Free Fallin’

Fall is a special time of year in Carson Valley and offers the perfect time to slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the cooler days and bursts of color in and around the area. After an action-packed summer, we welcome that happy transition and all fall has to offer! Here are some great ideas to get you out and about, so grab your Uggs and pumpkin spice latte and join the fun!

Fall in Hope Valley

Fall in Hope Valley

There are several spots in and around Carson Valley to witness the beautiful fall colors!  Grab your camera and head just down the road to Hope Valley or Monitor Pass, where the aspens are known to put on a grand show. Stop in for a bite to eat at Sorenson’s Café for the perfect bookend to a fall day.

Genoa is another excellent choice for some foliage peeping, but truly, you could meander the length of the valley from Clear Creek (Jacks Valley) to Topaz Lake and you are sure to be treated to beautiful fall landscapes the whole trip!

Generally, fall starts to treat us to her colors around mid-September, but keep your eye on the overnight temperatures as that is a key indicator. When the nights get colder and the days shorter, the leaves start to change. Use this awesome fall foliage prediction map to time it just right!

Feeding the goats at Corley Ranch.

Pro Tip: The best time to photograph is usually the “golden hour”, the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.

What started as a funding need for streetlights has exploded into the event of the year; with over 300 craft and food vendors and visitors from all over the country. The Candy Dance takes place at the end of September each year. Click here to learn all about the history and fun facts of the candy dance!

Give em’ pumpkin to talk about at Corley Ranch’s Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch. Running the month of October, Corley Ranch is perfect for all ages. During the week, you can check out the patch and pick out your perfect pumpkin. On the weekend, the whole family can be entertained by getting lost in a corn maze, watching pigs’ race (not even kidding!), jumping on a hayride, or petting the friendliest goats around.

Take advantage of the cooler days and head out on the trail! Carson Valley has over 50 miles of trails to be explored and appreciated. For a chance at some fall colors, check out the Clear Creek, Fay Luther- Jobs Peak Ranch and Genoa Trail systems (check out the Carson Valley Trails Association website for maps) and grab lunch at Genoa’s Pink House afterward!

Photo courtesy of the Carson Valley Trails Association.

There’s truly no better time of the year to swing a golf club and Carson Valley has four awesome courses, that are not only epic in greens but also in views. The backdrops of each are so nice, you won’t even care if you zing a slice off the tee box!

Have you ever seen a coffin race? No? You’re missing out. Add it to your bucket list and come on over during the Mainstreet Gardnerville’s Annual Fall Festival, complete with scarecrow making, a Sip n’ Stroll and of course…the aforementioned coffin races. Yep, it is exactly as it sounds; totally awesome.

Prefer to spend some of your day inside? Immerse yourself in the western heritage of the Carson Valley through Dangberg Ranch and the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville. The Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center is open year round with some events taking place on the weekends as well. The grounds of Dangberg Ranch are open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. The ranch house is open April to October, Tuesdays through Sundays, from 1-4pm.

Fall golfing in Carson Valley.

These are just a few of the many activities to enjoy during this upcoming season.  So start planning, because Carson Valley is the perfect place to do fall, ya’ll!

Note: Please visit our Travel Planning Resources page and our events calendar to stay updated on any changes or additions to fall activities!