Colors & Comets: Fall Foliage Meets Stargazing in Yosemite Mariposa County

komorebi [koh-moh-ray-bee]
Japanese 木漏丸日
  Sunlight filtering through the forest canopy.

With its Gold Rush history and boot leather vibe, Yosemite Mariposa County would seem an unlikely poster child for refined Japanese aesthetics. But come autumn, when the sun finds that perfect angle and the leaves begin the turn, this radiant phenomenon awakens in the most dazzling way.

Boasting the confluence of three wilderness areas — Yosemite National Park, Sierra National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest — Yosemite Mariposa County provides a vast stage for this interplay of shadow and hue. Blend in crisp autumn nights unbothered by the city lights back home, and you can hike through the stunning palette of komorebi by day then watch stars dance across the blue-black sky after dark. A kaleidoscope of fall experiences in a single visit.

Fall Colors By Day

Due to an elevation range of 12,000 feet, the adage “autumn marches downhill” rings especially true in Yosemite Mariposa County. Translation?  Fall colors first appear in the cooler, high elevations of the Sierra crest, then make their merry way downward to the lower elevations of the Sierra foothills.  The result is a vivid display that flashes from yellows to oranges and reds over the course of consecutive weeks.

To enjoy fall’s first colors, head up to the Yosemite high country along Tioga Road. Golden stands of quaking aspen can be found in places like the Tuolumne Grove trailhead and Yosemite Creek Picnic Area, while low-growing grouseberry and whortleberry flash orangey red along Highway 120 up to Tenaya Lake. Set at 8,150 feet and flanked by unique granite domes, the 2.5 mile loop along its sapphire shores is pure pixel magic as autumn cumulus clouds keep pace overhead. Note: Tioga Road closes with first winter snow so be sure to check current road conditions before heading up. When To Go: Typically late September through October, though timing can shift from year-to-year due to conditions that cause the color change.

At an elevation of 4,000 ft, Yosemite Valley is the next colorscape to unfurl.  The diverse cast of players include bigleaf maples, dogwoods, black oaks, and black cottonwoods which enjoy life along the Merced River. A fan favorite is the electric red sugar maple across from the Yosemite Valley Chapel (fall wedding, anyone?). For a komorebi hike try the section of the Valley Floor Loop Trail between Bridalveil Fall and the Four Mile Trailhead along the Valley’s south wall. When To Go: Typically mid October through November.

Situated at the same elevation as Yosemite Valley, the wooded enclave of Wawona invites guests to a quieter color wheel as you drive along Highway 41 (Wawona Road). Black oaks, dogwoods and bigleaf maples can be found, as well as black cottonwoods along the meandering South Fork of the Merced River. Stretch out your legs along the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail, then check out the outdoor exhibits of the Yosemite History Center nearby. Surrounded by the Sierra National Forest just outside Yosemite’s South Entrance is the historic community of Fish Camp, where aspen flutter autumn gold along Big Creek and the Summerdale Campground. For more bold colors, pop over to Tenaya at Yosemite for a signature High Sierra Bloody Mary at this luxe mountain resort. When To Go: Typically mid October through November.

As we chase the fall colors down the Sierra slope, the rolling foothills of Mariposa County come into sharp relief with oak-studded vistas, stately barns and horses grazing on dry grasslands. Leaf peeping here is more about slow drives along historic backroads combined with lunch or dinner stops at the regions charming Gold Rush towns. The Chinese Pistache trees across from the old west Jeffrey Hotel in Coulterville add a pop of red come late October, while the black oaks dotting the ranchlands from Catheys Valley to Hornitos capture the mood of local country life. The town of Mariposa is a must-stop for its history as “the mother of all counties” when California first became a state (1850), not to mention its dining options and shopping. When To Go: Late October through November.

Stargazing By Night

Far from the city lights and predictable routines back home, Yosemite Mariposa County is the perfect place to get lost in the stars. Celestial bodies stretch out endlessly whether your “starbase” is one of its signature meadow clearings, unobstructed vista points or even the porch of your rental cabin. Champagne supernova never sounded so good.

Getting closer to the stars always makes them sparkle a little brighter, and climbing Tioga Road for some high country stargazing does just that. A stop at Olmsted Point feels so close that you can reach out and grab the handle of the Big Dipper, while farther up the road the image of moonlight rippling Tenaya Lake will stick with you forever.

For another high elevation stargazing experience, head up Glacier Point Road to the Glacier Point Overlook where the Milky Way is visible on moonless nights, and moonrises during the rest of the month are pure pizza pie over the distant Yosemite backcountry. Nearby Washburn Point is another gem — fewer people, equally impressive views.

As the nexus point for all things Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley provides stargazing that’s all about angles and reflections.  Your view isn’t as panoramic, but the interplay between the night sky the Valley’s massive rock formations looming overhead — not to mention the glow of moonlight off sheer granite — is hard to beat.  Some prime viewing spots include El Capitan Meadow, the boardwalk at Cook’s Meadow, the Swinging Bridge and Tunnel View.

Wawona offers its own celestial sorcery as you cruise the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail and witness the twinkling over Southern Yosemite. With over a hundred properties nestled in Wawona, there’s no better spot to relax on the porch of your cabin rental, hot beverage in hand, as the shooting stars animate the cool autumn night.

Autumn Stargazing Tips

Any time in autumn is prime for Sierra stargazing, but several annual meteor showers are worth considering when planning your travel:  the Orionids (Oct 2 – Nov 12, 2025/peaking Oct 22-23); the Leonids (Nov 3 to Dec 2, 2025/peaking Nov 16-17); and the Geminids (Dec 1 – Dec 21, 2025/peaking Dec 12-13). Note that Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road (past Badger Pass Ski Area) close for the winter so be sure to check current road conditions.

While moonless nights make for the best conditions to see the full palette of stars, some visitors enjoy a hearty full-moon hike as Yosemite’s granite walls reflect a silvery glow. Check out the moon and planet phases this autumn, find a place to stay and get ready for a good howl.

For us space cowboys who want some company and a trusted guide, there are stargazing programs offered in Yosemite Mariposa County that extend into the autumn months. Yosemite National Park offers several nighttime tours, as does the Yosemite Conservancy. Sierra-lux resort Tenaya at Yosemite takes advantage of its heavenly perch with on-site offerings such as Sierra Stargazing, Evening Telescopes and a Night Skies Package, while AutoCamp Yosemite includes stargazing “happenings” in its lively calendar.

A Whole Lot Greater

It’s often said that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and that certainly holds true for a fall visit to Yosemite Mariposa County.  Basking in komorebi by day, seeking celestial inspiration by night, it all adds up to an unforgettable experience at a moment in time when the Park is quieter, the air crisper. Rent a cabin with a porch beneath the stars or cuddle in your camp chairs as Polaris helps you find your true north. Combine this with fall travel specials and your Colors & Comets getaway is complete. Let the kaleidoscope spin!