Stunning vista point to capture a view of Mono Lake. You…read morecan pull over temporarily and stretch your back while you're on a long road trip on US-395. There was also a map tourist info and history of Mono Lake.

Stunning view of Mono Lake from this visa point. There are no bathroom here at this vista point. I…read morebelieve this is vista point does have a shaded area if tyou want to sit down and enjoy the view of Mono Lake. I would recommend this as a stopping point along your travels of Mono County and Highway 108 and 395. There are no services in the area so if you need to rest, I would stop here and enjoy the view.

This review is for Panum Crater Trail which was a ~2.5 miles round trip that took ~1.5 hour to…read morecomplete. This was an unique hike that takes you to the rim of the crater overlooking Mono Lake as well as to the center of the crater filled with obsidian rocks! The trail was mostly sandy and a little rocky closer to the summit. The best views of Mono Lake are on the rim trail! AllTrails GPX route doesn't take you to the summit. Follow the trail for another ~0.2 miles to reach the summit for a brief view of Mono Lake. Required to drive ~0.5 miles on dirt road. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/VurvIs-_Cnw

STEPH JUDGEMENT: One of my favorite hikes in Mono County…read more I've been back several times now, and my appreciation for this place grows each time. And I've finally managed to remember "Bitch Hill" (a term I coined) on my last visit. For some reason I totally blocked it out from my first visit--maybe because I was trying hard not to be blown off the trail by a freak spring storm--but it's a section on the Rim Trail that's quite steep that'll definitely elevate your heart rate. I always start out with the Plug Trail to see all the rocks, and then go back down and do the Rim Trail for the views of the lake. It's not a long hike, but there is that "hill", lol.

A cool little park, located in the city of Lee Vining. It does have bathrooms, and let's be honest…read morea totally killer view of the lake It's an awesome spot after you've driven the twisty Tioga Pass, or come over the Sonora Pass and need a place to just kick back and relax

I recommend not checking out Tuolumne Meadows. The best part of the trip was stopping along…read moreOlmstead Point and Tenaya Lake before we got to the Meadows. The Meadows were swampy and not much to look at. There were also a crazy amount of mosquitoes, so definitely bring bugspray if you head out there. If you want to see a nice flat meadow area, I recommend checking out Yosemite Valley, with views of two of the best waterfalls in the area, Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls.

Beautiful as always. We came in late September 2025 and watched the sunrise over the meadow as we…read moredrove through after our stay at Porcupine Flat campground. The meadow was covered in frost and nearly blinding ad the sun hit it. It was about 35 degrees outside so we for-went our hike on pothole dome and just went for the scenic drive.

Quite the stunning park located right on the shores of Mono lake. The park itself is beautiful, and…read morethe views are incredible. Lots of lush grass, a stream, and tress dot the park. I was there early so the visitors center was closed. Plenty of picnic benches and gentle trails dot the park. The parking lot is small and it is off the beaten path so It is quite peaceful as well.

This is an absolutely GORGEOUS park located at one end of Mono Lake. My daughter and I spent some…read moretime here on a trip to June Lake and surrounding areas in October. There was no one else there except for an older couple having a picnic under a shady tree. They were so cute and happy enjoying their feast in such a pretty setting. The grass was green and lush and the trees are shady and mature. I highly recommend stopping here for a picnic lunch, reading a book, napping under a tree, or whatever your heart desires!

This visitor center, located north of Lee Vining to the east of Hwy 395, is a must stop no matter…read morewhat time of year you pass by. While the visitor center is opened seasonally, they have restrooms in front that remain open year-round and have been clean and well stocked every time I've visited. I believe they close overnight--so please check first. The visitor center has a beautiful gift shop, a ranger desk where you can get all your local exploring and curiosity questions answered, a kids coloring table, places to sit, a film, and natural history exhibits. There is also a vast and beautiful back patio space which provides ample viewing options of Mono Lake, the tufa, and the surrounding mountains and hills. There is a nature trail you can follow with better views of the lake. Cell service is spotty in this area, but there are a few spots in the parking lot where the service comes through. I have really enjoyed visiting here during different times of year. Every time I do, I learn something new from the volunteers and staff... They have always been able to help me identify a new animal I've spotted or give me "insider" information about a new adventure worthy of embarking on.

Mono Basin is such a beautiful and unique area to explore. There's an easy walking path that takes…read moreyou right to the lake, making it accessible and enjoyable. Along the way, you'll see fascinating volcanic rock formations and helpful signs that describe the surrounding vegetation, which really adds to the experience. Peaceful, scenic, and educational--a great stop for anyone visiting the area!

This is one of a kind lake . It was formed by underground fresh water . The lime stone formations…read moreare unique. When I first visited this lake many years ago, the lake was a lot bigger than now . We came around 5:30'pm amd the sun was setting . We saw the orange cloud in different shade and golden sun beam was reflected on the lake and he cloud at the same time . It was magical ! I am sad today to find out most of the lake water was re directed to Los Angeles area for other uses . The lake has shrink and the water becomes super salty . That affects the tiny shrimps that live inside the lake , the algae and the seabirds that eats the creatures that live in the water . I hope the situation would improve soon . We create a new problem to solve the existing problem.

It is off the main road to access this area, but only by a few miles and it's worth it. An easy…read moredrive, plenty of parking. An easy hike to the lake, flat with a slight descent. At the waters edge you can see several of the tufa's. You get a nice view across the lake. At the parking lot are some kiosks with information pertaining to the lake. Along the trail are some placards with additional history and information. The waters edge was covered with thousands of the alkali flies. Kind of gross but memorable! Also on the trail down are markers showing dates and what water levels were at that time. That really is impressive to see how low the lake was from its original level. At the parking lot is a payment station. It's 3$ per adult. Also some pit toilets at the end of the parking lot.

