Visiting Mono Lake, California – Everything You Need to Know

Mono Lake is one of the most alien landscapes you’ll find driving through the eastern Sierras, and it’s a must-stop for anyone passing through, en route to Mammoth or Yosemite .

Mono Lake is famous for its crumbling white tufa towers, emerging from an eerily still lake that is super high in salt as well as alkaline content. These strange rock formations made from limestone are a photographer’s dream in the sunrise and sunset hours, and they make for a fun stop to explore at any time of day.

Because Mono Lake has no outlet, the water comes in from rainfall, and continues to evaporate, so it’s now 3x as salty as the ocean. While there aren’t any fish for this reason, you might see brine shrimp, alkali flies, and birds, the main wildlife in the area.

How to Get There

Just half an hour north of Mammoth Lakes on Highway 395, or about 15 minutes east of Yosemite National Park, Mono Lake is easily accessible by car. Highway 395 runs along its western edge, and you can’t miss it as you drive up alongside the lake.

Lee Vining is the closest town, just a few minutes away, and is an easy drive to a few of the best viewpoints of the lake.

What it Costs

There is a $3 per adult (over 16) admission fee, accepted at the entrance booth. It’s on the honor system, so be ready with cash to put in the envelope. If you have an annual national parks pass (which I highly recommend), that’ll work too!

When to Go

Mono Lake is beautiful all year round. Summer is the busiest season, with more guided walks and canoe tours available. Spring and fall colors are beautiful near the lake, and winter is peaceful and gorgeous, especially if you can catch some snow on the tufas. The road to South Tufa is plowed if there’s snow.

Watch out for bad weather : Highway 395 can occasionally be closed for storms, and the last stretch of road to the lakeside is unpaved.

As for what time of day to visit, you’ll get the most beautiful light and shadows at sunrise or sunset. I recommend sunrise because there will be fewer people, and the water is most likely to be still early in the morning, so you can get that perfect reflection of the tufas on the water.

But it is pretty stunning at any time of day (you can even go for a moonlight walk or canoe tour after sunset!).

Where to Stop

Mono Lake’s South Tufa area is the most popular, and easily accessible by car and a short walk. There’s a parking lot, and a paved/wood/gravel path that takes you down to the lake.

Once there, you can wander down the dog-friendly trail among the tufa towers as far as you want. It’s very flat, easy to walk, and hard to get lost. You’ll probably see quite a few photographers setting up shots on their tripods if you’re there at sunrise or sunset. There’s also no shade, so be prepared with sunscreen and lots of water in summer!

What to Do

• Hike the trail (less than a mile) from the South Tufa area.
• Take a free naturalist-guided walking tour through the Mono Lake Committee to learn more about the lake, its tufa towers, and its wildlife.
• Take a canoe tour (also organized by the Mono Lake Committee) to get a unique view of the lake.
• Stop in at Whoa Nellie Deli, a well-known spot attached to the Mobile gas station, popular for its fish tacos and burgers
• Grab a coffee and a homemade pastry from Latte Da Coffee Café in Lee Vining and sit on their great patio to enjoy it. Free wi-fi too!

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