gorgeous Aspen groves during the late September through early-/mid-October timeframe. Make sure you have warm sleeping bags."

Along Highway 88, you'll find safe spots to pull your car over to fully enjoy the incredible views of colorful foliage. Not only will your breath be taken away due to the higher elevation of Carson's Pass if you're heading south from Lake Tahoe, but the epic scenery at 8,573 feet above sea level is breathtaking with peaks as your backdrop. Surrounded by mountain views, while the crisp fall air invigorates you during a hike as you take in the scenery, sounds like the perfect autumn day.

With so many campgrounds, hiking trails, and open fields to discover in Hope Valley, the best way to see it all is to stay a night or two in the nearby area. Desolation Hotel offers the best of both worlds when it comes to places to stay. Mixing luxury with modern amenities, leaf-peepers can rent cabins, glamping yurts, and tent campsites. The grounds of Desolation Hotel even have a couple places to grab a bite before or after hitting trails.

After spending time admiring colorful fall foliage, strap on your hiking shoes and hit the many trails located in the Hope Valley area. The five-mile Lake Margaret Trail is located in Kirkwood right off Highway 88, and is a popular out-and-back hiking trail. Although considered a somewhat easy trail with hardly any elevation gain, the trail isn't well marked, so it's recommended to download offline maps. The stunning meadows, lakes, rivers, and wildflowers make the hike well worth the 2.5-hour-long trek.

For those looking for a physical challenge that's sure to get their heart rate pumping, why not tackle the 12-mile out-and-back alpine Burnside Lake Trail that takes about 5.5-hours and has an elevation gain of 1,397 feet. Off-road enthusiasts looking for some fun weigh in on their favorite routes on the Overland Bound website. One user named slomatt says "If you are looking for a mellow trail in that area one option is to explore the Indian Valley area which can be accessed off of Blue Lakes Road just west of Burnside Lake Road. Alternatively you can enter on Forestdale Road, but that is a bit more tricky and has an off camber section."

Wildlife lovers will enjoy a visit to the Hope Valley Wildlife Area to view species such as mule deer, black bear, bobcat, and many more. Located just 12 miles from South Lake Tahoe, outdoor activities such as photography, hiking, snowshoeing, as well as seasonal fishing and hunting can be done according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife official website.