A cool little park, located in the city of Lee Vining. It does have bathrooms, and let's be honest…read morea totally killer view of the lake It's an awesome spot after you've driven the twisty Tioga Pass, or come over the Sonora Pass and need a place to just kick back and relax

I'm not sure why this little park doesn't get five stars from everyone. Yes, it's small, but the…read moretown (county?) has made great use of the space... * quiet location * convenient to highway 395 and with easy parking * extremely clean, bright bathrooms, open after dark * I felt safe * filtered water dispenser * free L2 car charging * view of Mono Lake * convenient to food and drink - just a two-block walk to Mono Cone (which I also recommend) or a gas station convenience store It's a great little place for a brief bite, a rest, or just to stretch your legs. I stopped here on both directions of my drive up and down Hwy 395. What's not to like?!

One of the most beautiful places in the area and that's saying a lot. Amazing trail starting a Big…read moreVirginia Lake and climbing to above 10000 ft and passing several more. It's like something you would see in the movies. As far as trails go they are good and well kept. Starting at Virginia which is seemingly the only one around and before you know it You've passed several lakes, Big Valley, Blue Lake, Green Lake, Trumbull Lake and Moat Lake a far piece up the trail. This particular trail is about 10miles out and back but you can push on or go back at any time. If you only walked 1 mile you would enjoy. Amazing views. Two bald eagles near the 10ft level as well as other wildlife. Even an old miners cabin that is said to be from the 1800s. My first time on this hike but not my last. Highly highly recommended.

HAD I KNOWN THIS WAS THE LAST TIME…read more.. Those who know me, know that I'm not much of a backpacker. The whole idea of sleeping in a bag, on air, in the cold, without a morning shower just doesn't appeal to me. All the years I've been hiking, decades, I only recently started backpacking. Goes back to the words of dad, "how can you say you don't like it if you don't try it?" Of course, he was referring to food, I'm the one that applies it to everything else. Hiking SisTa researched and planned to lead this trip for 10 crew members. Why only 10? Cuz she was able to obtain a permit for 10 people. Yes, a permit is required. Our first night was spent at Trumbull campground, half mile from the Virginia Lakes Trailhead, in the Hoover Wilderness, where she reserved a group campsite, for a reasonable fee. As the sun rose, so did we. With coffee brewin', oatmeal stewin', we prepped our gear for a seven mile trek with a gain/loss elevation of 1,500 ft. Trailhead sits at 9,805ft, with the highest point being Summit Pass at 11,100 ft. With the sun glowing in the bluest of blue skis, the brisk air was a sure sign it was going to be perfect weather for this heavy duty hike. The first lake we came across, but didn't cross, was Blue Lake. This lake separates two mountains & runs longer than it does wide. Just above the lake is an old dilapidated miner's cabin. Miner's sure were short & thin, the entrance was barely big enough for me to fit through, let alone full grown men. The interior is decorated with all things left behind; old furniture, including a table which still has items sitting on it. Did ya pack your fishing pole? At 10,240ft, big boulder create a frame for Cooney Lake. The first fishing hole since the trailhead. About another 100ft of elevation gain from Cooney, is Frog Lake. Rightfully named, we could hear the frog choir, ribbiting songs of the frog. Ok, enough stunning views of amazing lakes, we found ourselves in a green meadow. Smh, This trek is so amazing, can't believe it's real, but it is, & it's spectacular. Till we hit the switchbacks up the summit. Ugh!!! Visions of the 99 switchbacks hiking up to the summit of Mt. Whitney filled my mind. Pinch me, I can't believe my eyes, I'm so on top of the world. At 11,000 ft. the top of the summit Mother Nature is spread out, all virgin like, virtually untouched by man, she is so astonishingly beautiful. Trekking down the switchbacks heading toward a green meadow & super tall pine trees, was entirely the reward we needed after a strenuous ascent up the other side, to keep calm & hike on. Ok, well, we didn't really keep calm. Gasps, ooooh's, aha's, & all things expression, comprehensive sentences were just not. Hiking along a lake, we took a sharp right, just a few feet in, we were "home". We got really lucky, having met & chatted up a ranger on the way in, she told us where the estate sized campsite was, we found it, and it was unoccupied. Woo hoo!!! Perfect!! Not a minute to breath, we set up camp and prepped for dinner. As the sun set, the air turned crisp & shadows danced across the arid mountains creating dramatic performance by nature. Sitting around the campfire, in such peaceful surroundings, set the scene for reflection, appreciation, and memories that will last a lifetime. Bonds between all of us got even greater. This trip, especially, will never be forgotten, for it was the last time I would see & spend time with Beloved Mark, Linda, and Muku. I'm so glad I set my distaste for backpacking aside, otherwise I would have lived a day with regret. Had I known this would be the last time I see Mark, Linda, and Muku, I wouldn't have done anything different. Well, maybe I would have taken a swig of Fireball from Muku's flask, MAYBE. The following day was a slow and cold start. After a splash of frigid lake water on the face, a hot, hearty breakfast, we packed our day packs and headed to Green Lake, West Lake and Bergona Lake. The saying, once you've seen one lake, you've seen them all, does not apply here. Each lake offers distinct perspectives. From its location, to its surroundings, each lake seemed to get more & more stunning. IN A LOOP: While this trek is not a loop, it is a remarkably breathtaking backpacking trip. One I will never forget. The views, the experience, the quality time spent without the hustle and bustle of city life is simply invaluable. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing.