Experience Mono County in its most colorful season! From scenic drives to local festivals, fall brings vibrant foliage and memorable events for the whole family. Discover what’s happening this autumn and plan your perfect fall getaway.

September

The Mono Lake Committee offers Field Seminars all year long with wide array of topics. September and October are especially good months to participate – crisp mornings and fall colors make the outings extra enjoyable. Fire ecology, geology, fall colors, arborglyphs are just a few of the fall programs, or get more hands-on with the watercolor painting and photography workshops. 

Bodie Ghost Walk Tours on September 5 and 26. What better way to visit California's official ghost town than for a ghostly night in Bode after-hours. You can enjoy one or two of the tour options in addition to a free astronomy talk after dark.

Convict Lake, just south of Mammoth Lakes, is certainly is one of the most popular rod and reel destinations in Mono County. Toss your line in for the chance to win prizes during the Ambush at the Lake from through November 15.

The Burgers, Beers, & Bags Cornhole Tournament in Bridgeport on September 6 is sure to be a good time! What could be better than delicious food, craft beer, and cornhole? Fill your belly and enjoy the friendly competition while you support this fundraiser for the Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department.

June Lake Jam Fest  will be jamming from September 11-13 in beautiful June Lake, CA. The Jam Fest team has assembled the perfect lineup featuring returning musicians and new performers who will make their debut at June Lake Jam Fest 11 – “Music in a Magical Place” Edition.

Crowley Lake Fish Camp hosts their annual fly-fishing catch-and-release tournament, the Stillwater Classic, on September 12. Fun for everyone with several categories: individual, ladies, juniors, and teams. All proceeds support the fishery and stocking Crowley Lake. 

Second Sundays are officially a thing. On September 13th  join local makers, neighbors, and motel guests as they turn the Andruss Motel courtyard into a laid-back Antelope Valley hangout on Highway 395, with local vendors, live music, and an easygoing open mic where first-timers and old pros are equally welcome. All ages, free to attend, and hosted at the Andruss Motel in Walker / Coleville, CA from 5–8 PM every second Sunday—come shop, sing, or just kick back and soak up the high desert evening air. 

Locals, visitors and lovers of the land of all ages are invited to participate in Mono County Stewardship and Interpretive Events on a variety of dates from June - October with groups like ESIA, Mono County Recreation, Mammoth Lakes Recreation, and /or Friends of the Inyo. Meet other outdoor enthusiasts while giving back to the beautiful public lands or learn something new about this incredible place.

Four fun-filled days of off-road adventure come September 15-19 at the Eastern Sierra ATV & UTV Jamboree in Coleville and Walker. Head out on several guided trail rides through the beautiful backcountry for an exhilarating event.

Throughout the year the National Park Service offers fee free days to help more experience the public lands and spaces. Two such days fall in the fall season - September 17 and October 27. This is a great opportunity to visit Yosemite National Park with FREE entrance - but please check the Park's website for more information. 

The fourth annual Mammoth TUFF gravel event will take place September 18-20, and offers three distances so you can explore your version of TUFF. The short and medium courses will circle the famous caldera while the long course will travel through the Volcanic Tableland formed by the eruption thousands of years ago. Most important bragging rights, win the BUFF.

The first Paint Mono County Competition is happening from September 20-27. When the fall colors paint the Sierra in shades of gold, capture the beauty of our region in this plein air competition, the first of many to come! Paint in the outdoors, and take part in daily events and workshops, and finish off with a celebratory reception (and compete for $4,000 in prize money!). Register by September 22nd. 

On September 20, join trail ambassador Katie for a guided geology hike around Convict Lake to read the stone walls surrounding the canyon to unfold a story that will take us from the ocean floor to the tops of volcanos.

From world-class trail races and community focused events, to free live entertainment, storytelling, and great local food, Mammoth Trailfest, September 24 -27, is a multi-day experience designed to increase access to trail and ultrarunning through opportunity, education, and trail stewardship.

Challenge your stamina and grit during the Ridge Rambler Half Marathon in Twin Lakes near Bridgeport on September 26. The race begins at about 7,100 feet and stretches downhill toward Buckeye Road, past alpine lakes and through rolling hills, finishing in Bridgeport at 6,600 feet. New this year, the race now has a 5k option!

Craft beer lovers rejoice as the June Lake Autumn Beer Festival returns to Gull Lake Park on September 26. Several breweries will have their suds on-tap in the ticketed beer garden, while the music, food vendors and overall family-friendly festival fun will be free and open to the public.

OkTUBERfest is rolling into Woolly’s Adventure Summit in Mammoth Lakes for two weekends, September 26 & October 3, of fall fun. Enjoy live music, face painting, pumpkin decorating, food and drink specials, Woolly’s Dance Party, and a stein hoist competition for adults. Pumpkin Patch at Woolly's Adventure Summit. Pick out your perfect pumpkin and decorate it on site or bring it home. 

October

On October 2, join the community of Walker for a Star Party where they will have high powered telescopes and knowledgeable volunteers from Western Nevada College to guide observations of the beautiful night sky.

Don't miss the Mammoth 200, October 2-6. This race is 218+ miles with two summits of Mammoth Mountain and the opportunity to take in the entire region. The most intense site seeing tour. Don't worry, there is a live stream for the entire event, so you can follow along from the couch.

The Benton Music and Arts Festival on October 3, is a family-friendly event featuring outstanding musical performers, delicious food, arts and crafts, and a strong sense of community spirit.

Chalfant Big Trees, Nursery, Farm and Feed opens it's annual pumpkin patch in October! Bring the kids for a day of fun with mazes, games, and vibrant decorations! Pack a lunch to enjoy by the waterfall while they explore. Plus, there will be hundreds of pumpkins and Halloween decorations to enjoy.

Leaves in the Loop is a fall festival from October 9-11 in June Lake. This colorful weekend is packed full of amazing activities, including a Pottery Paint N Sip with local expert artisan Ken Willingham (of Willingham Clay Studio), chili cookoff, classic car show, pumpkin patch, Fall Art workshop with Mono Arts Council, guided historical walk, and an online photography contest. Stay tuned to the June Lake Loop's website and social channels for more information. 

October 10, join in on an exclusive ghost investigation of Benton Hot Springs - including the General Store, Wai Wera Hotel, Benton Cemetery and more! Inn rooms and tub sites are reserved for event attendees - book before they sell out!

Bridgeport will welcome a brand-new fall celebration in 2026 with the 1st Annual Bridgeport Oktoberfest! Scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, this lively outdoor event will take place in the spacious backyard area of the newly reopened Sportsmen’s Bar & Restaurant in downtown Bridgeport. Guests can look forward to an afternoon and evening of live music, games and local brews!

Participate in the Miles for Mammograms - a 2-mile community walk that raises awareness and removes cost barriers to lifesaving screening. Whether you’re walking for yourself, in honor of someone you love, or simply to support local care, your registration directly fuels affordable mammograms for our community. Every step supports Mammoth Hospital Foundation’s affordable mammography program.

October 23-25 enjoy fall colors while you fish and have a chance to win prizes at Convict Lakes during the Morrison’s Bonus Derby Weekend .

As the colorful fall color season comes to an end, join Sierra Forever at their annual Eastern Sierra History Conference from October 23-25 with Historian-led discussions coving everything from the people, culture and traditions of the Eastern Sierra region.

To see more great events happening throughout Mono County,

please visit our Events Calendar.